Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
The driving force behind the JBT Jiggers - well-known cultural ambassadors of Fort Smith's Joseph Burr Tyrrell School - will be stepping away from the dance troupe following a final performance this coming weekend.

Lois Lafferty: Stepping aside as co-ordinator of the JBT Jiggers. - CUTLINE #1 (list slug of photo): 2304jbt!2 NNSL file photo

Lois Lafferty founded the JBT Jiggers in 2000 and has been co-ordinator ever since.

"As of April 28 of this year, my last performance with the JBT dancers will be for the (Fort Smith) trade show," Lafferty said. "That's my last official performance."

She was a teacher at JBT from 2000-2011, and is now an instructor in the Teacher Education Program at Aurora College while volunteering with the JBT Jiggers.

Lafferty will still be available next school year to help the people who will take over the dance troupe.

"If they need me to come and help them with routine and just kind of getting them set up, I'll volunteer and I'll do that," she said.

"I'll kind of come in on a needs basis, but I won't be there

full-time with the dancers."

Lafferty said a couple of people have already expressed interest in taking over the JBT Jiggers.

"They've got everything that I've gathered over the years. They've got stereos. They've got costumes," she said. "All they need to do is teach the students how to dance."

Lafferty is hopeful the dance program will survive her departure.

"It's up to the parents who take it over," she said.

Lafferty, who is originally from Aklavik, had previously started dance programs at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School in Inuvik and Deninu School in Fort Resolution, but neither survived after she left.

No one came forward to volunteer their time to the school dance groups in Inuvik or Fort Resolution, she said. "It takes a lot of commitment."

The JBT Jiggers are well-known, even outside of Fort Smith, having performed in a number of communities. They have also danced for the Governor General of Canada, on a video by Edmonton-based rapper Feenix and for various special events in Fort Smith.

"I will miss the jiggers, but I feel that I've pretty much put in my time," said Lafferty.

She said co-ordinating the group was a lot of fun, but also a lot of work, noting she got help over the years from parent volunteers.

She would teach dance to between 50-75 students each year, both in her own class and in an extracurricular activity.

The JBT Jiggers, which featured students in Kindergarten through Grade 6, performed in groups of about 20 at a time.

Lafferty, who was a teacher for 33 years, said she started the JBT Jiggers for the young people.

"It's all about the students," she said. "It's student accomplishment."

Cora America, vice-principal of JBT School, praised Lafferty's contribution to the JBT Jiggers and her role as a veteran teacher.

America said Lafferty helped develop a love of music and dancing among students, built their confidence and self-esteem, and celebrated cultural identity.

"She's just an amazing lady," the vice-principal said.

America said Lafferty had a "huge" impact on JBT.

The vice-principal also expressed confidence the JBT Jiggers will continue into the future, noting Lafferty has already approached staff members and parents about getting involved.

"She has ensured that it will continue and we will also make sure that it continues," America said, noting the JBT Jiggers are a legacy that Lafferty has left to the school.

"That sort of thing does not fade away quickly."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.