A world renowned hoop dancer and storyteller, “who never ceases to amaze,” was in the Kamsack area performing with the hoops while telling his audiences how rich his First Nation heritage is.
Terrance Littletent of the Kawacatoose Cree Nation visited the Victoria School and Kamsack Comprehensive Institute students at the KCI and the students at Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex and Keeseekoose Chiefs Education Centre on February 12, facilitated by the Parkland Regional Library and Carol Marriott of Kamsack, the Library’s literacy co-ordinator.
Later in the week, Littletent, joined by his brother Jason, a drummer and singer, performed in Foam Lake, Kelliher, Punnichy, Churchbridge, Langenburg and Yorkton.
This is Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month, Marriott explained. For Aboriginal people, storytelling is both a gift, and a very old custom, sanctioned by the people to teach, entertain and remember.
Throughout February, First Nations and Métis storytelling events are held in schools, libraries, and community organizations throughout Saskatchewan and Littletent performed at schools within the Parkland Regional Library area.
Born in Regina, Littletent inherited much of his traditional teachings through family and elders, singers and dancers, storytellers and academics, said information from the Library. He has traveled across Canada, the United States, and overseas, sharing his gift of song, dance, and narrative, in a humble way.
At the age of six, Littletent had already been introduced to the traditional techniques and movement skills used to create his own dance choreography, the information said. By the age of eight, his uncle, Kirby Littletent, presented him with the gift of the hoop, which inspired him to continue his uncle’s legacy of sharing the ways of their people.
Eleven years later, Terrance was recognized as a World Renowned Hoop Dancer. As an educator, producer, and performer, Terrance continues to find ways to bridge traditional and contemporary dance.
Hoop dancing is a way of life, Littletent told his audiences. “I have been dancing 28 years and it is my passion to share my culture as a dancer, writer and actor.”
Littletent said that stories of Mother Earth are told through the hoops and include the sun, moon, earth, clouds and animals.
The spirit of the animals are in the hoops, he said, adding that when he works with a collection of 17 hoops it is a reference to the sacred eagle, which takes 17 weeks from hatching to fledging the nest.
At the Cote school, Littletent talked of his having been raised in an alcoholic environment and his learning to dance was his escape.
For 14 years, libraries, schools and organizations across Saskatchewan have been hosting
Aboriginal storytelling events throughout the month of February, the information said. In 2018, over 330 storytelling sessions will bring Aboriginal teachings, culture and entertainment through various forms of telling stories to over 20,000 participants of all ages and backgrounds.
The winter timing for Aboriginal storytellingobserves the First Nations traditional time for storytelling, it said. The intent is to increase province-wide cultural activity levels of Aboriginal peoples; have Elders and Aboriginal storytellers demonstrate the cultural and historical value of storytelling; and foster storytelling partnerships through joint planning with outside agencies and resources. The project involves schools, libraries, local agencies, universities, colleges and Aboriginal based organizations.
“I would like to commend the Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples Inc. for sustaining (Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month) since 2003 and for providing opportunities for Saskatchewan residents to celebrate Aboriginal culture by promoting and preserving oral tradition, Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Education, told Harriet Roy, chair of Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples Inc.
“I am pleased with the success of this initiative in 2017 and commend you for the good work you are doing by bringing people together, promoting literacy in our province and ensuring that Saskatchewan’s rich Aboriginal oral traditions and literature are preserved for future generations,” Eyre said.
