Eleven students graduate from Anishinabe Performance Circle
2/12/2015 4:00:00 PM - Tribal Observer

Natalie Shattuck, Editor 

After 12 weeks of classes, 11 students aged 4 to 12 graduated from the Anishinabe Performance Circle at the Broadway Theatre in downtown Mount Pleasant, Mich. on Dec. 16.

The graduates Brook Brown, Brielle Brown, Samantha D’Artagnan, Kathlyn Dunn-Anderson, Mia Marie Floyd, Jordan Aaliyah Floyd, Katie Green, David Jackson, Nadia Mills, Landen Roulett and Bree Sprague learned Anishinabe dances and traditions throughout the weeks.

Ziibiwing Center’s Assistant Director Judy Pamp, Visitor Service Coordinator Renata Borton and Visitor Service Representative Raymond Cadotte were on stage to assist the students.

            “Every Tuesday, the students came to class with an exuberant energy to learn, and for the 12 weeks, they learned about proper etiquette of Anishinabe dance,” Borton said. “The students would try new moves each week to improve upon their skills, and put so much heart into learning their style of dance that when graduation came around, they shined.”

            The 11 students were also assisted by two teen volunteers, Kylie Fisher and Abbie Nahdee, and ZC Youth Worker Zack Jackson.

            “The class performed a Grand Entry, Swan Dance (for the girl dancers), Boy Song, Girl Song, Inter-Tribal, Hoop Dance, Ojibwa Song and introduced themselves,” Borton said. “The kids worked so hard at overcoming their fear of public speaking by practicing each week in the language to introduce themselves and sing our traditional songs. Triumph was shown in each of their faces.”

            According to Borton, the Anishinabe Performance Circle is “aimed at promoting and enhancing positive self-images of all children through the use of traditional Anishinabe arts (storytelling, dance, music and language), and preparing youth as leaders in a multicultural society.”

            “Our volunteers showed great leadership strength in helping with this next generation’s understanding of traditions,” she said. “Our traditions are strong and our next generations are growing into amazing individuals. We are very proud of our youth and all their hard work. We would also like to say chi-miigwetch to the families of these students because they are keeping our traditions alive and strong.”

            The current Performance Circle is celebrating 10 years of traditions through songs, dance, storytelling and language.

            “We are excited to see returning students and new students come participate in our Anishinabe Performance Circle so we can continue to build our future generations’ traditional knowledge,” she said.

            Performance Circle is sponsored by ZC and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Housing Department.