ONTARIO—The halftime show is a time-honoured tradition at football games, often proving to be almost as much of a draw as the games themselves. This season on the Canadian Football League (CFL) gridiron, Wiikwemkoong’s world champion hoop dancer Lisa Odjig led a troupe of Indigenous dancers out onto the field as part of the league’s moves toward reconciliation.
Asked by The Expositor as to how the performances—one for the Toronto Argonauts and a second for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats—came about, Ms. Odjig replied that it took a bit of reaching out.
“I had submitted my artist biography to the events management,” she said, “and with time and patience, I started to receive replies—which is a good sign. We kept in touch through emails, text messages and phone calls. I replied to every single request in a timely manner with any information they requested.” The result was an invitation to appear before the audience at the CFL games.
“I had reached out to the drum groups/lead singers and dancers, asking if they would be interested in performing in the halftime shows with me,” said Ms. Odjig, who has held global top honours as a competitive hoop dancer. “I thought it was important to include live drum groups/singers and additional dancers. I had pitched the idea to the event planners and after some time and thought, they welcomed us all together with open arms. They were all so nice and kind to work with and I know many of our Indigenous people and communities support the CFL. They treated us very well and we cannot thank them enough. I did share with them that we are all so proud of what they do and they are invited to our communities anytime.”
Ms. Odjig explained that there were seven to eight dancers, including herself, as well at two live drum groups.
“For the Saturday, September 23 Toronto Argonauts halftime show, we were honored to have All Nations Juniors drum group, led by Kevin Myran. Dancers were Dennis Whiteye, Ian Akiwenzie, Deanna Pashe, Alanna Romero-Pashe, elders Gilbert Sunday and (Lisa’s father) Frank Fisher Odjig,” she said.
“It was something,” admitted Mr. Fisher when The Expositor caught up to him at the Wiikwemkoong 10k Road Race on the weekend. Beaming at his daughter, who had made the trip up to walk with her 82-year-old father along the entire course.
“For the Hamilton Tiger-Cats halftime show in honour of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Saturday, September 30, we had another beautiful drum group called Oldstyle led by singers Sheldon Primeaux, Gary Parker, Brian General and Phil Davis,” said Ms. Odjig. “Dancers were Nikki Shawana, Delbert Jonathan, Ziibi Jonathan, Daniel Secord, Nicole Leveck, Gilbert Sunday and Jennifer Martin.”
As to how the performances were received, Ms. Odjig was effusive. “The audience clapped and cheered,” she said. “We felt the love and support. Before and after the halftime performances we were shaking hands and taking photos with some audience members, including some CFL players and retired football players. Later in the evening, we noticed social media posts, messages and tags all filled with love, excitement and support. Everyone enjoyed themselves and that’s what counts. We only live once, and I think it’s important to cherish the moments and appreciate the people around you and the ones who support you. It was a blast and we thank the CFL, Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger Cats for everything and we are all so proud of what they do and their support for all indigenous people and communities. They treated us well and we support them 100 percent too.”
Unfortunately, most halftime shows are not televised, but Ms. Odjig noted that the televised games “sometimes might show a quick glimpse.”
As an innovative example of reconciliation at work, the dance performances are one way that bridges are being built outside the rarified atmosphere of politics and into the world of sport.
