dance | by Peggy Stortz Healing Through Music and Movement A flock of geese flies overhead leader, the at m a k i n g a n d participants c a n expect t o m a k e moccasins, s h a w l s , fans a n d h e a d b a n d s . in a V f o r m a t i o n . T h e the for t i p o f t h e V, b r e a k s those the who come O N E D A N C E o p e n e d last July, starting with a series of one-week camps for children. Using d i f f e r e n t t h e m e s e a c h w e e k , t h e students wind In First N a t i o n s D a n c i n g a n d R e g a l i a M a k i n g is o n l y o n e of m a n y c o u r s e s o f f e r e d at this relatively n e w centre w h i c h opened summer. Directors Susan Helmsoth last and behind. honk turn, followers When the their tires, goose rest one created d r a m a t i c presentations incorporating d a n c e , theatre, art a n d c o s t u m e m a k i n g . Creative spirits flourished amidst the tapping of feet, s p r e a d i n g o f p a i n t a n d w h i r r i n g of s e w i n g machines. support. it falls leader back that to and another The takes position. C a n d i c e J o h n s o n offer a variety classes a n d w o r k s h o p s , Including Y o g a , H i p H o p , Ballet, Tal C h i a n d A f r o C a r d i o , t o s t u d e n t s o f a l l ages. B e t w e e n t h e m they h a v e e x t e n s i v e e x p e r i e n c e in d a n c e , f i n e arts, m u s i c a n d spiritual healing techniques. Both are continue goose and its honk. Suddenly to lose begins to altitude of the falls the g r o u n d . Two drop out of In the meantime, t h e September line-up was t a k i n g shape, a n d after a successful autumn, m o s t o f t h e s a m e classes w e r e offered In January. Today t h e w o r d continues t o spread w i t h m o r e p e o p l e s i g n i n g o n a l l t h e time. J o h n s o n is e s p e c i a l l y p l e a s e d a n d surprised at t h e n u m b e r o f m e n w h o a r e c o m i n g to t h e m f o r t h e Yoga classes. companions and or formation the sick d e s c e n d to injured remain bird where lies. it c e r t i f i e d y o g a t e a c h e r s . They a l s o e m p l o y other instructors, like M a r g a r e t Grenier, w h o b r i n g their o w n expertise t o O N E D A N C E . There regains they until its s t r e n g t h or d i e s . The story of the geese teaches about leadership, s u p p o r t a n d c o m p a s s i o n . The First N a t i o n s traditions use a n i m a l legends t o t e a c h life's lessons. The a n i m a l s are h o n o u r e d , n o t only through of stories a n d pictures, Ken at Harris, the but also t h r o u g h d a n c e . M a r g a r e t Grenier, d a u g h t e r Gitksan Chief dances teaches other the goose dance along w i t h many traditional Heimsoth a n d Johnson took a leap of faith w h e n they o p e n e d the centre. Friends a n d colleagues for many years, they had dreamed about this possibility. W h e n the upstairs space at 286 Pemberton Street came available, they grabbed it. W i t h a little help from friends a n d family, plus a strong commitment and plenty of prayer, they transformed the stark empty hall into a n Inviting creative space. They p u t In a sprung floor, painted the walls in rich reds and golds, and lined one wall with mirrors. A t O N E D A N C E , t h e focus is not so much on the p r o d u c t as it is o n t h e process. There is no c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s t o t h e d a n c i n g a n d , if a n y t h i n g , t h e h e a l i n g n a t u r e o f t h e art is e m p h a s i z e d . H e i m s o t h believes that it is best to d a n c e from the inside out, expressing the c r e a t i v i t y that d w e l l s w i t h i n us a l l . Their mission statement s a y s , " W e strive to provide a place w h e r e m a n y art forms are studied, all c u l t u r e s a r e v a l u e d , a n d w h e r e all types of ONEDANCE C r e a t i v e A r t C e n t r e in N o r t h Vancouver. Her Thursday e v e n i n g class also includes regalia 14 March | April