How Kwanita Drew is Helping the Next Generation Through Dance
The sound of the drum fills the room. Small feet shuffle into place as children watch closely, some timid at first, others eager to jump right in. Laughter mixes with the rhythm as confidence slowly replaces uncertainty. Before long, those same children who quietly stood in the back are smiling, dancing together and cheering one another on.
For Kwanita Drew, these moments are more than dance lessons.
They are moments of connection, belonging and cultural pride that can stay with a child for a lifetime.
At First Light, Kwanita is best known as the People & Operations Specialist, where she works behind the scenes to support staff and help create a workplace where people feel valued and empowered. But beyond the day to day role, she has become something else to many of the children and families who walk through the First Light doors: a teacher, a mentor, and a cultural guide.
“In my HR role, I support our staff and help create a positive workplace where our team can thrive. Outside of my day-to-day role, I’m also grateful to have the opportunity to share my culture by teaching traditional Indigenous dance to children through First Light programming.”
It’s work that feels less like an additional responsibility and more of a calling. Long before she was teaching children, she was one herself, learning the dances, listening to the songs, and developing a deep appreciation for the culture that shaped her.
“I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember. Traditional dance has always been a part of my life, and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”
As her own connection to dance grew, so did a desire to share it with others.
“I wanted to teach because I love working with children, and I wanted to help them experience the same pride and connection to our culture that dance has given me.”
That desire became the foundation for First Light’s traditional dance program for children; a space where cultural teachings are shared through movement, music and community. The classes are about far more than choreography.
“The goal is to provide a safe, welcoming space where children can learn traditional dances, hear cultural teachings, build friendships, and develop confidence while having fun. We want them to feel connected to their culture and excited to come back each week.”
The transformation she witnesses over the course of each program is what continues to inspire her.
“What I enjoy most is watching their confidence grow. At first, some children are shy or unsure, but by the end of class they’re smiling, dancing, and encouraging one another. Seeing that excitement and pride is the best part.”
Those changes don’t happen overnight. They happen one encouraging word, one dance step, one friendship and one shared laugh at a time. For many of the children who attend, these classes also provide something that cannot always be found elsewhere; regular opportunities to be with their community, in a space where they are celebrated.
“It’s important because not every child has the opportunity to learn traditional dance or participate in cultural activities. By introducing them to these teachings at a young age, we’re helping them build a strong foundation and a positive connection to their identity.”
Just as importantly, she wanted to create a space where children simply feel accepted.
“We also wanted to create a space where children could simply be themselves, learn together, and have fun while celebrating who they are.”
That sense of belonging is at the heart of everything Kwanita teaches.
“When Indigenous children see their culture celebrated, they learn to be proud of who they are. It helps strengthen their identity, builds confidence, and reminds them that their traditions are important and valued.”
She believes those experiences become part of a child’s story long after the classes end.
“Those positive experiences stay with them as they grow and help them carry their culture forward into the future.”
So what would you see if you stepped into one of Kwanita’s classes?
“You would see children smiling, laughing, and dancing together while learning traditional Indigenous dances,” Kwanita says. “You’d hear the drum, songs, and lots of encouragement from both the instructor and the children. The classes are full of energy, but they’re also a place where cultural teachings are shared with respect.”
For Kwanita, these classes are about investing in the future.
“This work means a lot to me because it’s an opportunity to give back to my community,” she says. “Dance has been part of my life since I was a little girl, and being able to pass those teachings on to the next generation is an honour.”
She doesn’t define success by perfectly synchronized performances or flawless technique.
“If even one child leaves class feeling more confident, more connected to their culture, or simply happier than when they arrived, then I know I’ve made a difference.”
Perhaps no moment captures that impact more clearly than the culmination of the program on National Indigenous Peoples Day. At Bannerman Park, surrounded by families, community members, and supporters, the children performed everything they had learned. For Kwanita, it was impossible not to reflect on where they had started.
“One of the most memorable moments was watching the children perform at the end of our seven-week program on National Indigenous Peoples Day,” she recalls. “Seeing them step onto the arbour and dance with so much confidence and pride was incredibly rewarding.”
Only weeks earlier, many had arrived hesitant and uncertain.
“Many of them were nervous when they first joined the class, but over the seven weeks they grew more comfortable, supported one another, and gained confidence in themselves.”
Many attendees said the young dance group was the highlight of the day. The dance wasn’t simply a recital. It was a celebration of growth and culture.
“Watching them share what they had learned with their families and community reminded me why this work is so important.”
As meaningful as those performances are, Kwanita hopes the greatest impact happens long after the applause fades.
“I hope they leave with pride in who they are and a stronger connection to their culture,” she says. “I want them to remember the friendships they made, the confidence they built, and the joy they felt while dancing.”
Most of all, she hopes the teachings continue to ripple outward, from one child to another, from one generation to the next.
“My hope is that the teachings they learn stay with them throughout their lives and inspire them to continue learning, celebrating their culture, and one day passing those traditions on to future generations.”
It is often said that culture lives through the people who carry it forward. At First Light, Kwanita Drew is helping ensure that happens but not through the spotlight, but through quiet acts of leadership, patience, and generosity. Through every class she teaches, every child she encourages, and every drumbeat that echoes across the room, she is helping nurture confidence, strengthen identity, and create lasting connections to culture.
The children may come to learn a dance. What they leave with is something far greater.
