Online Facebook Jingle and Smoke Dance Competition brings joy to quarantined families.

By Mahlon Smoke

Being cooped up in the house for months can start to wear at one's mind, especially in uncertain times like what we're living in. Events left and right are being cancelled and postponed due to the Coronavirus has left many dancers, singers, and artists without a place to share their crafts. However, Vicky Horn of Akwesasne Child and Family Services decided the best way to bring some joy into the community was to hold a Facebook Competition for many Jingle and Smoke Dancers.

Contestants would upload a video of the dancer in their traditional outfits and the community would vote for their favorite videos. Many young dancers put on their best and had their parents record them dancing outside or in the home. Ranging from 3 years old to 18 years old, all dancers would demonstrate their skills to the community of Akwesasne. But the competition quickly gained traction in other communities.

One contestant from Six Nations uploaded her own video dressed in her traditional dress and danced for the competition. Other contestants from South Carolina and a few other reservations posted their own videos. Unfortunately, the ACFS decided to disallow these videos as this was for Akwesasronon only. However, Horn encouraged other social serves communities to hold their own similar events.

"Ultimately this is an event to bring joy and happiness into the home and all the dancers do just that with their regalia, who are we to say they can't do their own," Horn said.

On Monday, the winners were announced and handed out prizes for both Smoke Dance and Jingle Dance ranging from Tiny Tots, Youth, and Teens. The cash prizes were sanitized before given to the winners and consolation prize winners were given a large bag of groceries for the families. Each family was grateful, and the winners were even happier to win cash. Some of the younger winners weren't sure what to do with the money but others couldn't wait to show off to their families.

One winner, Kaienas Lazore, was very proud of herself for winning first place saying, "It's my first year of smoke dancing, so it's exciting that I won first place."

Her younger brother Roriwakaien Lazore mentioned that he was very grateful to all the people who voted for him and his sister. Both of whom were dancing for their Uncle who was in the hospital for heart surgery, having been recently released and brought home.

The Lazore Siblings and more of the dancers, danced for family, friends, good medicine, and happiness to their homes. They also brightened the day of many voters who say these young and talented dancera were able to bring some hope to the people of Akwesasne in these trying times. The ACFS would like to thank all the participants and wish everyone to stay safe and stay healthy.