I am a Nehiyaw Iskwew (Cree Woman) from the Bigstone Cree Nation in Northern Alberta and married into the Piikani Nation in Southern Alberta. I received my B.A. in Native American Studies from the University of Lethbridge in 2007. Currently I am completing my Master of Arts Degree at Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario in Indigenous Studies; my thesis is titled “Nitona Miyo Pimadisiwin (Seeking a Good Life) Through Indigenous Dance” which examines Indigenous Dance as a Social Determinant of Health and Well Being. Through my own life experiences and my research with Indigenous choreographers, artists and dancers from around the world I have found that Indigenous performance can be used as a way to create spiritual, physical, emotional and mental well being.
I have over fifteen years of experience in ten international styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, hip hop and powwow styles, and the hoop dance. I have gained most recognition as a Hoop Dancer which I began learning in 2005 and have been showcased and performed internationally.
I have performed and trained with Indigenous Dance Companies such as "Daystar Modern Dance Creations", Rosalie Jones, founder of Modern Native Dance (Rochester, NY); "Dancing Earth: Contemporary Indigenous Dance Creations" Rulan Tangen, founder and artistic director (Santa Fe, NM); "Compaigni V'ni Dansi" Metis and Contemporary dance with Yvonne Chartrand (Vancouver, BC); "Kahawi Dance Theatre" Santee Smith (Toronto, ON); Jack Gray of "Atamira Dance Company" (New Zealand).
My experience as a scholar and dancer has gained my the recognition of the International Dance Council (CID), the United Nations of Dance, which is the highest authority for dance in the world. I was nominated to be a member of CID by the president of CID himself, Dr. Alkis Raftis, in June 2013 and I am proud to represent Indigenous dance on an international level. I look forward to the opportunities this position brings, as well as, the many responsibilities.
In 2017 Sandra was the first ever Champion Women's Hoop Dancer at the 1st ever Inter-mountain All-woman's Hoop Dance Contest in Salt Lake City Utah.
Photo by Leanne Echum
I have over fifteen years of experience in ten international styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, hip hop and powwow styles, and the hoop dance. I have gained most recognition as a Hoop Dancer which I began learning in 2005 and have been showcased and performed internationally.
I have performed and trained with Indigenous Dance Companies such as "Daystar Modern Dance Creations", Rosalie Jones, founder of Modern Native Dance (Rochester, NY); "Dancing Earth: Contemporary Indigenous Dance Creations" Rulan Tangen, founder and artistic director (Santa Fe, NM); "Compaigni V'ni Dansi" Metis and Contemporary dance with Yvonne Chartrand (Vancouver, BC); "Kahawi Dance Theatre" Santee Smith (Toronto, ON); Jack Gray of "Atamira Dance Company" (New Zealand).
My experience as a scholar and dancer has gained my the recognition of the International Dance Council (CID), the United Nations of Dance, which is the highest authority for dance in the world. I was nominated to be a member of CID by the president of CID himself, Dr. Alkis Raftis, in June 2013 and I am proud to represent Indigenous dance on an international level. I look forward to the opportunities this position brings, as well as, the many responsibilities.
In 2017 Sandra was the first ever Champion Women's Hoop Dancer at the 1st ever Inter-mountain All-woman's Hoop Dance Contest in Salt Lake City Utah.
Photo by Leanne Echum