Round Dances
In response to a recommendation made by the Saskatchewan Committee on Indigenous Library Services (SCILS), Saskatchewan public libraries hosted 4 provincial Round Dances from 2008-2011.
Dates, Locations:
March 14, 2008 – Saskatoon Public Library
White Buffalo Youth Lodge, 602 20 St W, Saskatoon
February 27, 2009 – Regina Public Library
Regina Performing Arts Centre, 1077 Angus Street, Regina
February 26, 2010 – Southeast Regional Library, Parkland Regional Library
White Calf Gym, Wa-pii-moos-toosis Indian Reserve, Lebret
February 12, 2011 – Wapiti Regional Library
Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre, PAGC 851-23 St W, Prince Albert
Average Attendance & Participation Statistics:
|
Feast |
300+ |
Provincial Dignitaries |
2 |
|
Round Dance |
500+ |
Other library systems |
10 |
|
Give Away |
400+ |
Volunteers |
25 |
|
Elders |
25 |
Donations |
5 (organizations) |
|
Speakers |
4 |
Male Singers |
50 |
|
Staff |
11 |
Female Singers |
25 |
|
Provincial Library |
6 |
|
|
Hosting and participating in a round dance is an effective way for the provincial public library system to act as a bridge between cultures. By making sincere efforts to reach out to Indigenous people and communities, public libraries hope to open the door for new developments in library services that welcome Indigenous people, and to allow them to become acquainted with the public library system. Libraries join other organizations across the province, such as the RCMP and Reconciliation Saskatchewan, in hosting round dances and other ceremonial events.
Traditional protocol around round dance states that the ceremony takes place at night, during winter months. Often, planning committees and sponsors commit to 4 years, but that is not necessary.
Round Dances
Cultural Day
Round Dances were not traditionally held in the North. In response to the province-wide recommendation, the Pahkisimon Nuyeʔáh Library System planned and hosted a Cultural Day initiative in 2012 in La Ronge.
