Kahkewistahaw First Nation security worker's dance at COVID-19 checkstop goes viral

OneJanuary nightat the COVID-19 checkstopat Kahkewistahaw First Nation, about 150 km east of Regina, security workerMike Bitternose put on his red basketball shorts, an orange tied-at-the-midriff safety vestand his granddaughter'sheart-shaped sunglasses.

Thenhe started to dance for the camera.

In the resulting video, which has been shared on social media more than 5,000 times, Rod Stewart's Da Ya Think I'm Sexyplays in the background whileBitternosedancestoward the camera with a red, handheld stop sign.

"I never, ever thought that I would do something like it," Bitternosesaid with a laugh, during an interview this week about the video. "The outfit that I had on was just a spur of the moment thing."

Bitternoseworks inKahkewistahawbut is originally from the George Gordon First Nation, about 200 km northwest.

Like many First Nations, Kahkewistahawhas implemented check-instops at its border during the COVID-19 pandemic to screen peopleas they come into the community.

Bitternosedid the dance as part ofthe #RezSecurityChallenge, a social media trend that started late last year to inspire people working at COVID-19 checkstops on First Nations.

It can be a tough job, the stops aren't always welcomed by people coming in.

Bitternose said he was inspired to join the challenge after seeing a security guard from another First Nation dancing in a video. He almost backed down, but went for it.

"If it ever came down to it, I would do something like it again," Bitternose said. "I can't save the whole world. But I can be there for my team. Always be there from my team, day and night."

He said he's feeling sorry he didn't wear a mask for the video challenge. He said he normally wears one, and always does when working security.

'It's not getting any easier'

The pandemic has not been easy for First Nations, and Bitternose said hewanted to do something to lift up his security team.

"It's not getting any easier with this, with everything.It's a challenge," Bitternose said. "A lot of our elderly people are really facing it in the hardest of times. And it's something that we have to recognize as a nation."

The First Nation has put in protective rules such as an overnight curfew order to help prevent spread of the virus.

Bitternose said he didn't expect the video to go viral.

That night, after the camera was off and the song ended, jigging music blasted from the speakersand six other security members joined in for a jigging dance, he said.

We need laughter.As Indigenous people, we believe that laughing is our medicine.- Shauna Taypotat

Security worker Shayna Taypotatwas one of the people who videotaped Bitternosedancing. She said the group wanted to join the challenge because the community has been going through a difficult time.

"There's a lot of tragedies and things going on here and so we're kind of having a hard time. So we decided just to do it because we need laughter," she said. "As Indigenous people, we believe that laughing is our medicine."

The community recently lost amember a 52-year-old previously healthy manto COVID-19. In a social media post, Chief Evan Taypotatsaid the man was exposed at a housewarming party.

In thatpost, the chief said that as of Jan. 12 there were 14 active cases on the First Nation andthat 30 people were waiting for test results.

Moments of joy

ShaynaTaypotat saidthedeath left a dark feeling in the community.

"Everyone's scared," she said."It's very scary."

Little moments of joy make help, said Shayna Taypotat, who also said she hopes the videohelps community members appreciate what the security guards do.

She said peopledon't usually like being asked the COVID-screening questions, even though the purpose is tokeep communitymembers safe. The jobcan take a toll on security guards, she said.

Bitternose said other security groups should join in and issued a challenge to other dancers:

"I will do another challenge if you can beat this one."

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