Hoop dancing a wonderful art

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/10/2017 (2962 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Each year, hoop dancers from all over North America gather at the Heard Museum in Phoenix for the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest.

The 28th annual event is coming up Feb. 10 to 11, 2018, with men, women, and children of all ages gathering together to compete for cash prizes and the prestigious “world champion” title.

One by one, dancers await their turn to take the circle, dressed in colourful regalia laden with intricate beadwork, and flowing with feathers and tassels. Each outfit tells a story, donning patterns that reflect aspects of a dancer’s own Indigenous culture. Then, the drumming starts. The dancer moves in time with the beat, performing their own variation and modern interpretation of traditional movements, and implementing hoops — as few as four, to as many as 50 — into their dance.

For the audience, hoop dancing is a truly stunning spectacle, and an amazing display of timing, precision, athleticism, and grace. For the dancer, it’s a craft passed down from previous generations, and a great honour to continue sharing the tradition.

Dallas Arcand from Morinville, Alta., is a three-time world hoop dance champion who has been dancing for 26 years. He describes his style as a blend of traditional and contemporary, with an eclectic combination of powwow, breakdancing, Métis dancing, and traditional steps.

“My style is simply connecting to the hoop dance spirit, and becoming one with it to create that fluidity like water when I move to the beat of the drum,” he said.

Arcand keeps it fresh by creating new moves, new formations, new routines, and more versatile ways of utilizing the hoops.

“Recently I’d become motivated to get back to the original roots of hoop dancing by creating a more authentic hoop dance outfit and by using the original style red willow hoops.”

After three stunning performances in the 2017 competition, Arcand captured third place in the hard-fought adult division. He plans to return to Phoenix in 2018 to try again for another championship title.
Another Canadian dancer who strives for authenticity is Celina Cada-Matasawagon from Manitoulin Island, Ont. She placed third in the Senior Division in 2017, and sees hoop dancing as a great way to showcase her Indigenous identity.

“What motivates me is the love I have for the dance, and that I can represent my people. I also dance for the youth to try and help them see a better future. Being a role model for others is very important to me. I feel that our youth need more role models to show them that our culture is important — more important than all the negative influences around them.”

“I’m inspired by seeing more young women starting to pick up the hoops. I remember a time when there were only a few female hoop dancers, and I look around today and we are seeing more and more every year. I always hope to inspire more female dancers to keep going, pushing themselves, and not to give up.”

The Heard Museum is an ideal location for the world hoop dancing championships. It was founded in 1929 by Dwight and Maie Bartlett Heard, a prominent couple who moved to the valley from Chicago in 1895, and who wanted to share their private collection of Indigenous artifacts and art.

Since then, the museum has grown in size and stature to where it is recognized internationally for the quality of its collections and educational programming.  Today, its mission is to educate about Indigenous peoples of the Americas, and it’s considered one of the most renowned destinations for learning about American Indian arts and culture.

RoseAnna Schick is an avid traveller who seeks inspiration wherever she goes. Email her at rascreative@yahoo.ca