Episode 1: Untraditionally Traditional

In this episode of Society’s Waltz we look at the life of traditional hoop dancer, James Jones, and how he used his TikTok fame to educate others on indigenous lifestyles and culture. How social media has moved dancers to push themselves to their literal limits in the name of winning at competition. And an exclusive interview with Andrea Yeo, the Indigenous Support Teacher at Seycove Secondary.

Listening Instructions: Click on the MP3 File below to play my podcast episode! No need to download the file, you can listen directly in your browser!

Thanks for taking the time to listen! After listening, feel free to send me an email with your initial thoughts and feedback. You can reach me at gracel@seycove.ca

Allaire, Christian. “At the Heard Museum Hoop Dancing Competition, Indigenous Beauty and Skill Were on Full Display.” Vogue, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2020, www.vogue.com/vogueworld/article/heard-museum-hoop-dancing-championship-contest-photos, Accessed 24 October 2020

Allaire, Christian. “James Jones Is Bringing Indigenous Style and Dancing to TikTok.” Vogue, Vogue, 10 July 2020, www.vogue.com/article/james-jones-indigenous-dancing-tik-tok-style, Accessed 21 October 2020

Black, Morgan. “Edmonton TikTok Star Uses App to Educate 1M Followers on Indigenous Culture.” Global News, Global News, 8 Sept. 2020, globalnews.ca/news/7299133/edmonton-tiktok-star-uses-app-to-educate-1m-followers-on-indigenous-culture/ Accessed 21 October 2020

Conner, Shawn. “Q&A: James Jones Talks Unique Style of Dancing and What He Learned from So You Think You Can Dance Canada.” Www.vancouversun.com, 24 Feb. 2016, www.vancouversun.com/life/james jones talks unique style dancing what learned from think dance canada/11741299/story.html, Accessed 20 October 2020

Edmonton, CTV News. “Local Man Hoop Dances His Way to TikTok Fame.” Edmonton, CTV News, 9 Sept. 2020, edmonton.ctvnews.ca/mobile/local-man-hoop-dances-his-way-to-tiktok-fame-1.5097314. Accessed 21 October 2020

Jackson, Justin. “James Jones Rocks CTV.” Justin Jackson, 20 Sept. 2008, justinjackson.ca/james-jones-rocks-ctv, Accessed 21 October 2020

Jones, James. Notorious Cree, 2016, www.jonesdancer.com/ Accessed 19 October 2020

Millar, J.R. “Residential Schools in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 10 Oct. 2012, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/residential-schools. 
Accessed 30 October 2020

Stranger, Darrell. “'Notorious Cree' Influencer Teaching Culture through TikTok.” APTN News, National News, 2 July 2020, www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/notorious-cree-influencer-teaching-culture-through-tiktok/ Accessed 21 October 2020

Yeo, Andrea. Personal interview. 3 November 2020.