VIDEO: Northern dance troop excited to kick it up at Telemiracle

“They like giving back to the community. These are not kids that come from very rich families or anything. They have some struggles in their life. Dance just makes them really happy, builds their self- esteem. They like taking on new challenges. Going on provincial TV is just really big for them,” said Bear.

Cole Ballantyne, 18, has been dancing with the group for six years. He said that dancing is an outlet for him.

“When I’m about to dance I get nervous but when I’m out there, I don’t even picture anybody. I just, get really happy. It’s just the best feeling in the world, I can say, like for myself. I feel happy when I’m dancing. When I’m feeling down and blue and everything, dancing makes me feel a lot better about myself,” he said.

According to Ballantyne, being involved with the dance team is what got him where he is today, giving him something to believe in, and keeping him focused. He said that without it, he most likely would’ve ended up getting in to drugs and being part of a gang.

“I just had no respect for myself before I was on the team. Now that I can give back to the community, it actually makes me feel like I’m doing something good. For once in my life I’m actually doing something right, and not messing it up all the time,” said Ballantyne.

Ballantyne said he's really looking forward to Telemiracle.

“I can’t wait. I’ve been waiting for this for the past few months now. I’m kind of nervous actually because I’m going to be on live TV,” he said.

He said he hopes that their team can inspire other people to “achieve their dreams. It’s not too hard as long as you put your mind to it and work hard for it.”

Ballantyne said he hopes more young kids will join the team at practices so they can teach them their jigs. Recently, two eight year olds have been coming to train with the high school students. He said there isn’t much traditional dancing in the area, and he wants people to have the opportunity to keep it going.

One of their goals as a group going in to the next year is “as Aboriginal and Metis [people], to keep that tradition alive and never let it die,” said Ballantyne.

Jocelyn Linklater, 19, has been dancing with the team for four years now.

“It’s fun, and it’s good to meet up with the whole group because they’re like family,” she said.

Dancing has also turned her life around she said. At one point, she was drinking too heavily to show dedication to the team and was kicked off, but after having a baby she realized that she had to refocus her life. Soon she got back on the team and she said she is much happier now. This year she is looking forward to graduating.

She also recently sang at the Voices of the North shows. This weekend’s performance on Telemiracle couldn't have come soon enough for her.

“I’m super excited, like ever since we auditioned for it. It was pretty exciting when we heard we got a spot on the show. Being seen by people all over Saskatchewan, it’s pretty awesome,” said Linklater, “I was like screaming…and I just couldn’t wait. But it’s going to be in a couple days so it’s pretty exciting.”

She hopes that the audience really enjoys their performance, and that they can make other people happy. She looks forward to shows because of the response they often get.

“Just good positive vibes; to feel good, like how we feel when we’re dancing. Just to see their smiles and stuff,” said Linklater.

Linklater said she is so proud to share a part of her culture with the rest of the province by doing traditional dances.

“You don’t really see much of it. What we’re doing, square-dancing, it’s going to be the first time that they’ve ever seen square-dancing on Telemiracle so it’s pretty awesome,” she said.

The Northern Prairie Dancers have performed at various other events in Western Canada, including the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards, and Voices of the North.

They also enjoy volunteering to perform at seniors homes around the city.

According to Bear, the training sessions are very relaxed. Membership is free and they try and meet every Sunday that they aren’t performing.

The Northern Prairie Dancers will be performing at Telemiracle in Regina on Sunday between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

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by Alex Soloducha

VIDEO: Northern dance troop excited to kick it up at Telemiracle

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