About Us
Asham Stompers
The Asham Stompers embody an unparalleled level of energy as a dynamic Metis dance group on a mission. Rooted in a commitment to recapturing and preserving the rich history of the Metis people, our performances center around the iconic RED RIVER JIG. Originating in the early 1800s at the confluence of the Forks of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, this dance was crafted to attract fur traders into the first Metis Colony for fur trading.
Stompers Mission
To help re-capture and preserve the history of the Métis people through the traditional dancing of the Red River jig.
To have FUN and enjoy the richness of the Métis tradition through the Red River Jig combined with square dancing which has been done in the First Nations Communities for so many years aptly named the Red River Dance.
Our Group Members are half Metis and half First nations.
The Red River Jig was developed in the late 1700’s - early 1800's by the first Métis colony which was at the junction of the Red & Assiniboine rivers (now known as the forks in the city of Winnipeg) to attract fur traders into the colony to trade furs.
Our Purpose is to help bring hope to our children in our Aboriginal Communities by taking something right out of the community (The Fiddle and Jig) to the World Stage Successfully and independently. The Fiddle and Red River Jig have a long history in our communities and the rest of the World is embracing it. The Stompers receive standing ovations wherever they perform and it is not about the Stompers, it is about the dance which has been pasted down by our ancestors. We now plan to pass the Jig on to our youth and therefore have youth in our group at almost every performance.
Asham Name History
Apparently James Isham, an employee with The Hudson Bay Company, moved here from England in the late 1700’s and was posted at York Factory. After an extended period of time, his term with HBC ended and he moved back to England with his Native wife and son. Apparently he was made so much fun with his aboriginal family that he moved back to Manitoba and changed his name to Asham. His grandson John Asham later became treaty number 000001 on the Ebb & Flow Indian Reserve. From him all of the many Asham’s descended. Some settling in Crane River, Pequis, Portage La Prairie and other Manitoba communities.