Indigenous Education

WEDNESDAY Louis Riel Week: Jig ‘n’ Time with Dean Davis

February 8, 2023

Join us on Wednesday, February 15th for the Jig ‘n’ Time workshop with Dean Davis at the Indigenous Support Centre F209 at NDC from 5pm to 8pm. Grab your dancing shoes and learn to jig and square dance as part of our Louis Riel Day week-long celebration!

Dancing has been a huge part of Dean’s life for the last 20 years and for the last decade, he has trained dancers of all ages and levels in cultural Métis jigging and square dancing.

Dean has performed over 400 shows as a square dancer with well-known groups such as the Asham Stompers and the Métis Club Traditional Dancers. He has danced in Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba and made appearances in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Alberta, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

His own training began at the age of 40 at the Métis Club of Winnipeg, where he learned to jig and later began dancing with the Asham Stompers. The Asham Stompers are a synonymous dance group showcasing the Métis jig internationally.

Métis jigging is a high-energy dance that ensures mental and physical fitness. Dancing regularly provides immense benefits whether at dance lessons, practices or performances. Dean believes the best way to maintain good health and fitness is by engaging in fun and invigorating activities like jigging and square dancing.

Throughout the years, Dean has worked with many dancers at various ages who are now champion dancers are winning competitions as individuals and as dance groups. He teaches weekly at the Métis Club and holds workshops with many school divisions in Winnipeg/Manitoba

Dean strives to instill the importance of dancing into newer generations to keep this important cultural art alive and strong.

Register for the Jig ‘n’ Time workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 15 by emailing Terri-Lynn at tlanderson@rrc.ca.

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

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