Shx’at Ḵwáan, Kaasitlaan dancers to lead the way at Celebration

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Friday, June 3rd, 2022 8:33am

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

The Shx’at Ḵwáan at the 2018 Celebration. (Photo by Todd Antioquia for Sealaska Corporation)

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - At this year's Celebration, two dance groups from Wrangell will lead the way for the first time in four years.

The Shx’at Ḵwáan and Kaasitlaan Dancers will be the lead groups for Celebration 2022.

The Shx’at Ḵwáan is led by Wrangellite Dixie Hutchinson. She spoke to News of the North about the importance of Celebration to the dance groups and the community.

"For Wrangell, when it was announced in 2018, at the end of Celebration, that we were the lead dance group for the next celebration, we quickly realized that this would be something special for the entire community," Hutchinson said. There are two dance groups and Wrangell... So we knew exactly when that was announced that it had to be all of the community taking part."

Hutchinson says both groups will focus on the community's history when dancing.

"We are excited to dance together," Hutchinson said. Both groups always get together and support each other at our performances at Celebration. So, this is nothing new to us in terms of representing ourselves, but for this year, because we're the lead dance group, you know, we want to make sure as leaders of the dance groups that people understand their history."

And the dancers will be representing the entire community of Wrangell, not just their groups.

"We've made a lot of effort to document the history and make sure that those who come from that history are well informed of what Celebration means to the dancers," Hutchinson said. "They understand that we want to represent the entire community and not just those in a dance group."

Hutchinson also spoke about the reasons why the late Elder Marge Byrd stood up the Shx'at Kwaan dance group.

"When Shx’at Ḵwáan was stood up by Auntie Marge, Marge Byrd, she did it for the community, not just for a select few people," Hutchinson said. "So, we wanted to make sure that legacy was carried on."

The grand entrance is set for Wednesday, June 8 at 6 p.m.

 

More from News of the North

• Alaska State Troopers investigate homicide in Mountain Village

  Mountain Village, Alaska (KINY) - Friday afternoon, Tribal Police Officers in Mountain Village contacted Alaska State Troopers to report a homicide had occurred at a residence in Mountain Village and a suspect was in custody.

• A memorable 74th Gold Medal basketball tournament comes to an end

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The 74th Gold Medal basketball tournament came to an end Saturday night with the championship games making the crowds go wild.

• Public hearing items scheduled for Assembly’s Apr. 17 Regular Meeting

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The following items are scheduled for a public hearing by the City and Borough of Juneau Alaska Assembly, on the date(s) designated below.

• No amount of snow, ice and slush can deter the Juneau Trail and Road Runners

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau Trail and Road Runners (JTRR) held their third race of the year at the Mendenhall Glacier Saturday with a 1 mile and a 10 K race fundraiser.

• Julian Massey sentenced to 15 years for “most serious” domestic violence assault against his wife

  Homer, Alaska (KINY) - On Mar. 24, Superior Court Judge Bride Seifert sentenced 54-year-old Julian Massey to 15 years in prison, with five and a half years suspended, for assaulting his then wife on Mar. 8 and Mar. 9 in 2020 at their home in Homer.

• Biden's moves on Alaska drilling, TikTok test young voters

  Tempe, Ariz. (AP) - Recent moves by President Joe Biden to pressure TikTok over its Chinese ownership and approve oil drilling in an untapped area of Alaska are testing the loyalty of young voters, a group that’s largely been in his corner.

• Alaska legislators prepare to talk taxes after grim new oil revenue forecast

  Juneau, Alaska (Alaska Beacon) - A proposed oil tax increase and a new statewide sales tax are in the offing for debate within the state Capitol.

• Former Alaska State Trooper convicted of Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the Second Degree

  Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - Former Alaska State Trooper Vance Peronto was convicted Friday of one count of attempted abuse of a minor in the second degree.

• The State intervenes in federal lawsuits that challenge Willow Project and opposes effort to stop construction

  Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - The state of Alaska filed to intervene Thursday and Friday in lawsuits that challenge the recent federal approval of the Willow Project, an oil development, estimated to produce more than 600 million barrels over 30 years and is described as the largest project in size and scale to be developed on the North Slope in more than 20 years.

• Indigenous artists help skateboarding earn stamp of approval

  PHOENIX (AP) - Years ago, skateboarding was branded as a hobby for rebels or stoners in city streets, schoolyards and back alleys. Those days are long gone.

• Sitka Police Department makes drug arrest, seizes cocaine street valued at $24,140

  Sitka, Alaska (KINY) - Michael Souza was arrested on two felony counts of Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and one count of Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.

• 2 face charges in death of Alaska man after online post

  Klawock, Alaska (AP) - Two southeast Alaska men face charges in the beating death of a man who was attacked because of a social media post, according to an investigator's affidavit.