Read the March 2026 issue of mithwâyâwin – NCN Family & Community Wellness Centre’s bi-monthly health and wellness news update.
Featured Story
4th Annual Round Dance
On the date of march 8, 2026. The Family Wellness and Community Centre held their 4th annual round dance. Which had a superb turnout and attendance. During the opening remarks facilitator and Chief Executive Officer explained the significance of holding such and event. Singers had come in to the community from
Alberta and shared their songs, each of which hold different meanings. There was opening songs, songs of thanks, forgiveness, celebration of life, healing, as well as memorial songs.
Those in attendance were and are usually encouraged to dance, not only for themselves. But, also for those that are unable to be there in person. Or those that have even gone to the spirit world. Through tradition and beliefs, we are able to sustain our culture. We carry our ancestors and loved ones in our everyday lives through teachings, traditions and memories.
All across North America, Native American nations have come together to perform various round dances throughout the ages. Usually held during the colder autumn and winter months indoors, they have been used as a central focus of various gatherings designed for socialization and community building.
Understanding the meaning of round dance events can give you a unique perspective into the history and modern take on these shared traditions. Almost every event or cultural practice you can find Native Americans doing today has its roots in days long gone by. The same is true for round dances.
Round Dances are performed by First Peoples all across North America. The Plains Cree hold their Round Dances in the fall and winter, once the hunting and trapping seasons are over. Usually held indoors, these night-time events occur on weekends and special days such as New Year’s Eve and Boxing Day. Usually, Round Dance gatherings are one night in duration, although occasionally they may last for two nights in a row. The gathering starts in the evening sometime between 8 and 10, and lasts until 3 or 4 in the morning. Similar to other social gatherings, prohibition of drugs and alcohol emphasizes a clean and healthy lifestyle at Round Dances.
According to some sources, the Plains Cree received this dance in the late 19th century from the Assiniboine, who called it the Moving Slowly Dance. Originally a healing dance, it became a social dance, and in its current form serves both social and ceremonial functions. Often sponsored by a family or community organization, either as a memorial gathering or a primarily social event, Round Dance celebrations vary from community to community. When sponsored as a memorial service, the event includes prayers, round dancing, a giveaway and a ceremonial feast, to balance the social and ceremonial goals of the sponsors.
The main dancing style seen at this Cree gathering is round dancing. Its accompaniment consists of a group of singers striking hand drums in unison. The dancers join hands to form a large circle, symbolically indicating the equality of all people in the circle. The dancers move to their left with a side shuffle step to reflect the long-short pattern of the drumbeat, bending their knees to emphasize the pattern.
Staff members from the HR department, maintenance, land base and other departments came together collaboratively to lend a helping hand to make this event a success. There was over 218 people from in and out of the community in attendance. The round dance was also live streamed on our Facebook page reaching well over 165K views. Providing positive feedback as well as acknowledgement gives us the insight that we have reached a plateau in achieving what was set out in years pertaining to such events.
Read the March 2026 issue of mithwâyâwin for the full story.
IN THIS ISSUE:
- PERSONAL JOURNEY: Lace up for Running Club – Pg. 5
- FAMILY SUPPORT: Safe Sleep Week: March 9-13 – Pg. 14
- COMMUNITY HEALTH: February is Heart Health Month – Pg. 4
- NCNFCWC Recognizes Social Workers During Social Work Month
- Keep Your Community Safe and Your Dogs Tied Up or in Your Home
- Increased Measle Cases in Manitoba
- What’s The Deal With Kidneys?
- Chill Times at Staff Ice Fishing Derby
- Become An FCWC Employee
- NCN & FCWC Support Services Links & Contacts
- Potassium: Building Blocks To A Healthier You
- Great Turnout At Job Fair
Read the March 2026 issue of mithwâyâwin – NCN Family & Community Wellness Centre’s bi-monthly health and wellness news update.
