Traditional Games and Dance @ Home

TRADITIONAL GAMES

Traditional games are passed down through generations. Since play knows no age we hope everyone has fun, young and old. Traditionally, games have been played to celebrate the good times and to heal during the not so great times. We hope that you are taking a moment each day to move and play. Here are a few traditional ways to stay healthy and active.

• Active For Life - Has Five Indigenous games to play with your children to check out like One Foot High Kick, Snow Snake, Make the Stick Jump and more.
• Sport for Life – Released an interesting article, Celebrating Indigenous Physical Literacy
• High Five - Indigenous Games for Children From 10 Indigenous Communities Across Canada. This document has 30 games including the Friendship Dance, Animal Muk, and Find a Talking Stick.
• Be Fit for Life Network has many free downloadable resources for families including six traditional games including Alphabet Animoves Blackfoot Edition and the Blackfoot Movement Story.
• As Big as the Sky, as Tall as the Trees a book that promotes physical activity for children in the early years (0-5). For purchase, order through the website or contact Shawn, Program and Event Coordinator for a free copy while supplies last.
• Arctic Winter Games is a multi-sport competition with events like the Bench Reach, Head Pull, Leg Wrestle, Finger Pull, Stick Pull, Musk-ox Push, Knuckle Hop, Knee Jump, Alaskan High Kick, Two Foot High kick, Airplane, Back Push. Watch this clip RMR: Rick and Arctic Winter Games to see event demonstrations and Rick gives them a try.

TRADITIONAL DANCE

Taking part in a traditional dance is a way to celebrate, heal, and exercise. The Jingle Dance is one in particular that has been getting a lot of attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jingle Dress dance is commonly seen in competitive powwows, performed by Indigenous women and girls, and gets its name from the rows of metal cones – called ziibaaska’iganan – attached to their dresses which make a distinctive sound as they dance.

• Jingle Dress Steps dance instructional video.
• Women's Jingle Dress @ Lethbridge International Peace Powwow 2020
• Teen Girls Jingle Dress @ Lethbridge International Peace Powwow 2020
• A jingle dance to help heal the world - Women and young girls across North America are jingle dress dancing in the face of COVID-19
• NEW LINK June 9, 2020: Join ARPA and Spike Eaglespeaker Jr, on June 22 from 11:00 am - noon to help us celebrate 2020's National Indigenous Peoples Day! This free online session, "Powwow lessons with Spike Eaglespeaker Jr.", is a dynamic opportunity to be physically active, take part in a cultural experience, and get your powwow dance moves on!

Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council - How you can stay healthy and keep active from home - tips from our Sport and Healthy Living Teams