Dancing Spirit
Located on the traditional lands of the
Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil- Waututh people's
About Us
About us
We bring authentic, joyful, and knowledgeable experience's.
We come from different tribes located all over Turtle Island (So called Canada & USA.)
Our mission is to help bring an upbeat experience with a fun way of learning, sharing, and growing our communities stronger.
About Us
Brooke Metchewais
Brooke Metchewais is a nêhiyawiskwêw (Plains Cree woman), from atakamew-sakihikan (Cold Lake) First Nations located in Alberta, Treaty 6 Territory.
Brooke grew up in Fort McMurray, Alberta where she competed at a high level in hockey, soccer, basketball and volleyball. Coming from a strong athletic background, she believes that movement is a way to show gratitude to your body, mind and spirit. Brooke developed some of her skills on a professional level in college, allowing her to coach for the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) and the Western Canada Summer Games. Specializing in long-term athlete development, she currently offers youth clinics for golf, which has taken her to many communities across Turtle Island.
Growing up in Fort McMurray, she spent summers on her mooshum’s farm in Cold Lake where she was able to learn her ceremony ways and stay connected to her roots at a young age. However, moving away from her home community and her late grandfather’s passing made it difficult to practice her nêhiyawêwin (Cree language), to ask questions about her family ties and to stay connected to her culture as a young adult.
Brooke recently started dancing powwow and dances the Ladies Jingle category, particularly Old Style Jingle. She is empowered to continue her journey as a dancer and facilitator, but also to continue her professional work in Indigenous Health Services. Brooke proudly represents her community as she advocates for culture and language revitalization by keeping our families and communities together.
Rebecca Sangwais
Rebecca Sangwais is Cree and Saulteaux from the Ochapowace First Nation but grew up on the Sakimay First Nation both located in southern Saskatchewan in the Treaty 4 territory.
Rebecca dances the Ladies Fancy Shawl and has been dancing for 25+ years. Dancing Fancy is one of her true passions and an integral part of her identity. “Dancing has grounded me and allowed me to stay connected to my roots. I was taught when we dance, we dance for healing and good health, for those that can’t dance and our ancestors that have went on.”
Rebecca has travelled extensively throughout Canada and the U.S. to many Powwows, and across seas to perform in Italy and Scotland. She has performed alongside A Tribe Called Red, Dj Shub, Cris Derksen, the Indspire Awards and the North American Indigenous Games. “I am very grateful to share my love of culture and continue carrying on traditions.“
Larissa Healey
Larissa Healey (they/them) is Anishinaabe from Peguis First Nation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Treaty 1 Territory. They grew up all over the world settling in Vancouver, BC. Larissa is a visual artist and dancer.
Their Spirit Name is Little Dancing Bear (Oogokwi Nimikoonz). Larissa dances the Grass Dance and has been dancing for 16 years. Larissa shares from their experience as a 60 scoop warrior and holds space as a 2 Spirit representative.
The responsibility of a grass dancer is to provide opening for the grounds blessings and setting the tone in a good way. Larissa honors our ancestors, those that can't dance and uplifts those who have passed. They also advocate for those with visual and non-visual disabilities.
Larissa's visual art is inspired by the Natural world, Anishinaabe culture, street culture and the 7 teachings. Their work has been presented by Heart of City Festival, BeatNation, National Gallery of Canada, Bill Reid Gallery and many other galleries.
Additionally they have created 120+ murals on the streets of Vancouver. Larissa has represented grass dance and artisans in Canada and U.S.A. They have worked with the City of Vancouver for 17 years in restorative justice.
"Ceremony is first for the grass dancer doing extensive work has been both a honor and pleasure the healing works continue in our rich culture and traditions"
Chi Miigwech, Little Dancing Bear
Peter White
Peter White comes from the Yaqan Nukiy tribe (Creston, BC), which is apart of the Ktunaxa Nation (Kootenay).
Around the age of nine, he started out dancing in the Grass category, but due to moving away from his home community and many other obstacles, he stopped dancing after three years.
When Peter was diagnosed with cancer in his top of my right foot of May 2016. His first reaction, which is normal, was "why me?" -
But when he was driving home from the BC Cancer Agency, he just knew this was his sign that he needed a change in his life and this was a push off the ledge that started to make everything fall into place.
For sometime before he was diagnosed, he like many others had the thought someday I will start powwow dancing. He started to attend local powwows on weekends, started to meet people in the community, but he kept pushing it off for the “right time.”
Life is always giving us signs, we just tend to overlook them, Peter knew in his gut that this was my sign.
He is a Men’s traditional dancer, the dance originates from the Sioux people (Lakota, Dakota, Nakoda.) It’s one of the oldest known dances to Turtle island, it is a war dance.
This dance touched him because he is a warrior myself, being a cancer survivor, someone who was once homeless due to his addiction to alcoholism and depression this dance has helped bring out the inner warrior in him.
He has now travelled over North American sharing and learning the Men's Northern traditional dance, he has opened up for gatherings such as S&B on the fly in YVR airport, Canada Day celebrations, been Interviewed by Local News, and has been in a movie that showcased his dancing.
suʔkni (thank you) Taxa
Pavel Desjarlais
Pavel is a very well-known and respected Powwow dancer that has competed, showcased and performed all over North America and overseas. E.g. Australia. Pavel has more than 10 years of Powwow dance training and experience. He is known for his championship calibre First Nations dancing in various styles including Grass, Chicken, and Traditional. Powwow dancing, being a traditional Indigenous sport, has taken Pavel many years to master.
Pavel grew up around many influential Indigenous role models that helped shape him to become who he is today: a young man dedicated to his craft of Powwow Dance paired with characteristics of perseverance and determination.. Pavel is passionate about modeling positive values and a healthy lifestyle so that the younger generation will be inspired to keep the Indigenous culture and traditions alive. Pavel works with school districts to empower and encourage indigenous young people to promote a holistic healthy lifestyle and to perpetuate the First Nations culture.