Bear Clan Entrance Dance
This is a very special potlatch entrance song hosted by the Bear clan in Burns Lake B.C. as it was the Headstone feast for my late aunty Martha Crouse who also held a Hereditary Chief name. My aunty Martha had a heart of gold and was a great loss to our whole community as she was known as 'Burns Lake Mom' to many. Family, Friends, Hereditary Chiefs, and Honorary Guests participated in this two Headstone potlatch feast as another family member of the Bear clan also celebrated their loved one as well. Dancing in to the potlatch hall is started by spouses first then followed by children and grandchildren of the Bear clan who dress up, or wear blankets with money to help pay expenses. I am also taking part in this entrance dance as my Grandma, and Father are both from the Bear Clan. The potlatch system is a very strong cultural practice that I am proud to be apart of, and participate in from our Carrier Culture.
Mesiy - Thank you!
For someone like me has never been a part of such celebration, it seems quite amazing that a whole community of people would dance together in this way. I certainly see how renewing such rituals is likely to strengthen the community. I also see how very damaging it was when politicians tried to stop these kinds of rituals. First Nations children can learn about the way that dance is used in their culture to bring people together in their grief, so that they know that they are supported and the good life of the person that has been lost is remembered. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's neat Rosalie. I think that's such a beautiful, active way to come together as a group to heal. It was also fun watching for people that I know! I saw a couple! :)
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ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect way to teach students about the bah'lats, the video will be your hook for your lesson. Combine the Fine Arts (performance) and Social Studies (aboriginal content) in the lesson so you will be teaching the students the song, dance, and the bah'lats. I enjoyed listening to the traditional singers in your video. Thanks for sharing Rosalie! :)
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