Champion hoop dancer shares culture with students from all over world

World champion hoop dancer Terrance Littletent is sharing his culture with students at Thomson Community School in Regina.

Littletent has been working as a cultural advisor to the school for much of the year.He has been working with students a couple of mornings each week teaching traditional drumming, singing and dancing.

Nicholas Goodwill is one of Littletent's students.

Goodwillsaid he enjoys sharing his culture with classmates from other countries.

"People didn't know powwows existed and we taught them at this school. It's awesome," he said.

Approximately 75 per cent of students at Thomson School are aboriginal, but arts education teacher Adrienne Mahoney saidmany haveno connection to their culture.

"I think it's very important to honour their culture and make them feel as though they have a place in this school and their identity can be valued," said Mahoney.

Mahoney saidstudents' attendance and behaviourhaveimproved since Littletent started working with the kids, andMahoney said she's seen the biggest change in some of her older male students.

"Our boys specifically have really come to life. I think they see a role model in Terrance," said Mahoney.

Littletent and Mahoney worked with the students to plan the school's first ever powwow. The powwow is in celebration of National Aboriginal Day and it's taking place at Thomson Community School on June 19.Grand Entry is at 11a.m. CST.