Welcome to The Norman Chief Memorial Dancers Web Site
The Norman Chief Memorial Dancers were founded in 2004 by Sonny and Terri Delaronde in memory of the late Norman Chief, a Metis musician, singer, and entertainer. The Norman Chief Dancers' primary purpose is to promote and develop community spirit through traditional style Metis music and dance. The team dances at fundraising events in Aboriginal communities throughout Manitoba to further promote Metis culture and heritage.
These events assist local communities with fundraising for children/youth initiatives including fiddling, jigging, sports, recreation, and other cultural programs. Their performances promote community development by bringing people of all ages together to celebrate Mtis culture and heritage. The events also help families and community organizations to raise funds for a variety of causes including Cancer Care Manitoba, the Children's Wish Foundation, and Aboriginal people who require additional funds with medical treatment.
The Norman Chief Dancers
have performed in many cultural events throughout Manitoba and
northwest Ontario including Folklorama, St. Laurent Mtis Days,
Winnipeg Mtis Association Street Festival, Treaty Days, N.C.I. Jam,
and The Aboriginal Express featuring Ray St. Germain. The dance
troupe also provides cultural awareness performances in many
Manitoba schools in support of Aboriginal Academic Achievement
initiatives. The Honourable Yvon Dumont is the official spokesperson
and MC for many of the cultural events. The dancers create toe
tapping enthusiasm from their audiences with modern, unique dance
steps blended with the traditional Mtis Red River Dance style.
The popular square dance troupe features:
The popular square dance
troupe features: Sonny and Terri Delaronde, originally from Duck Bay
and Kinosota, Manitoba. Sonny named the popular square dance team,
and his wife, Terri, coordinates many events and organizes the
dancers and team outfits. Kevin Chief, originally from Duck Bay,
Manitoba, grew up surrounded by music and dancing thanks to the
influence of his late father, Norman Chief. Clorice Genaille,
originally from Duck Bay, is a dance instructor with the Winnipeg
Metis Association's Big Hart Program. She has taught thousands of
children and youth Metis style jigging and dancing.
