Earlier than dance, life was a lot totally different for 19-year-old Jax Wooden.
"I was actually depressed. I used to be all the time at dwelling. I even misplaced reference to household," the resident of St. Theresa Level, Man., informed CTV Nationwide Information.
All that modified after becoming a member of Outdoors Wanting In, a program introducing dance courses to distant Indigenous communities in Canada.
On Thursday, the group marked its fifteenth annual showcase — one of many largest Indigenous youth performances in Canada — on the Meridian Corridor in downtown Toronto.
The showcase featured greater than 100 performers representing 20 First Nations throughout Canada, a few of whom have by no means left their dwelling communities, in addition to particular musical visitors DJ Shub and Snotty Nostril Rez Children. The scholars additionally obtain a highschool credit score.
Wooden, who this 12 months danced on the showcase for the third time, stated she is nearer to household and extra social since collaborating in Outdoors Wanting In.
This system, she stated, helped her discover who she is.
It is a story others who've taken half within the annual occasion share.
Additionally in his third 12 months, Jeremiah Knott of Wasagamack First Nation in Manitoba stated this system helped him make extra pals.
"It was so thrilling to see a lot folks cheering for us," he stated.
Shantelle Geyshick of Lac La Croix First Nation in Ontario carried out within the showcase 15 years in the past and, this 12 months, joined her daughter Amaya on stage.
"It's extremely empowering. It is a actually good feeling, it is very emotional too," Shantelle stated.
"That was a really, very particular second to me," Amaya stated. "I do not assume I am ever going to neglect that."
Watching backstage as those that have gone by way of this system now host the present will be emotional for Outdoors Wanting In founder Tracee Smith.
"It is good to see them begin it, develop and turn out to be wonderful folks. It is so gratifying," she stated.
Wanting to vary how folks view First Nations teenagers who come from distant communities, Smith stated this system goals to supply a way of group to these children "that have been sort of lonely."
Though the COVID-19 pandemic restricted journey and the flexibility to supply dance courses, the group stored different packages, akin to their entrepreneurship enterprise course, alive nearly, she stated.
It additionally gave time for the group to do some back-end work on the dance program, so when the time got here it may return "full steam."
"It feels nice to lastly be again on stage once more after two years,” Smith stated. “So we have been ready for at the present time and we're lastly right here right this moment.
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