A local dancer has been given one of the highest honours for aboriginal dancers in North America. Jayda Gadwa was selected as this year's Head Young Lady Dancer at the 33rd annual Gathering of Nations Powwow.
A local dancer has been given one of the highest honours for aboriginal dancers in North America.
Jayda Gadwa was selected as this year's Head Young Lady Dancer at the 33rd annual Gathering of Nations Powwow. A fancy shawl dancer from Kehewin Cree Nation, Gadwa will be performing in front of tens of thousands of people from throughout the United States and Canada when they come together to celebrate their culture and traditions.
"It was a tremendous honour for me, it's been my dream to be asked to be Head Young Lady. I am truly humbled to be chosen for this position," said Gadwa.
At 18-years-old, Gadwa has been dancing since she was a young child - starting in tiny tots and working her way up to adult women's junior fancy.
"I've been dancing ever since I was able to walk. My mom started me out and ever since then I've been hooked. I love dancing, it's my passion."
Now, the local dancer gets to share her talent with others while celebrating her heritage.
Each year, over 700 tribes from across North America and around the world gather at what's known as The Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a powwow showcasing Native American dance, music, arts, crafts and cuisine. The three-day Gathering of Nations event will include more than 3,000 traditional Native American dancers and 50 drum groups competing. It will also feature more than 800 aboriginal artisans, craftsmen and traders displaying their work.
The head man and head lady, as well as head young man and head young lady dancers are selected based on their knowledge of traditions and dancing experience. As the head young lady, Gadwa will serve as a role model for other young dancers in the competition.
"The Gathering of Nations is proud to announce Jayda Gadwa as this year's Head Young Lady Dancer. The head dancers are role models for their tribes and the Gathering of Nations, and serve as educators of Native American culture," said Derek Mathews, founder of the Gathering of Nations.
In addition to representing her community and family, Gadwa will be one of the first in the Grand Entries and will be hosting a White Shawl Fancy Dance Special on April 29. The dance will showcase the evolution of the traditional fancy dance, honouring and memorializing missing and murdered indigenous women throughout the world.
"You go down and have a special in your category. You give back to the circle, giving away prizes, money and blankets. I have to be involved in everything that goes on there," explained Gadwa.
Still in high school, Gadwa has already achieved her goal as a dancer with this title. While aspiring to attend university to become a dental assistant the head young lady dancer, expressed she won't be giving up her dancing anytime soon - and she hopes other girls will follow in her footsteps.
"I believe that without our culture, aboriginal people are nothing. I hope the next generations learn our language and traditions because without our language our traditions are nothing."
Gadwa and her family have been hard at work fundraising for their trip down to the Gathering of Nations. To try and gather the last funds needed before heading south, she will be hosting a steak dinner at the Players Lounge on April 21 at 6:30.
