Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 29/05) - Centuries ago if you questioned whether or not Highland dance was a sport you might have found yourself on the wrong end of a claymore.

Dating from the 11th century, the dance has many influences, but traces its deepest roots to wartime exploits.

"Guys competed against each other before or after battle. It was always a competitive dance," said Karen Gochnauer, instructor with the Yellowknife Highland Dance Association.

Strictly a male sport, women were not allowed to participate until the beginning of the last century.

"It's only been open to women for the past 65 years," said Lorna Skinner, president of the association.

But since the women entered the picture in North America, the line between sport and entertainment has been obscured.

Women have brought new moves and more decorative costumes, adding a show element to what was traditionally seen as a sport.

Very competitive

"It's a little like figure skating. It's very competitive and it's all based on the quality of the things you do," said Skinner.

Unlike figure skating, Highland dancers compete together and against each other on an equal playing field, regardless of sex.

In Scotland, the lines between sport and entertainment are intact, and the dance is perceived as a rough and gritty athletic event.

"We had an instructor that came up and he said it's a sport and you should be aggressive. It's not pretty," said Skinner.

Athleticism involved

Whether you think of Highland dance as a sport or entertainment, there is little question of the athleticism involved.

"All your muscles are used. You need strong ankles and legs," said Gochnauer.

The Highland Dance Association has been travelling to competitions for the past five years, but is being funded by the NWT Arts Council.

They've tried to access funding through Sport North, with little luck.

"They said we weren't a sport," said Skinner.

Competition results on page 29.