We were honoured to be invited to speak, dance, and teach at the Anti-Human Trafficking Conference hosted by Minwaashin Lodge. We went into the day knowing we were stepping into a space centred on safety, resilience, and healing. Before we danced, we spoke about why jigging is healing for us as Métis youth.
Métis jigging comes from a history of survival. Our people blended European fiddle music with First Nations rhythms and footwork, creating something joyful in the middle of hardship. Jigging has always been about connection, release, and carrying culture forward even when it was unsafe to do so.
For us, jigging is grounding. It brings us back into our bodies. It helps move emotions that are hard to put into words. It reminds us who we come from and that our culture is still alive. In spaces where people are doing heavy work around trauma and exploitation, that reminder matters.
After speaking, we performed several of our dances and fiddler Chad Wolfe entertained the audience with a number of favourite Métis tunes. The room felt focused and present with people watching not just with their eyes, but with their whole bodies.
We taught simple jigging steps, breaking them down slowly and encouraging people to move in ways that felt right for them. Some people jumped right in while others started out with small movements. By then end, there was laughter, connection through movement, and empowerment of moving together without the pressure to be perfect.
We are grateful to Minwaashin Lodge for creating safe spaces for difficult conversations where sharing, prevention, and healing are centered around culture. It was especially meaningful to have people from neighbouring Manitoba communities come over to say hello.
Thank you to everyone who listened, danced, and trusted us with that moment. We are honoured to share Métis jigging as part of collective healing.
Write to us at sisters at trl.ca for booking information!
Please Like and Subscribe on our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram or Facebook.
