With their colourful regalia, skilled performances and dedication to their craft, the group from Kawacatoose First Nation are often a highlight of any event they take part in.
Normally, that would include the annual Treaty Four Gathering, the popular powwow and series of First Nations events that has taken place in the late summer for the past 30 years in the Qu’Appelle Valley.
Unfortunately, like every other event of its kind, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Gathering’s cancellation — but that hasn’t kept organizers from partnering with supporters, including the Saskatchewan Culture Recreation and Sports Districts, to bring things into a virtual arena.
That includes the aforementioned Littletent and his crew, who are featured in a series of videos offering instruction and information with just about everything to do with powwows and the always-impressive performances.
The videos — which run about 15 minutes each and are available for streaming on YouTube throughout the Treaty Four Gathering from Sept. 15 through 17 — feature information on a variety of dance traditions, regalia, drumming and singing, with members of the Dancing Horse Troupe showing their stuff.
Hand and Powwow Drums and Teachings features the protocols of drums and singing along with traditional teachings, while Men’s and Women’s Traditional Dancing features Troupe members Tiny and Raven performing their respective specialties, and Jingle Dress and Grass Dance showing off Blueberry Girl and Dennis with their versions of the aforementioned dances.
All are free to watch and are designed for an age-appropriate classroom environment.
In addition, a host of special live virtual student activities will be held throughout the week. The events — which traditionally attract thousands of students, teachers and spectators during the live Gathering — have all be scheduled online and can be found by clicking here.
For more information, be sure to check out the Treaty Four Gathering website for a full rundown everything happening during the week.
