Local family preserving and passing on culture through dance
A Métis family is showing off their culture through dance, giving people a chance to enjoy it while also preserving it.
Scott Haryett is proud of his Métis heritage and wants to pass on the culture to his children. He's done that in part through teaching them Métis dancing.
"It's important that our culture survives, that the younger generation learns how to dance and to pass on our traditions," Haryett said.
"Everybody's from somewhere, everybody has a culture and no matter what culture you're from it's important to be proud of it and to promote your own culture and share it with everybody."
Scott, his wife Charlene, their daughter Aalyah and their son Luke often dance together, even in festivals like Heritage Days and dance at schools.
"We started Aalyah, my daughter, dancing when she was three years old, she's 19 (now) so it's been a while and Luke is our newest dancer," Haryett said.
Before the pandemic, Aalyah taught Métis dancing.
"I have fun doing it and I really like to participate in my culture, it's very important to me that way," Aalyah added.
The Haryett family speaks with CTV News Edmonton (CTV News Edmonton/Galen McDougall).
They were also at the Flying Canoë Volant festival, participating in group dance and performing their own performance. This was their third time performing at the festival.
"Dance is for everybody, it's fun," Haryett said. "Metis dance is like an aerobic workout, so you get your exercise and when you hear that fiddle music you want to get up and dance. It's contagious."
The family hopes to keep passing down these traditions through the generations.
"People should learn where their background is and they should learn about their culture, because it tells you who you are," Aalyah said.
With files CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Leonardo DiCaprio criticizes Ottawa over B.C. salmon farms
Salmon farms have long been a point of contention between environmentalists and fish farmers in British Columbia, but a much bigger net is now being cast on the topic.
Flight from Israel to New Jersey diverted to New York state due to high winds, turbulence
High winds and turbulence have forced a United Airlines flight from Israel to be diverted from its destination of Newark Airport in New Jersey to Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, N.Y..
Vancouver rapper falls on ice during Canucks game performance
The Vancouver Canucks weren’t the only ones who stumbled during Thursday night’s game against the Dallas Stars.
Snow-covered bodies of 2 men from Senegal found in New York woods near Canadian border
Two men from Senegal froze to death were found in the snow of a wooded area close to the Canadian border, New York state police said.
This historical tavern in Toronto is closing after nearly 200 years
An historic downtown Toronto bar is closing its doors next week after nearly 200 years in business.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
Manhattan DA suggests Donald Trump violated gag order with post about daughter of hush-money trial judge
Manhattan prosecutors suggested Friday that Donald Trump violated a gag order in his hush-money criminal case this week by assailing the judge's daughter and making a false claim about her on social media.
Niagara Region 'proactively' declares state of emergency ahead of total solar eclipse
Niagara Region says it has declared a state of emergency 'out of an abundance of caution' as it prepares for an influx of visitors for next month’s total solar eclipse.