Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan
Northern Shadow Dancers fresh from Japan.
Thank-you my friends, if it were not for the support of Canada we would not have been offered the chance to go to Japan. We showed our best dances and made Canada proud of the First Nations talent Canada has to offer
Amazing! And I will say it again...amazing. Coming from Canada you see people in cities here but in the cities in Japan, you have the people but none of the pollution and messiness of the city. One thing I learned from Expo was how hybrid cars and new technology can improve your environment. There were no smelly diesel buses or stinky gas cars, all the vehicles we saw were brand new, no older models on the streets. Little garbage was anywhere on the streets of Nagoya or Sakae and the expo site. Even the homeless had jobs, it was their job to recycle any goods they find on the streets.
A sea of cement dotted with burly tuft trees. That is a good explanation of the busy metro areas. Tall buildings with unique decoration of animatronic objects like a dancing crab or spiderman hanging from the side of a shoe store. One amazing thing I saw throughout the cities there, people left items like decorations or store displays out in the open while the store was closed, here at home, nothing would be left. A society built around respect and proper greetings is something we could adopt at home. More stories to tell, so many to shake a stick at.
Expo 2005
April 5th was the big date for Canadians at Expo. It was Canada day, a chance for our country to showcase the talent we have to offer. There were some really big names, Corneille ( a international star) who sang in French, Jeremy Fischer ( a up and coming musical performer), and the biggest name, Alanis Morrisette. The dance group was lucky enough to be asked to do a simple smudge ceremony for Alanis before her afternoon show. We were all scared a little, not having the chance to practice on the stage before show time. The time came and we all went out, Farrah held the sweetgrass and lit it while I prepared my fan, she passed me the sweetgrass and I smudged her and myself then Alanis came out. I wasn't really freaked until she looked right into my eyes with this look. It is hard to describe, like a innocence of wonder and respect all combined into one gaze. We bowed to each other, we did not talk, I smudged her and swept the eagle fan over her back to cleanse all sides of her. It was done, simple and elegant.
What can be said about this experience, it was a hurdle to get some of our dancers there, through that I learned patience. Getting the last minute performance prep and packing what I needed in Japan, I learned that no matter how swamped I get, a deep breath and a it will happen if I want it to attitude will get me though anything. Everyone grew from this experience. Thankful for being Canadian and knowing who we are. That our culture keeps us strong and gives us opportunities in life if we want them. The group has been together for 15 years. The next generation of NSD is training now and in 5 years all the children will be teenagers, ready for the big time and travel the world.
Special Events
Northern Shadow Dancers are looking for new talent to make our dance troupe really shine to the world! If you are interested in stage production, travelling and learning more about the entertainment world please e-mail me at teadancer2003@hotmail.com. In the header please say NSD so it will not be deleted. The only thing we ask of a dancer is to be well prepared in their style of dancing, have at least 2 outfits, willingness to travel and be eligible for a passport. Thanks and have a great day! 'Dancing in the Shadow of our Ancestors'
