Bravery was my children performing the Mi'kmaq Ko'jua dance at the Canada Games

This First Person column was written by Jenene Wooldridge, a Mi'kmaw author and executive director of L'nuey, based in Epekwitk (P.E.I.). For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.

When I was growing up, I didn't see Indigenous performers or dancers in our local venues. I didn't see stories of them sharing our culture in the media. I didn't see them included in celebratory ceremonies. I didn't see myself represented. In fact, I didn't see any signs of our culture displayed anywhere.

So when my children were asked to participate in the 2023 Canada Winter Games opening ceremony on P.E.I., we saw it as an opportunity not only to share our culture with others, but also for other Indigenous people to see themselves reflected in the ceremonies and performances. 

Now nine and 11, my kids have been performing with the Mi'kmaq Heritage Actors for years and dancing at mawiomis (gatherings) since they could walk. But seeing them at the Games making connections with people from across Canada — showcasing our culture through song and dance — is an experience I'll never forget.

The kids had prepared for the crowd at the opening ceremony, but the reality was something else altogether. The cheering, the noisemakers, the clapping coming from thousands of people was overwhelming to say the least. Just before it was time to go on stage, nerves got the better of both kids — and the fear of performing for such a large crowd started to take over.

My daughter, Taya, was so terrified of crying on stage that she told me she didn't want to perform at all.

"It's fine if you cry on the stage," I told her. "We are all human. We all have emotions and you are here to dance and share your culture with others. Just do the best you can."

With lots of hugs, deep breaths, words of encouragement and support from the stage manager Sylvia, Taya made her way on stage and tried to hold it together. An Alberta coach who saw Taya struggling promised to give her his team Alberta tuque. 

Eventually I watched both of my kids — filled with fear and trepidation — walk onto that big stage and comfort each other with pats on the back, head nods and a few kind words. There were a few tears shed on that stage, but the show went on, and they danced.

As soon as the drum started, they both put on their game faces. It was show time with a dance they had done hundreds of times: the traditional Mi'kmaq Ko'jua dance where they start with their feet in a V formation and tap one heel three times, then do the same thing with the other foot. Once they got into it, they added their arms and got into the rhythm. It's a joyful dance connected to our ancestors. 

The fringes of my son's grass dance regalia swished back and forth as Taite danced. His porcupine head roach swayed with the movement. I heard the bells on his feet hit every beat perfectly. The bright colours on his regalia shone in the spotlight. Taya's fancy shawl moved as gracefully as she did, glimmering under the lights surrounded on all sides by the thousands of people in the crowd.  Their vulnerable presence up on that stage highlighted the power that comes from within. 

I greeted them with open arms and tight hugs when they finished their performance. And there was that coach from Alberta, waiting to hand over his tuque. Taya wore it almost every day during the two weeks of the Canada Games.

Over the two weeks the Canada Games were on the Island, Taite and Taya were recognized everywhere they went. Athletes wanted photos with them, and so many people — from volunteers to coaches to athletes — expressed how much the performance meant to them and how it impacted them. With every connection made, the kids beamed with pride as they talked about their performance and the magnitude of taking the stage at such a huge venue.

Taite and Taya were invited back for the closing ceremony and they were better equipped with what to expect this time around. There were no tears — just lots of talking, laughter, dancing and smiles. They walked out into the arena with confidence — Taite waving the Mi'kmaq flag and Taya fancy shawl dancing to the Mawiomi song sung by the Mi'kmaq Heritage Actors.