Fort Resolution (Feb 07/05) - Traditional square dancing is making a comeback in Fort Resolution.

And it's mostly thanks to interest from 14 young people who have formed a square dancing group.

Peppie Beaulieu and his step-daughter Olga Aviugana practise square dancing. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

"It's the youth that's bringing it back," says Peppie Beaulieu, an adult who is teaching younger residents square dancing steps and formations.

Beaulieu, once a member of the Fort Resolution Deninu Reelers, says it's been more than 15 years since that group existed.

Olga Aviugana, 13, says she became interested in square dancing when she started jigging.

"I just like to dance," the 13-year-old says. Another young square dancer, 15-year-old Jessica Sanderson, says square dancing looked like a lot of fun.

Both girls say community elders are happy to see the form of dance revived.

"They thank us," Sanderson says.

Beaulieu says the renewed interest can be traced back to a Deninu school-sponsored workshop he conducted in the spring. At that time he showed youth some basic square dancing steps and a few formations.

Then in the fall, at a dance for National Addictions Awareness Week, young people showed up and wanted to square dance.

"That's where we found out the interest," Beaulieu says.

"It just grew and grew as the night went on. Everybody was having fun."

Since then, the young dancers have gathered to practice under Beaulieu's direction, mostly in the foyer of the arena.

They have also occasionally danced in public, such as at a New Year's dance. They also hope to dance at the upcoming K'amba Carnival on the Hay River Reserve in March.