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Beautiful dance reflects indigenous culture of caring

October 13th, 2021

Points West Living Cold Lake observed Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th. Residents enjoyed an indigenous dance performance, learned about first nations’ culture, and a commemorated the lost children and survivors of residential schools.

Care partner family

“On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, our care partner Carlene was kind enough to bring her parents and sister, who is an indigenous dancer, for a live dance performance,” says Recreation Therapist, Nikhil Raju.

“The dance performance was initiated by Cody, who is just 16 years old. She explained many details of residential school students and survivors, traditions and culture followed by indigenous people, and why they chose color orange to mark the day.”

Prayer dance for residents and people who are sick

“Before the performance we placed rocks which residents had painted under a tree in the courtyard,” explains Nik. “There was some smudging with cleansing smoke before the dance presentation, and an explanation that when the girl dances, she would be praying for our residents and people who are sick. It was an awesome performance, and all our residents enjoyed the dance and the whole program.”

Photo: Residents appreciate an indigenous dance performance as part of their commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at PWL Cold Lake

More photos at Flickr: Beautiful dance reflects indigenous culture of caring