Champion hoop dancer shares culture with students from all over world
CBC News | Posted: June 19, 2015 3:07 AM | Last Updated: March 26, 2018
Champion hoop dancer Terrance Littletent has been teaching students from all over the world
World champion hoop dancer Terrance Littletent is sharing his culture with students at Thomson Community School in Regina.
Littletent has been working as a cultural advisor to the school for much of the year. He has been working with students a couple of mornings each week teaching traditional drumming, singing and dancing.
Nicholas Goodwill is one of Littletent's students.
Goodwill said he enjoys sharing his culture with classmates from other countries.
"People didn't know powwows existed and we taught them at this school. It's awesome," he said.
Approximately 75 per cent of students at Thomson School are aboriginal, but arts education teacher Adrienne Mahoney said many have no connection to their culture.
"I think it's very important to honour their culture and make them feel as though they have a place in this school and their identity can be valued," said Mahoney.
Mahoney said students' attendance and behaviour have improved since Littletent started working with the kids, and Mahoney said she's seen the biggest change in some of her older male students.
"Our boys specifically have really come to life. I think they see a role model in Terrance," said Mahoney.
Littletent and Mahoney worked with the students to plan the school's first ever powwow. The powwow is in celebration of National Aboriginal Day and it's taking place at Thomson Community School on June 19. Grand Entry is at 11 a.m. CST.