By Charlene Tebbutt

Young Métis jiggers perform at Indigen-ICE Day

Jan 21, 2019 | 4:00 PM

The third day of curling action at the 2019 New Holland Canadian Junior Curling Championships kicked off with a cultural moment, with Métis jiggers taking to the ice to perform Monday afternoon.  

Monday was Indigen-ICE day at the Art Hauser Centre, with cultural performances planned for the afternoon and evening, ahead of the day’s draws. Young dancers from Riverside Community School performed jigs and dances for the crowd before curling action got underway.

More performances are planned for Monday evening, with drumming and singing happening at 6:15 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre.

Trish Bibby, director of communications with the Canadian juniors curling event, said the day’s performances are a tribute to the strong Métis ties in the local community.

“It’s important to recognize Prince Albert’s deep Indigenous heritage on this journey towards reconciliation,” she said. “I want those curlers out there that are of Indigenous heritage to feel welcome and to feel like they have a connection here in Prince Albert.”

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Bonny Johnson is a teacher who also manages the jigging program at Riverside Community School. The program has been in the school for about seven years and works with students from Grades 1 to 7.

What started as an after-school activity to keep kids active has grown to include dozens of students who perform regularly around the community at various events, Johnson said. This year, the group has 55 dancers.

“It gives them an opportunity to be a star, to work as a team,” Johnson added. “You can’t do a square dance with one or two kids not doing their job.”

The 2019 New Holland Canadian Junior Curling Championships run until Jan. 27 in Prince Albert.

Young dancers from Riverside Community School performed a Metis jig this afternoon at the Canadian Junior Curling Championships at the Art Hauser Centre. Drumming and singing tonight at 6:15 PM. It’s all part of the event’s Indigen-ICE day. More later on @princealbertnow pic.twitter.com/W7pYrAYrhu

— Charlene Tebbutt (@CharleneTebbutt) January 21, 2019

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt