Marilyn Jensen interview (The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers)

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The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers are a traditional dance group from Yukon, Canada. They started in 2007 and since then they have performed in many countries, showing their dedication towards traditional storytelling, dancing, drumming and singing. This week the leader of this amazing group, Marilyn Jensen answered our questions.

(photo by Allan Ogilvie)

You are the leader of the Dakhká Khwáan Dance Group. What does „Dakhká Khwáan” mean? Why did you choose this name?

It means Inland Nation. It was given to us by the Late Dakl'aweidi Elder, Eliza Bosely, from the Village of Teslin because our group is comprised of people from many villages of the Inland Tlingit.

You founded the group in 2007 with six members. How many members do you have now?

20 to 30. And a junior group for children.

There are children in the dance group and you visit schools, too. Is the younger generation interested in keeping the Tlingit traditions?

Yes, they are! Children love to dance and sing and learn about their culture and their language!

How many times a week do you practice? What are the roles of men and women in the group?

We practice once a week. Men and women have different styles of dancing. The men are more fierce and warrior like, they bend down low and keep their backs straight. While the women stand tall and are very graceful with soft flowing movements.

(source: www.facebook.com/The-Dakhka-Khwaan-Dance-Group-Official-Page)

You perform songs which are thousands of years old but you have new songs written by the members of the group. What are these songs about?

Our songs depict histories, our clan stories and about things that are important to us: our land, protection and stewardship of our resources, our loved ones, when people die, to celebrate and just every aspect of life!

You are using drums during your performances. What are these drums made of? What motifs are on them?

Yes, we use drums made from moose, caribou or deer hide with clan crest designs.

(photo by Allan Ogilvie)

How do you make your clothes?

Sew, bead, weave, painting on leather. We call our traditional dress regalia.

Your group performed at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010. How did you prepare for such a performance?

We spent months practicing and rehearsing working with a whole group of indigenous performers from the Yukon.

(Chilkoot Entrance Song, source: Sagafish Media)

In 2015 you performed in a fashion show with a DJ. How did this opportunity come? How different was it from your usual performances?

It was more contemporary than our usual traditional style of dances My daughter was a model for the fashion show and they wanted to have fun element so we decided to do the Raven's Strut piece which we collaborated with DJ Dash to produce.

The group has won the National Cultural Tourism Award of Canada. What does it mean to you after working for so many years to keep and share the Tlingit traditional values?

We were very honoured to win the National Aboriginal Tourism Award and it really elevated the fact that we work so hard to be the best we can and to dance authentically and with professionalism.

(photo by Allan Ogilvie)

You founded the Dakhká Khwáan Traditional Dancer Award which is given to a graduating student. Why did you come up with the idea of supporting students? What kind of help do you give them?

It's a money scholarship and we want to hold up young people who are committed to traditional dance.

Where can we see you next?

We will continue to keep developing new songs and new dances and learn about our culture and protocols. We will keep dancing because it's what heals our spirits and our hearts.  It is what makes us happy!

(Follow Us Home, forrás: GBP Creative, vimeo.com)