We were invited to perform at The Redwoods to begin 2026 in a good way, and it was a truly special afternoon. Joining us were our guest of honour and Elder Reta Gordon, along with fiddler extraordinaire Chad Wolfe. Many residents gathered to enjoy the beauty of Métis jigging and live fiddle tunes, including the Westphalia Waltz.
This gentle melody has Polish origins, but Métis people adapted it in the early 20th century and made it our own. For us, the waltz is slow and graceful, carrying our history, our relationships, and our way of bringing different worlds together. The blending of cultures is at the heart of Métis identity.
Upon hearing the Westphalia Waltz, Elder Gordon was visibly touched. She shared that it was a song she remembered dancing to as a girl with her father. This moment was a reminder of the power of music - a familiar tune can reach back into our lives and bring forward faces, voices, and feelings we didn’t even realize we were holding.
For many Métis people, traditional fiddle tunes are tied to family, home, and everyday life. Music and dance bring generations together, reminding us that culture lives on through memory, story, and shared emotion.
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