Pretty Indian Girls inspire new generation of round dancers

A group of indigenous women from Saskatchewanare taking the powwow trailby storm.

The five friends were on their way to a round dancein North Dakota in January, singing songs in the van,when they decided to post a video online.

HomeSweet Home sung in a round dance style, with their own flavour took off on social media.

Within weeks theywent from uploading a video, to becoming the group called Pretty Indian Girls.The response that they have received from people within the community has been described by memberDesiraeDesnomieas "surreal".

"There's young girls that are watching us and think that [round dancing is]cool. So they're coming to sing behind the drum."

"We see so many young women coming to sing with us and we're encouraging these young women to come and sing with us. There is special energy around it, there's healing energy in that round dance and singing."

New generation of round dance

Round dances became well known in Canada during the heightof Idle No More, as a form of protest.

• Round dance: Why it's the symbol of Idle No More

But the round dance said to originate on the plainsis still a ceremony, that follows traditional protocols. The dancers link hands, and dance in a circle around the drum.

"It's a night ceremony to dance with your ancestors," says JudyStarr, the songwriter for Pretty Indian Girls.

Starr, fromStar BlanketCree Nation, Sask. has been singing at round dances since she was 16.

She has noticed over the last couple of years that the round dance has started to gain more popularity.

"People are starting to get more engaged. Because it happens on the weekends, it's a good way to socialize, especially for the youth."

She describes the round dances as a safe place where everyone is welcome.

Watching the videos, it is clear that the Pretty Indian Girls are having fun.

"The womanhood and energy that we have amongst each other is contagious. We get along so well. We're always joking, always laughing."

Even the acronymof their namePIGsreflects the sense of humour the group has.

"When we go to round dances, it's something that we do for good, clean fun, and socializing. We're all trying to live a positive, healthy lifestyle."