Then there is one dance Orcadians enjoed, Royce. That would be the north american Native dance form. It is an established historical fact that Orkneymen participated frequently for hundreds of years. I go to traditional Pow Wow's here, and there is one dance that mimics the breeding time ritual of the sharp-tailed grouse. It is very very interesting and exciting to watch, when danced by a native in traditional attire, strutting and stamping in jerkish motions on the bare ground. The group dances at Pow Wow's are a healing thing. There is a traditional pow wow fire in the centre on a big circle, where the drummers are assembled. Individuals or groups circle the fire in a closkwise pattern, doing a two step at all times. This is something of a spiritual healing ritual affair, and all ages are involved. It is pretty hard to mess up, as the drummers keep a steady loud pulse going, and the cries of the singers in the drum assembly are blood curdling. Then there are scores of individual or group dances. Many an Orcadian HBC man danced at the big fires in this fashion. This particular reserve in located on one of the oldest and most historic fur brigade routes of the NW company and the HBC. It was traditional to participate in the dance when meeting with large groups of indians on their own turf. It still is. Men dance with men often, and likewise the womanfolk. I was once asked to dance with a fellow who was the Pow Wow veteran, which is a great honour. The clip identified hereunder is actual footage of an actual pow wow at the reserve of my neighbors on Manitoulin. This clip gives a taste of what the early Orcadians to this country would have been exposed to on not an frequent basis. The bird dance and the common two step shuffle are displayed. This Pow Wow goes on for four days. Hope you enjoy this! Can you imagine young Orkneymen dancing in such a fashion? Stephen http://www.video.ca/video.php?id=1452048633