Dallas Arcand Hoop Dances For Life

“My dance is my life – it’s what I believe in and what I know best,” World Champion Hoop Dancer Dallas Arcand recently told Routes Magazine. In an interview following his performance with his son Dallas Bobby Arcand Gladeau at the 25th Anniversary of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a buffalo jump located where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains begin to rise from the prairie northwest of Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a Blackfoot cultural museum, Arcand explained, “It’s the story of our people and an appreciation of the land and Mother Earth. The goal is to restore balance and harmony in the world.”

Dallas took some time finding his own balace and harmony. Along the way he dabbled in confusion, anger and crime, but once he found his path he committed himself to solid ground and high ideals. Arcand explained, “I hope I can be a shining light for my people. For me there’s a lot of integrity in that.” And now, with his 25 hoops in motion, he continues to create and innovate. “I am constantly creating new pieces of art through music, through dance, even in teaching my son to be a good person.” His son, 14, is following in his father’s footsteps as a passionate hoop dancer. “Teaching my son my craft means a lot to me, it keeps the circle going. I tell him the best thing you can do is show up on time, know your craft, be the best you can be and stay true to who you are and what you stand for.” Arcand, who also composes music and plays traditional cedar flute, also recently released his fourth CD Sacred Sweetgrass.

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