The Rural Perspective: Mexica Indigenous Dancers Perform at Bonaparte First Nation

The Mexica Dancers performed at the Bonaparte First Nation community on February 12th the RISE-Cuauhtil & workshops were put on by Jackie Andrew.  

The Mexica Dancers performed at the Bonaparte First Nation community on February 12th. The dancers were accompanied by Jackie Andrew, who led workshops for the RISE - Cuauhtil program. During the workshops, participants learned about the importance of healthy lifestyles and self-identity through ancient cultural teachings.

The Mexica Dancers are a group of Native youth who have been working together since 2010 to promote healthy lifestyles and build self-esteem through traditional dances, music and ceremonies from Mexico. 

Jackie Andrew is Lil’Wat St’at’imc from the north and a traditional bear dancer who facilitates cultural workshops and distributes traditional herbs (smudge kits) to programs and bands across BC and North America.

The group is an amalgamation of 12 native dancers collaborating to facilitate presentations and workshops from the north and south of Turtle Island.

Mexico represents the south. Adrianna Betti has been a dancer since the 1970s and this group was organized after the murder of her brother, a group to protect and support youth development through native traditions.

Founded in 1994, Cuauhtli Mitotiani Mexica is the RISE Danza program which provides native youth with the support for positive self-identity and healthy lifestyles through ancient cultural teachings. The activities include dancing, singing, drumming, Nahuatl language, ceremonies, presentations and exchange with other indigenous youth nationally and internationally.

The Mexican group first came to Lillooet BC in 1996 with the late chief Dave Terry of X Winston. Other trips included the international indigenous leadership gathering and ceremonies and dances.

The Mexica Dancers performed at the Bonaparte First Nation community on February 12th where they were joined by Jackie Andrew who taught them traditional dance steps, crafts and songs. This was a great opportunity for our dancers to learn from other members of the Indigenous communities.

The project is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS).