Round Dance pays tribute to students and education

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On the eighth floor of Edmonton's Alberta Vocational College, drum beats, heart beats and excitement filled the air as guests, staff and volunteers enjoyed a round dance hosted by the college's Aboriginal Liaison Services.

The dance was held on Feb. 27 in honor of AVC's Aboriginal students. According to Brenda Rylands, Aboriginal liaison worker at the college, the idea for the theme of the round dance - Education: Honoring the Circle of Life - was based on the Aboriginal medicine wheel, which pertains to the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual beliefs of all Indigenous people.

"It has been my goal to do good things in my work, and playing a role in providing a significant support service at AVC as an Aboriginal student liaison worker is what I like to do," said Rylands who first began working at the college in 1997.

Round dances are recognized in the Aboriginal community as events that give people a chance to get together and celebrate. The dance always includes a prayer, group singers and drummers, a feast and a lot of dancing.

The celebration also gives the Native community a chance to honor its Elders and special guests.

A feast of moose stew and bannock was served by AVC students, staff, and a group of boy scouts from the Lynnwood area. A give-away was included, which is a custom at round dances.

Before the dance the college honored Keith Nixon who was a former senior instructor at Alberta Vocational College, Stony Plain campus, and has worked closely with the Aboriginal community for the past 12 years. According to Rylands, Nixon took the time to attend Aboriginal functions around the area, and went hunting with some of the students from the Alexis reserve.

The work of Elder Christine Daniels and Doctor Wayne Shillington were recognized at the dance as well. Daniels, who is originally from the Saddle Lake Reserve, is the widow of the late Stan Daniels, who was the president of the Metis Association. Christine Daniels started to work with AVC in December 1998 as Elder and mentor for the Aboriginal students.

Doctor Wayne Shillington is the director of the college. Prior to his coming to the college, he was the director of business planning and evaluation for Advanced Education and Career Development.

"One of the things I'm looking forward to in the next few years is a much better understanding of the Aboriginal culture in the community," said Shillington.

Master of ceremonies for the evening was Doug Bonaise. His father, Alfred Bonaise, was the Elder.

Prizes for the essay and poem contests were also handed out at the dance. The essay contest winners were Crystal Lorie and Rhonda Spence. They wrote on what the topic, Education: The circle of life, meant to them.

The following poem was written by Micheal Tiessen, the winner in the poem contest.

Eyes Opened

Tall grey structure seal a tomb, of my people's appending doom.

Hundreds of years have passed since we were full of spirit and absolutely free.

What will it take for us to be heard?

The answer lies in simple words.

There is a future that I can see.

Perhaps that future begins with me.

To school ourselves and learn these things, will help us to soar on invisible wings.

So come Brothers and Sisters, lets raise the mast, but let us not forget our past.

A past of pride and courage too can be found inside of you.

Let's take up arms by joining hands, and see right through the others' plans.

While they Steal today without any Sorrow, we will rise soon and have tomorrow.