KIKINO - The heritage of the Alberta Métis people was showcased at the Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic on Sunday. The Kikino Northern Lite Dancers, a Métis dance troupe, highlighted their culture through performances in front of a sold-out Commonwealth Stadium of 70,000 people in Edmonton.
Trevor White is the lead dancer of the eight-member Kikino Northern Lites. When asked how the traditional Métis dance troupe was selected to perform prior to the face-off between the Edmonton Oilers and the visiting Calgary Flames outdoors at Commonwealth Stadium, White stated it was arranged through Denise White, one of the founding members of the group, and the Métis Nation of Alberta.
“She passed on our information to them, and we went from there.”
The Kikino Northern Lites shared the entertainment stage alongside legendary Canadian rock group Nickelback, as well as the Beaches, and others during pre-game, intermission and post-game performances.
Sunday’s hockey event marked the 20th anniversary of the unique outdoor experience. The first outdoor game of its kind took place in the same stadium on Nov. 23, 2003. In that contest, 57,000 fans watched the Montreal Canadiens defeat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3.
Other NHL Classic games over the years have been held in Calgary, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Regina, with the most recent Heritage Classic taking place last year in Hamilton.
For White, who has been dancing his entire life and has been a member of the Northern Lites since childhood, being able to perform traditional Métis dances in front thousands of hockey fans in the stadium and across the country is quite an honour.
“Myself and the rest of the troupe feel extremely honoured, proud and very grateful we get the chance to experience this,” he said.
Just this past spring, the group started practicing again with four of its second-generation dancers, along with four new members, who, White says, all have their own unique stories and ties to the Métis culture.
Regarding which traditional dances they were choosing to perform at the Classic, White said it would be a game-day decision.
“We have a rehearsal the morning of game day. After that, we will know how much time we have and our placement in the program,” he explained.
The Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic is the group’s biggest stage to date. Previously, the members have performed at various festivals and events throughout Canada and even on Parliament Hill.
“I myself danced in Ottawa at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and Parliament Hill, in the Northwest Territories at the K’amba Carnival, in Winnipeg at the breakfast show on CBC, and Vancouver Island for Canada Day celebration…numerous Métis Fests, Métis Galas, Square and dancing competition throughout our previous years…but never something this big,” he said.
