Trafalgar Makes Fancy Shawl Regalia and Dances at Powwow!

“Making reglia and being together doing this work is a spiritual journey and is all about Relationship.  The relationship between all of us here working together--the moms, the aunties, the youth, and the young ones.  What you are learning here, you will share with others just as the moms and aunties are here sharing what they have learned.  The outcome is less important than the journey and the fun and friendships we are gaining along the way.” -Donna Wright, part of the Old Ones

This journey began three years ago in clock time, when the courageous Nikita Shlakoff shared her healing Jingle Dress Dance with the entire student body of Trafalgar and many community members of Nelson.  The awed response of those gathered inspired other youth to ask, “Can we dance?  Can we make regalia?”.  This fall, we began the process.  Initially, we thought we would gather two to three times to learn how the shawl making basics, but it turned into a full year project, with the group gathering every Wednesday to make magic. 

Leau and Blake hard at work on their fabulous shawls. 

The joy and learning in the room drew more and more people to check out what was happening, ask questions, and sparked the desire in others to make their own regalia and be part of the group.  “Everyone is welcome in the circle”, Donna reminds us, and whoever is there is meant to be there. 

There have been moments of frustration but we have navigated them together keeping in mind the First Peoples’ Principles of Learning, “Learning takes Patience and Time”.  In fact, the First Peoples’ Principles of Learning have naturally been put into practice and I think everyone present has felt the depth of learning that has resulted. 

 “Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.”   “Learning involves generational roles and responsibilities.”

Many ages and stages have been present at various times in the circle, including Old One Donna and her four year-old great granddaughter as well as her granddaughters, my auntie Kathy, moms and community Knowledge Keepers Dionne Roland and Merri Levesque, and district indigenization coordinator, Jesse Halton.  We learned our first Fancy Shawl dance steps with Secwepmc dancer, Janelle Alladina. A massive thank you to all of these people for the time and care they have given to this project. 

So much gratitude for the generosity, selflessness, and patience of the moms, the aunties, and the Elders who all came together to be a part of this beautiful journey.  Pictured, Dionne and Kennedy. 

Rainbow, unicorns and Grandmother Moon-the beautiful Fancy Shawl everyone had a hand in making for our Donna. 

And a matching one for her great-granddaughter!

Alexa in process with her beautiful eagle and oh, how it turned out-to witness it in motion you could feel her ancestors smiling!

Our first practice Fancy Shawl steps together-having fun!

And finally, we dance at Powwow!

Yaqan Nuqiy Powwow was such good medicine for us all!  What a fantastic celebration of indigenous culture and brilliance.  Our Fancy Shawl group was absolutely thrilled.  We were definitely all feeling nervous but we leaned into the Grandfather Teachings of Courage and Humility.  We also recalled Donna sharing with us many times “We dance for those who can’t”. 

We are looking forward to continuing to dance and celebrate indigenous brilliance!  The group is already looking forward to dancing at our Trafalgar celebration on National Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Submitted by Jaclyn Dexter - Aboriginal Academic Success Teacher