Patrick Mitsuing

Teaching the world about Indigenous culture, song and dance

Patrick Mitsuing is Cree from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nations in Treaty 6 Territory. He is a proud husband to Marrisa Mitsuing and a father of four children.

Mitsuing is a well-known name on the pow wow trail - he is a world champion pow wow dancer known for his athleticism and endurance. He has achieved a number of accolades during his 18 years of dancing, travelling all over North America and winning numerous championships, including placing in the Gathering of Nations Powwow (Canada) and qualifying in the Indian National Finals Powwow (United States). Just last month Mitsuing earned the title of 1st Place Champion of the Nelson “Sugarbear” Shognosh Memorial Showdown at the Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow held at Chiefswood Park, Six Nations, Ontario, Canada. He might not admit it if you ask him, but Mitsuing has won almost every major pow wow title in Canada and regularly places in world champion events.

Mitsuing was raised by his aunties and uncles on the reservation and was first introduced to pow wow dancing when he was 13 years old by his uncle Roy. From then on, Mitsuing was hooked. “I love the challenge and thrill of this very tough dance,” said Mitsuing. “Fancy dancing has gifted me with a lot. I travel to places I would have never been otherwise, I’ve met very cool people from all over the world, and when I have younger ones excited to meet me, I know I’m affecting people in a good way.” Dance is a positive way of life for Mitsuing and his family. “It keeps us healthy and learning our culture.”

They say that every dancer tells a story and you can tell by their dancing where they’ve come from. As a youth Mitsuing excelled in track and field and loved to breakdance. Mostly known for dancing the Fancy War Dance, evidence of Mitsuing’s athletic background can be seen in his dancing, from cartwheels to flips and other moves found only in breakdancing.

Mitsuing is also an entrepreneur, a public speaker and a youth role model. A few years ago, he created a non-profit media company called Powwow Times with the goal of revitalizing Indigenous language and promoting healthy living through Indigenous culture and decolonization. Mitsuing now dedicates much of his time to sharing culture and dance with communities all over western Canada.