Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 06/06) - Scott Ward isn't an ordinary hypnotist. The former high school drama teacher is also a hoop dancer, traditional drummer, magician and long-time dance club DJ for hire.

Scott Ward performs a plains hoop dance. The multi-talented Metis entertainer will bring his hypnotism show to Yellowknife next week. - Photo courtesy of Scott Ward

The YK1 school board is hosting three mesmerizing stage shows by this Manitoba-born Metis performer. Proceeds from his visit will help send students to the Dreamcatcher Aboriginal Youth conference in Edmonton next October.

Jane Arychuk, community school counsellor with the K'alemi Dene and Kaw Tay Whee schools, discovered Ward's show last year in Edmonton during the Dreamcatcher Aboriginal Youth Conference.

She accompanied 45 students to the event, which promotes cultural, emotional and educational development among aboriginal youth.

"Scott Ward is extremely funny and entertaining," she said. "But he also has a good message.

Ward's youth-oriented shows offer a positive message about self confidence, self-respect and living a drug- and alcohol-free life, she said. Now based in Red Deer, Ward travels Western Canada with his hypnotism, magic and dancing performances. He received the Alberta Aboriginal Youth Award for volunteer service last year.

His approach to hypnotism features Native chants, drumming and symbolic natural imagery peppered with mischief and humour.

"I'm not a Red River jigging kind of Metis, I'm more of a hit the pow-wow trail kind of Metis," he said. "A lot of us are mixed blood in the world. It's important to look at both sides of your family and to recognize and celebrate both parts of your heritage."

He insists that anyone can be hypnotised. All one needs is an open mind and relaxed shoulders.

"People should leave their inhibitions at the door and be willing to give hypnosis a try," he said. "When it's over, it feels like eight to 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep."

Ward appears at the Capitol Theatre for a teen and family show at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13. He presents an all-ages show at 2 p.m. and adults-only performance at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14.