Lil*Bear

Lil*Bear specializes in physical activity, dance, yoga, fitness, wellness programs, youth engagement and leadership development. About Lil*Bear: Christine Lamothe is a community developer who uses hip hop to engage youth in Canada’s arctic. In the late 90’s when break dancing saw a resurgence, she took the lead by offering weekly classes for girls, creating empowering youth workshops, coordinating events and gaining corporate sponsorships to support her work. She thrived in the competitive world of dance, starting out as one of the top b-girl dancers in Ottawa and working her way up to competing at international competitions. She quickly realized the community building and healthy living opportunities this culture provided and she forged ahead. Christine’s love of hip hop led her to the north where she works in sport and recreation, helping to improve the health and wellbeing of Nunavummiut (residents of Nunavut). She relocated to Iqaluit from Ottawa in the summer of 2006 after working as a facilitator in an intensive and powerful one-week break dance outreach program for youth. Since then she has worked as a Health Promotion Officer and has been a Physical Activity Specialist for the Government since 2008. Her work allows her to visit many Northern communities, spreading her passion for healthy living by conducting physical activity studies and teaching leadership workshops, as well as conducting dance, fitness and yoga classes. Outside of her work with the Government of Nunavut, Christine uses hip hop to work with children and youth to build resilience, develop communities and promote healthy living. Known by her community as Lil*Bear, a name given to her by her dance peers for her unique dance style, Christine offers a break dance program three times per week known as the Hip Hop Spot. This free program not only focuses on dance and all the benefits that come from it, but also develops leadership skills through the mentorship of emerging teachers. Christine’s work has helped many young dancers reach new heights by facilitating opportunities to travel and participate in leadership development workshops, dance competitions. Four of the youth she has been mentoring are now working in dance, teaching workshops in Nunavut communities. Lil*Bear is also known for her artistic direction of Kaiva, a popular dance group she created from Iqaluit and Clyde River. Kaiva is known for blending Inuit culture with break dancing; creating telling performances in addition to teaching fun and imaginative workshops. They have performed in numerous venues nationally and internationally, including the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Lil*Bear lives in Iqaluit with her boyfriend Gary and their three dogs. She loves to go hunting and camping on their boat as often as possible. In the winter you can usually see her snowmobiling around with one of her dogs little head sticking out of her parka!