The Boot Hill Gallery parking lot was full of Aboriginal tradition, culture and celebration this morning.

Nine Fancy Shawl Dancers from Treaty Seven Nations shared their tradition through song and dance with a crowd of over 100 Okotokians.

Boot Hill Gallery owner Carol Bishop says not only is it entertaining but also educational.

"It's actually a really cool community event. What's really neat is that they go through and explain all of their head gear, all of their outfit and what it means and they perform six different dances and at the end they do a friendship dance that everyone can participate it in."

Fancy Shawl Dancer Shirley Hill says she believes their dancing helps people come together.  

"When people know and understand each other then they can come closer as a community. To share our dancing and a little bit of history and culture with the people is very important so we can have that love and that community feeling, that community spirit."

Bishop says these performances are up close and personal.

"I think its huge because this is a up and personal thing. You can actually ask questions, you can come and talk to them afterwards, you can take pictures, they go through everything. When they perform at the stampede, which is wonderful, you can't get up close and personal with them. But they get to tell their story here and they get to tell it to whoever wants to hear it and be apart of it. So it's amazing."

McDonalds, Cob's Bread and Dit n Dat were also sponsors of the event and passed out treats and coffee to spectators.

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