Roseau teen keeps promise for another generation

Leaders like Justice Murray Sinclair and National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine have been recognized at the Treaty One Awards Gala. Now you can add Roseau River’s Caleb Atkinson, 14 to that list.

The Anishinaabe Roseau Valley School Grade 8 student is being awarded the Promise Keeper Award at the second annual gala on April. 30 in Winnipeg at the RBC Convention Centre. Treaty One Nations is made up of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) and Nehiyaw (Cree) descendants of the seven First Nations who signed the first of the numbered treaties with Canada on Aug. 3, 1871 in Lower Fort Garry.

Atkinson said it was his old-style dancing and the traditional regalia that he wears when sharing his culture with others at places like W.C. Miller Collegiate in Altona on Orange Shirt Day that earned him the recognition.

The regalia was first handed down to Atkinson from his late grandfather Charlie Nelson, who himself was known for sharing his traditional knowledge with others in his community, across Canada and around the world. Nelson got the regalia when he was about his grandson’s age.

A Community Impact Memorial Recognition Award is going to Nelson for revitalizing his culture. It certainly affected his grandson.

“He told me to keep going,” said Atkinson.

The leather regalia is added to by Atkinson and his mom Hilda. His mom is the talented sewer who added a broach and with help from his uncles worked on the bustle.

Atkinson said he added the bells and fringing.

“So if people ask I can say my mom did half and I did the other half,” laughed Atkinson.

His proud mom was the one who broke the news of the award, waking him up to show what he had won.

It was Atkinson’s cousin Carter who got him into dancing.

“He just kept begging,” laughed Atkinson.

His gentle voice and genial nature gives way to the energy of his dancing when the regalia goes on. Atkinson has already been awarded for his prairie chicken dancing.

In explaining his version of its traditional origins, Atkinson explained that while the dance goes back a long way, it is considered newer compared to other Anishinaabe and neighbouring first nation dances.

“This one man went to go hunting for his family. When he went hunting this prairie chicken came and he killed it.

“Then the prairie chicken came back into the over world in his spirit form and said, ‘why did you do that?’

“The man explained that he needed to feed his family. After that he said, ‘OK, but since you gave something to my family I want to give something to you.’

“Then as he was ruffling his feathers he said, ‘come over here.’ Then there was a circle with a bunch of other dancers: traditional, fancy and grass.

“He said, ‘come with me and we’ll make a new style of dancing.’ And then they started dancing together,” said Atkinson.

His sense of humour had added a personal touch.

“I’ve killed a bunch of prairie chickens in my life, and that’s why I did that,” he laughed again.

As it was passed on to him, Atkinson is now passing on his dancing skills to an even younger generation. His four-year-old cousin Ezra Fosseneuve is the beneficiary.

After receiving his award, Atkinson will be dancing at the Manito Ahbee Festival powwow May 16-18.