DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
Dance styles and music from around the world fused together in the gymnasium of Deh Gah School last weekend in the promotion of physical activity for youth.

Participants in DANCEPL3Y's youth leader training display their completion certificates on April 27 after a weekend workshop at Deh Gah School in Fort Providence. The newly trained leaders include, from left, back row, Shanna Hagens, Kathleen Grainger, Amanda Grobbecker, trainer Brooke Yantzi, Christina Bonnetrouge, Colinda Blondin and Colin Stipdonk. In the bottom row, from left, are Corinna Innes, Christina Snider, Annie Salter, Mikaela Vandell, Shailyn Nelson and trainer Melanie Guertin. - photo courtesy of Melanie Guertin

Twelve participants from Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Yellowknife, Behchoko and northern B.C. took a two-day course to become youth leaders with DANCEPL3Y. Two master trainers with the organization, which is based in Vancouver, led the workshop.

"It was fantastic," said Melanie Guertin, a program director with DANCEPL3Y.

DANCEPL3Y is a mixed-style dance class where different styles of dance including urban, ballroom and Bollywood are done one after another. The classes focus on simple moves and use an interactive teaching style.

"Ultimately, we just want to inspire people to be playful about dance and also to have fun with their fitness," Guertin said.

The goal of the workshop was to train leaders who will work with youth and teach DANCEPL3Y in their communities and throughout the region. The organization has set a goal of having 900 children experience the classes in the region before the end of July.

This was DANCEPL3Y's first training session in the NWT, but the organization has offered this program in communities across Canada for three years. Over the course of April 26 and 27, participants learned how to lead groups of students and children in dance. There was a focus on communication, class organization and teaching skills as well as learning the dance moves.

"It was a fun, energetic, positive group," Guertin said.

Christina Bonnetrouge, 16, was one of two Fort Providence students who took the training.

"I think it's really fun. You get to be creative," said the Grade 10 student.

Bonnetrouge likes dancing, particularly hip hop, but had never taught dance before. DANCEPL3Y is good because there is no right or wrong way to dance, people can do their own version of the moves to the beat, she said.

Bonnetrouge led her first dance class April 28 for fellow high school students.

"First, it was really nerve-wracking because all of their attention was on me," she said.

Bonnetrouge persevered, however, and said the students participated really well and learned moves that went with a hip hop song.

Deh Gah School plans on offering DANCEPL3Y during the after school boys and girls clubs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Bonnetrouge said she is eager to help

lead the classes.

"It actually helps them to be active," she said.

Guertin said she and fellow instructor Brooke Yantzi have been impressed by communities in the NWT because of the commitment they've shown to youth.

"It's a pleasure working with a community of people who all are working together to work for kids health," she said.