Participants are introduced to traditional Métis jigging, learning the basic steps before engaging in dances including the “Red River Jig”, “Heel-Toe Polka”, “Orange Blossom Special”, and a group dance called the “7 step”. The artist begins with the basics of the dance while discussing Métis culture and history from the fur trade to today.

Max participants: 30

Brad Lafortune is Métis originally from Sudbury, Ontario. Brad began jigging at a young age and started providing workshops and performances in 2009 upon moving to Ottawa. Brad studied at the University of Ottawa where he received his Bachelor of Science followed by a Master’s of Physiotherapy. Brad enjoys combining his passion for physical activity and wellbeing with a deep love and understanding of his culture. Brad believes jigging is an interactive way to physically engage individuals of any age, all the while learning about the intricacies of Métis culture.

Les participants sont initiés à la gigue métisse traditionnelle. Ils apprennent les pas de danse de la gigue de la rivière Rouge, du Polka Talon-Orteil, du «Orange Blossom Special» et d’une danse de groupe appelée Le 7 pas. L’artiste explique les bases de chaque danse tout en discutant la culture et l’histoire métisse de la traite de fourrure à aujourd’hui.

Nombre de participants: 30

Brad Lafortune est un Métis originaire de Sudbury, en Ontario. Brad a commencé à faire de la gigue dès son jeune âge et a commencé à offrir des ateliers et des spectacles en 2009 après s’être établi à Ottawa. Brad a étudié à l’Université d’Ottawa où il a obtenu un baccalauréat en sciences suivi d’une maîtrise en physiothérapie. Brad aime combiner sa passion pour l’activité physique et le bien-être avec un amour profond et une compréhension de sa culture. Brad croit que la gigue est un moyen interactif de faire participer physiquement les gens de tous âges, en se familiarisant avec les complexités de la culture métisse.

Join us virtually for an unforgettable evening of spoken word as Two-Spirit poet Tawahum Bige invites us to embrace the multiplicity of our identities, challenge the status quo, and reimagine a world where the intersection of queer and indigenous experiences takes center stage.

Tawahum Bige is a Łutselkʼe Dene, Plains Cree poet and spoken word artist from unceded Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-waututh Territory (Vancouver). Their Scorpio-moon-ass poems expose growth, resistance & persistence as a hopeless Two Spirit Nonbinary sadboy on occupied Turtle Island. With a BA in Creative Writing from KPU, Tawahum has performed at countless festivals with poems featured in numerous publications. His land protection work versus Trans Mountain pipeline expansion had him face incarceration in 2020. Tawahum’s debut collection of poetry is set for Spring 2022, published by Nightwood Editions. Find him online @Tawahum on Instagram, twitter and more.

Join us to play and chat.  There will be self-directed activities and toys for parents/caregivers and young children. Drop-in program.

Stories, rhymes, and songs for children of all ages and a parent or caregiver.