At the Aboriginal School of Dance, our programs — including Wayeshkad, Ni Niimi’iwe, Nee- Ga-Ning, and the Adult & Parent Cultural Support Program — are designed with both cultural integrity and community impact at their core.

We take pride in collaborating closely with schools, organizations, and community coordinators to ensure that each program aligns with their specific goals, timelines, and participant needs. Whether the focus is on education, wellness, recreation, or cultural revitalization, our team works hand-in-hand with clients to customize or adapt programming for the best possible outcomes. Every session we deliver is shaped by a deep respect for Indigenous teachings, ensuring that the spirit of authenticity remains at the heart of every experience.

Workshops/Clinics

» Pow Wow Dancing
» Hoop Dancing
» Pow Wow Singing/Drum Group
» Beading / Crafts
» Drum Making
» Regalia Making
» Storytelling
» Throat Singing
» Aboriginal Painting/Design
» Star Blanket Making
» Smudging and the Technique
» Contemporary Dance

» Moccasin Making
» Medicine Wheel Teachings
» Acting Out Legends
» Traditional Embroidery
» Baby Moss Bag Making
» Discussion Periods & School Assemblies

Wayeshkad Program: Intro to Drumming & Singing

A cultural beginning through rhythm, voice, and connection.

“Wayeshkad” means “beginning” in Ojibwe — a meaningful starting point for students and participants to experience the powerful practice of singing and drumming, traditions respected by people across the world.

About the Program

The Wayeshkad Program introduces participants to the foundational elements of drumming and singing in an engaging, inclusive, and culturally safe environment.

Developed for schools, community centres, and wellness organizations, this program weaves together music, movement, language, and healing — promoting both cultural awareness and personal well-being.

Our instructors guide participants through a balanced approach that honours traditional teachings while incorporating modern learning methods suitable for all age groups.

What Participants Will Experience

Over the course of seven sessions (40–60 minutes each), participants will:

  • Learn key drumming techniques and song structures
  • Explore the language and meaning within traditional songs
  • Practice rhythm, breath, and vocal coordination
  • Reflect on self-expression, confidence, and emotional wellness
  • Build respect and understanding of Indigenous culture and community values


Each session includes worksheets, and discussion prompts on the cultural history of drumming and singing, encouraging curiosity, empathy, and growth.

Program Highlights

  • Flexible Scheduling: Sessions can be held once or twice weekly to accommodate your program calendar.
  • Hands-On Learning: A set number of hand drums are Optional drum-making sessions are available (drum kits approx. $80 each).
  • Cultural Wellness Focus: Designed to support mental, emotional, and physical well-being through creative and cultural expression.
  • Adaptable for All Ages: Perfect for classrooms, youth programs, adult groups, and community health or recreation initiatives.
  • Accessible & Supportive: Missed sessions can be rescheduled without penalty — community flexibility is built into our approach.

A Beginning That Builds Connection

The Wayeshkad Program nurtures more than musical skill — it builds connection, confidence, and cultural awareness. Through rhythm and song, participants rediscover balance, belonging, and the joy of learning together.

Beginner Pow Wow Program | 11 Sessions | 60 Minutes Each

Ni Niimi’iwe translates to “S/he gives a dance” — a name that honours the act of offering one’s movement and spirit through dance.

The Ni Niimi’iwe Program introduces participants to the beautiful history, rhythm, and purpose of Pow Wow dancing. Blending cultural teachings with movement and creativity, this program inspires self-expression, community connection, and pride in cultural identity.

Delivered to more than 23 communities and 30 schools across multiple divisions, this program continues to be one of our most requested offerings.

About the Program

Participants begin their journey by learning the origins, meaning, and ceremonial importance of Pow Wow. Each session builds understanding of rhythm, movement theory, and traditional teachings that connect the mind, body, and spirit.

Classes include a balance of physical activity, cultural storytelling, and creative design work — supporting both educational and wellness goals. Students explore:

  • The theory of dance combinations and rhythmic structure
  • Cultural protocols, such as smudging and the importance of ceremony
  • The inspiration and meaning behind various dance styles
  • The symbolism of colours, regalia, and spiritual names

Through videos, images, and guided discussions, participants gain appreciation for the diversity of Pow Wow dance styles and the spiritual depth behind each movement.

Hands-On Cultural Learning

Each participant receives handouts and creative materials to personalize their learning experience:

 

  • Medicine Wheel Activity: Students develop their own diagram to explore balance and personal identity.
  • Regalia Design: Participants design and draw their own regalia to match moccasin outlines, learning about colours, materials, and spiritual meaning.
  • Artistic Techniques: Fringing, cone stringing, and creative design methods introduce the craftsmanship behind regalia.
  • Dance Exploration: Movement sessions focus on coordination, expression, and Pow Wow choreography, including hoop dance foundations.

