Rhythm and tradition come alive: UGDSB students explore Indigenous dance

Press Release

April 16, 2026

This April, students across the Upper Grand District School Board have had the chance to learn about Indigenous dance and music from Joshua “Classic Roots” DePerry.

Classic Roots is an award-winning Indigenous DJ, music producer, and performer of Ojibwe and Blackfoot heritage. Classic Roots is now based out of Toronto but spent the early years of his life in Thunder Bay as part of the Long Lake 58 First Nation.

Classic Roots is travelling through Upper Grand all week to share Indigenous traditions, his music, stories and dance with students.

Students have been engaged, asking many questions, and enjoying learning about Classic Roots Regalia, the four sacred medicines (Tobacco, Sage, Cedar, and Sweetgrass), and Indigenous dance traditions.

To learn more about Classic Roots, click here.

ILR5