Six Nations students combine dance and education

In another testament to Six Nations Polytechnic’s ingenuity, the school’s STEAM Academy students are now wowing audiences through dance, after an exciting performance at the Meridien Centre in Toronto on May 12.

Students from the STEAM program (a combined high school/college diploma program) combined dance and learning during an intensive two-week training program that included six hours of daily choreography training through the innovative Outside Looking In (OLI) program.

Their hard work culminated in a colourful performance at OLI’s annual spring showcase last Thursday. The showcase featured over 100 Indigenous youth performers as well as Six Nations musical talents.

The OLI program was funded by the Grand River Economic Development trust fund. The intention of the dance program is to build self-esteem with STEAM Academy students in a program that will also allow them to earn an additional secondary school credit.

The long-term goal for SNP STEAM Academy students is to be able to perform each spring at what will be billed as Canada’s largest Indigenous youth performance.

OLI students attended a two-week camp where participants danced an average of six hours each day. They learned choreography for a large group performance, along with completing schoolwork and team-building activities.

The dance presentation at The Meridien Centre featured the Snotty Nose Rez Kids (a Six Nations hip-hop duo), and DJ Shub, a Mohawk from Six Nations of the Grand River.

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