Program Outcomes

By the end of the 11 sessions, participants will:

 

  • Understand the history, purpose, and spiritual depth of Pow Wow
  • Gain confidence through movement, rhythm, and teamwork
  • Develop creative and cultural skills through art and design
  • Strengthen identity, mindfulness, and community connection

Why Bring Ni Niimi’iwe to Your School or Community

This program promotes physical activity, emotional well-being, and cultural understanding — aligning with educational, health, and recreation outcomes. It provides a meaningful opportunity for participants to connect to Indigenous culture in a respectful, interactive, and inspiring way.

A cultural journey for the mind, body, spirit, and emotion.

Nee-Ga-Ning is a unique in-school cultural program designed to bring balance, creativity, and connection into learning environments. Rooted in Indigenous teachings, this program helps students explore the four elements of wellness — Mind, Body, Spirit, and Emotion — through interactive, arts-based, and movement-focused activities.

Delivered by experienced cultural facilitators, Nee-Ga-Ning blends education, art, and storytelling into an immersive experience that celebrates community, inclusion, and the power of expression.

This program has been highly successful, not only in First Nations communities as an after- school club, but has also deeply resonated with teenagers and young adults, offering them a positive space for cultural learning, emotional growth, and self-discovery.

About the Program

Throughout the program, participants engage in lessons that foster emotional awareness, creativity, and cultural understanding. Using drumming, singing, dance, art, and storytelling, students learn how each part of themselves contributes to collective strength and harmony.

A highlight of the program is a collaborative art project: each student decorates a diamond- shaped fabric piece with their name. These individual pieces are sewn together to create a Star Blanket, representing how every person contributes to the beauty and unity of the community. The completed Star Blanket is proudly displayed at the school’s final presentation.

Program Components

  • Mind: Exploring the mind through drumming and singing
  • Body: Focusing on the body through dance and rhythmic movement
  • Spirit: Connecting to spirit through art and creative expression
  • Emotion: Exploring emotion through storytelling and improvisation

Each component aligns with traditional Indigenous teachings while promoting social-emotional learning, physical literacy, and creative engagement.

Requirements & Supplies

To ensure an optimal learning environment, the following supplies are requested:

  • Basic paints and brushes, a projector (non-electronic), pencils, and thick paper (8.5×11”)
  • A PA system for music (lighting is provided)
  • Gym mats for movement-based activities and Capoeira sessions

Why Bring Nee-Ga-Ning to Your School or Community

This program fosters well-being, creativity, and cultural understanding — encouraging students to see themselves as part of something greater. Educators and community leaders consistently praise Nee-Ga-Ning for its ability to:

  • Integrate Indigenous perspectives across curriculum areas
  • Support emotional and mental wellness through cultural arts
  • Engage youth through relevant, hands-on activities
  • Build community pride and connection through collaboration

Nee-Ga-Ning reminds every participant that when mind, body, spirit, and emotion are in balance, learning — and life — truly flourish.

Guiding adults in culturally supporting the next generation.

The Adult and Parent Cultural Support Program is a one-hour interactive session designed to help adults, caregivers, and community members strengthen their role in culturally supporting youth. Rooted in Indigenous teachings and traditional philosophies, this program provides

participants with a deeper understanding of how ancestral knowledge can guide the emotional, spiritual, and physical growth of the younger generation.

Through shared dialogue, reflection, and cultural teachings, participants gain the confidence and tools to nurture identity, belonging, and balance within their homes and communities.

About the Program

The session introduces participants to foundational education on traditional laws and teachings of growth, exploring how these values continue to support strong families and healthy communities.

Each class integrates teachings such as:

  • The Medicine Wheel Teachings – understanding holistic balance in mind, body, spirit, and emotion.
  • Smudging Philosophy – learning the meaning and practice of cleansing, grounding, and maintaining harmony within the home.
  • Tekanagan Teachings (Traditional Baby Boards) – exploring nurturing, protection, and the sacred bond between parent and child.
  • Becoming of Age Ceremonies – understanding how to prepare and guide youth through cultural milestones.
  • Traditional Giveaways – honouring gratitude, reciprocity, and the circle of
  • Philosophy in Home Living – integrating traditional values and daily family practices for balance and respect.

Program Goals

Participants will:

  • Learn how to weave traditional teachings into modern parenting and
  • Strengthen their ability to support youth through cultural knowledge and
  • Reconnect to identity and purpose through shared learning and community
  • Build intergenerational understanding that supports family wellness and cultural

Why This Program Matters

The Adult & Parent Cultural Support Program offers a welcoming space for adults to reconnect with traditional wisdom and to reclaim their role as cultural mentors.

It has been especially meaningful for communities focused on restoring family teachings, ceremonial awareness, and intergenerational harmony.

When adults and parents embody traditional knowledge, they empower the next generation to grow strong — in both culture and spirit.

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