Creeland Dancer departing for Rome to dance for Residential School Survivors

For Immediate Release

March 28, 2022

MEDIA RELEASE: CREELAND DANCER DEPARTING FOR ROME TO DANCE FOR RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVORS

Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation, Treaty 6 – Long-time Creeland Dancer Kevin Seesequasis departs to Rome Tuesday, March 29th to dance for Indian Residential School survivors taking part in the official Assembly of First Nations delegation meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

“I have had the privilege of performing with the Creeland Dancers for hundreds of thousands of people at countless venues throughout Turtle Island. I have shared our culture, and represented my family, and my community with pride and humility for over 35 years. I am so deeply honoured to be putting on my dancing shoes again to uplift our Residential School survivors as they continue the important, and hard work of sharing our truths while promoting a message of reconciliation to Pope Francis at the Vatican this week” says Kevin.

“The legacy of residential schools is a dark one, with intergenerational impacts that have affected our First Nations, and Métis relatives for far too long. Many of us dancers are children of survivors and are the first generation to not have attended these institutions. We are in a time of change and our people no longer ask for, but demand, recognition for the true history and an apology for the repercussions” added Amy Seesequasis, manager of the Creeland Dancers.

Kevin joins a dance collective of First Nations dancers from coast-to-coast-to-coast that will share the strength, beauty and resilience of our cultures, and our communities with the world. Their performances for the AFN delegation and Residential School survivors will take place at Vatican on March 31^st and April 1^st.

“We are proud to see this delegation of representatives from our various territories partake in such a monumental and historic event” added Amy. “We are honored to see our brother Kevin join this delegation as he represents the culture and dance traditions of the Métis and Cree people of Treaty Six Territory. We send our blessings to all who will represent our families in Rome.”

“I will dance to honour my kohkum Therese and my late moshum Ken’s legacy of sharing culture and youth empowerment, but most importantly, I will dance for all survivors as a bold and stark reminder: WE ARE STILL HERE!” concluded Kevin.

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For more information, please contact:

Amy Seesequasis
Manager, Creeland Dancers
creeland.dancers@gmail.com