in March, Janelle Alladina came to SD8 to share knowledge about Pow Wow and Indigenous Peoples in Canada. She shared stories, language, and teachings from her Nation. Janelle is a proud Secwépemc (Shuswap) woman from T’exelc (Williams Lake Indian Band). Her father is former chief Willie Alphonse Jr, and her mother is Cree from Horse Lake. She has been dancing fancy shawl and jingle dress since she was 2 years old. She shared both of these dances and the history behind them with students. She taught a group of students at Trafalgar some of the basic steps for the Fancy Shawl Dance as the group of students learns this style of dance and makes their regalia. Janelle follows the pow wow trail across all of BC and down into the USA in the summer and visits family for traditional ways of life in the fall. “Being able to share culture and dance has always been very important to me, especially to our younger generation", she shares in speaking of the importance of having the opportunity to come and share with SD8. Janelle shared messages of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle as a Pow Wow dancer, and shared many of the reasons she dances, especially the importance of dancing for those who can not.

Thank you, Janelle!