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Secret of the Dance
In 1935, a nine-year-old boy's family held a forbidden Potlatch in faraway Kingcome Inlet. Watl'kina slipped from his bed to bear witness. In the Big House masked figures danced by firelight to the beat of the drum. And there, he saw a figure he knew. Aboriginal elder Alfred Scow and award-winning author Andrea Spalding collaborate to tell the story, to tell the secret of the dance.
Click here for background information on the making of Secret of the Dance .
Click here for background information on the making of Secret of the Dance .
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 29, 2025
My bestie recommended this book and I couldn’t believe how well it dovetailed with my current experience!
I’m on an Alaskan cruise and we’ve just attended two lectures by Hoonah Ambassador Rachel Moreno. One of her topics was the 1885 Canadian Potlach Law.
This book is about that very same law and focuses on a family who defied the government and its claim that “dancing’s against the law.” Aboriginal Edler, Alfred Scow and author, Andrea Spalding tell of a nine-year-old boy, Watl’kina, who in 1935, slipped from his bed to bear witness to the secret of the dance. His family had held a forbidden Potlach in faraway Kingcome Inlet, one of the only times he saw his father dance.
Knowing that these ceremonies were the very essence of Aboriginal culture, I could feel the disappointment and defiance with every sentence. I was rooting for Watl’kina’s family and hoping they’d continue to preserve their heritage.
The author’s note explains the law and confiscations that occurred in 1921 as well as their repeal in 1951. How sad that it took until 1979 for many of these tribes to receive what had been wrongfully stolen from them.
I’m on an Alaskan cruise and we’ve just attended two lectures by Hoonah Ambassador Rachel Moreno. One of her topics was the 1885 Canadian Potlach Law.
This book is about that very same law and focuses on a family who defied the government and its claim that “dancing’s against the law.” Aboriginal Edler, Alfred Scow and author, Andrea Spalding tell of a nine-year-old boy, Watl’kina, who in 1935, slipped from his bed to bear witness to the secret of the dance. His family had held a forbidden Potlach in faraway Kingcome Inlet, one of the only times he saw his father dance.
Knowing that these ceremonies were the very essence of Aboriginal culture, I could feel the disappointment and defiance with every sentence. I was rooting for Watl’kina’s family and hoping they’d continue to preserve their heritage.
The author’s note explains the law and confiscations that occurred in 1921 as well as their repeal in 1951. How sad that it took until 1979 for many of these tribes to receive what had been wrongfully stolen from them.
May 9, 2020
AR level: 3.1
Lexile: 640L
Reader is able to experience the story through the eyes and emotions of the main character. Beautiful and interesting illustrations bring the story to life.
Traits: Voice
Lexile: 640L
Reader is able to experience the story through the eyes and emotions of the main character. Beautiful and interesting illustrations bring the story to life.
Traits: Voice
November 1, 2020
I liked reading this book as I learned a historical fact, that was unknown to me until now, on the prohibition of dancing of the aboriginal people in Canada. This was a very insightful book and I enjoyed the colorful illustrations as well.
November 17, 2021
Gorgeous and uplifting book about a very painful time. I read this as a "land acknowledgement" book about Coast Salish peoples. I love that this elder's story was captured while he was still with us and the overall design of this one is just beautiful.
July 1, 2022
Finally, a book that deals with Potlatch! Since all Northwest Coast people are potlatch people, this serves as a great way to teach the importance of dance, music, food to nonNative students. Will be asking mine to imagine what it would be like to lose access to identity this way.
November 28, 2018
Great story based in fact. Potlatch was outlawed so they were held in secret. Shameful what Canada did.
June 17, 2020
The things governments did to Aboriginal people and their cultures are truly horrendous. I'm glad I could learn a small but vital part of their culture, language, and history through this story.
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November 13, 2020so informative and touching. the historical note was an amazing touch, I'm intrigued to learn more.
June 10, 2021
My personal response to the book is that the art in this book is so beautiful and I really liked the faint tribal art hidden in some of the pages.
July 9, 2021
A poignant book about an incredibly shameful time in Canada's history (and I say 'history' with discomfort since our country still has major issues in the way it deals with our indigenous peoples).
March 2, 2021
*Indigenous*
May 12, 2008
Reviewed by Me for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com
For young Watl'kina, taking the fishing boat with his family to a small village nestled in an inlet starts out as an adventure. He's not sure why they're going, or what the strangely wrapped bundles contained that were hidden on board the boat during the night. When he and his siblings are put to bed while his parents meet with the Elders, Watl'kina is disappointed to not be part of the feast and festivities. He knows, though, that if an Indian Agent were to have followed their boat from home, there would be trouble.
After his younger siblings are asleep, Watl'kina is unable to resist the lure of the drums and chanting he hears outside his window. He sneaks away, only to meet masked figures who allow him entrance into the Big House. There, he's able to watch the ceremony, the dancing, and the chanting. He even sees, for the one and only time in his life, his masked father dancing.
SECRET OF THE DANCE is based on history, when the Canadian government instituted laws forbidding the Aboriginal people to hold their ritual ceremonies. Offered a choice between prison and having their ceremonial garb and regalia confiscated, many chose prison.
Although this story might be too complicated for younger children who don't understand true oppression or the Aboriginal customs, it's still an interesting look at how the world has come full circle.
For young Watl'kina, taking the fishing boat with his family to a small village nestled in an inlet starts out as an adventure. He's not sure why they're going, or what the strangely wrapped bundles contained that were hidden on board the boat during the night. When he and his siblings are put to bed while his parents meet with the Elders, Watl'kina is disappointed to not be part of the feast and festivities. He knows, though, that if an Indian Agent were to have followed their boat from home, there would be trouble.
After his younger siblings are asleep, Watl'kina is unable to resist the lure of the drums and chanting he hears outside his window. He sneaks away, only to meet masked figures who allow him entrance into the Big House. There, he's able to watch the ceremony, the dancing, and the chanting. He even sees, for the one and only time in his life, his masked father dancing.
SECRET OF THE DANCE is based on history, when the Canadian government instituted laws forbidding the Aboriginal people to hold their ritual ceremonies. Offered a choice between prison and having their ceremonial garb and regalia confiscated, many chose prison.
Although this story might be too complicated for younger children who don't understand true oppression or the Aboriginal customs, it's still an interesting look at how the world has come full circle.
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June 23, 2013The story of the Canadian government's ban of the Potlatch from 1885 to 1951 is retold from the perspective of a Kwick'wa'sut'eneuk child. Watl'kina (now known as retired and elder Judge Afred Scow), was born in Alert Bay, B.C. in 1927. Along with co-author, Andrea Spalding, he recounts how, during his childhood, his family and clan defied the government and hid potlatch activities from the authorities or risk being imprisoned or having their ceremonial regalia confiscated. Young Alfred goes from facing great risks while witnessesing a secret potlatch ceremony to openly celebrating his culture today with family, friends, government officials and visiting dignitaries. For Watl'kina, indeed 'Life makes strange circles.' Age 4-8. Review from Booklist: http://web.ebscohost.com.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfvi...
November 8, 2012
This is a historical account of Elder Alfred Scow’s memory of the banning of the traditional Potlach dance and how his family and relations defied the government in 1935. I like this book because it speaks to times we have to all defy the government to stand for what we believe to know is true and important for all future generations
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews