Siksika Nation citizen finds serenity in dance circle
Sophia Turning Robe finds serenity in the dance circle, where her worries vanish as she immerses herself in the moment. She and her family often leave their home in Spokane, Wash. to traverse the country on the powwow trail year-round, blending cultural tradition with family connections.
“I would say that when I’m dancing, it feels like everything just stops,” said the Siksika Nation citizen. “All of my worries, concerns or stresses just fade away and I can be really present in the moment. It just makes me appreciate that there’s a moment in time where I’ll never be able to live that moment again. Living in the moment feels like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be with who I’m supposed to be.”
On Sept. 7, she danced in the Women’s Cradleboard Special during the United Tribe Technical College powwow as thousands of people watched the contest. Many Indigenous tribes in North America use cradleboards, traditional baby carriers designed to protect the baby’s spine, and often cover them with blankets or animal skins. Women danced with cradleboards on their backs during the contest, many representing different regions and tribal cultures.