Contact Us FAQ Français
Home / The Reason I Dance

The Reason I Dance

Maple Leaf This item is only available for Canadian orders.

Catalogue Number:  LM0023
Producer:  LeMay Media
Directors:  Lemay, Matt
Producing Agencies:  LeMay Media
Subject:  Arts, Canadian History, Canadian Social Studies, Canadian World Studies, First Nations Studies, History, Indigenous Issues, Indigenous Peoples, Music, Social Studies
Language:  English
Grade Level:  6 - 8, 9 - 12
Country Of Origin:  Canada
Copyright Year:  2018
Running Time:  21:46
Closed Captions:  Yes


Request Preview Access

Josée Bourgeois is an Algonquin life-giving woman who is a part of a very important generation dedicated to the preservation and sustainability of her people. She is a Fancy Shawl dancer and a Jingle Dress dancer, who is very passionate about representing her people, the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation in the Ottawa Valley, and her culture.

Josée discusses her father’s existence as part of the 60’s Scoop when 20,000 Canadian Indigenous children were placed in foster homes or put up for adoption. This and an early introduction to powwows helped shape Josee’s mission to connect with her culture. And this ultimately became a reason she dances.

Her message is a statement of a growing strength of a people who once were banned from ceremonies and dancing. In this program, Josee gives us insight into the jingle and fancy shawl dances, as well as explaining the significance of regalia, too often confused with “costumes”. She provides insight into many historical truths such as the Buffalo Bill travelling shows that portrayed  “Indians” as savages and cowboys as the ‘good guys’. Dancing provides healing and she encourages us to all to think about how we as individuals can play a part in the action of reconciliation. She asks that people attend powwows and begin to understand and open their hearts to her culture.


Related Titles

Dance Art : The Medicine Line Series, Ep. 9

Farpoint Films FAR030

Cinematographer Dave Gaudet films Daystar, a contemporary modern dancer working in Rochester, New...

Residential Schools - Truth and Reconciliation in Canada

McIntyre Media Inc. MCI086

Indian Residential Schools are a part of our shared history in Canada. Prior to European contact...

An Introduction to First Nations Culture and Traditions

McIntyre Media Inc. MCI084

Before early European settlers arrived in what is Canada today, there were already many Indigenous...

Hoop Dancing: Warrior Games

Kwassen Productions Inc. 810005

Hoop Dancing (Episode 6): Host Steve Sxwithul'txw tries his hand (and the rest of his body) at...

The Grandfather Drum

Thunderstone Pictures TP0000

The drum is very much a part of the social and spiritual fabric of life in the First Nation, Metis...

Madison - Mi'kmaq, Richibucto, NB: Raven's Quest, Season 1

Apartment 11 APT001

Madison is a 9-year-old girl from Richibucto, New Brunswick. She’s part of the Mi’ kmaq Nation...

Truth, Dance and Reconciliation

Aarrow Productions AP0000

Truth, Dance and Reconciliation: The story of Canada's residential school system and its traumatic...

Jingle Dress - First Dance

Veritus Pictures Inc. VPI000

Jingle Dress – First Dance chronicles Jules Koostachin’s (Cree, Attawapiskat) six-year quest...


Browse Our Collection By Subject

View All Subjects