Featured image: Dancers of Damelahamid. Photo by Chris Randle
By Tayvie Van Eeuwen
@tayvieeee
“There is significance to the intergenerational practice of this work, as Indigenous women, as matriarchs, maintaining and strengthening cultural dance practices, to lead the way for those who are coming and to create a better future for our children’s children. With this program I have gathered the voices of women, who share story and carry important teachings with their dance practices.”
Dance All Sorts: Iskwêwak Osihtâwak “The Women are Making It”, presented by New Works, premieres a stunning collection of Indigenous-led work on Sunday, January 13, at Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre.
The show will consist of multiple woman artists who are working within their own diverse cultural practices. Artist Jeanette Kotowich, Iskwêwak Osihtâwak’s organizer, aimed to create a program with various layers of expression. Different nations and backgrounds will come together to curate an event focused on deepening connection to cultural dance practices, while showcasing local and national talent.
To begin, the event will have Salia Joseph, a language keeper from Squamish Nation, doing a traditional territorial welcoming. Her performance will set the tone for the following dance practices, recounted by Kotowich as a compliment to the rest of the afternoon.
Jessica McMann, a seasoned Calgary-based Cree musician, dancer, and choreographer, will continue the show, with traditional hoop dancing and Pow Wow dancing. Her hoop dancing will include elements of the natural world, representing images such as flowers and eagles. The English translation of her title, “Telling Stories Through Dances,” epitomizes what the audience can expect. Through her flute playing and traditional elements, the creation of a story will unfold.
Next, the Dancers of Damelahamid, lead by Artistic Director Margaret Grenier, will perform Spirit and Tradition, a series of women specific dances from Gitxsan and Cree traditions.
Lastly, Kotowich herself will showcase a Metis contemporary dance solo called Steppin;her way of connecting to spirit while engaging in prayer and intention setting.
“My personal philosophy is to celebrate and to share practice in a joyous way, so [the show] is in that realm,” comments Kotowich.
The show extends beyond a typical performance. For this solo, Kotowich was inspired by her desire to use the audience as a square dance partner. As Indigenous work traditionally evokes community, bringing that element into the piece was a large goal for the creation of “Iskwêwak Osihtâwak”.
“The concept came about that I would use the audience as my square dance partner, so that’s how I interact and engage,” remarks Kotowich. “I don’t want it to feel like we are in a theatre, I want it to feel like we are in community.”
When searching for the name of the show, Kotowich reminisced about narrowing down a title that was related to women’s work.
“I went to a Cree elder and knowledge keeper, Margaret Harris, and I asked her how you say ‘Women’s work’ in Cree and she kind of laughed at me and said, ‘Well first of all you wouldn’t say that in Cree, you would say ‘The women are making it.’”
“I was a bit shy to name it that because there is a sort of internalized colonialism that happens when language is lost and there is some shame involved in not speaking the language and having to go to outside sources to be able to source a title,” explains Kotowich.
“But I also think it’s part of the medicine to be claiming that,” continues Kotowich. “There’s something in establishing that relationship—the distance of language—that’s been important to me, though to begin with it was a little uncomfortable.”
The show is a compilation of two of Kotowich’s passions: Indigenous art and the representation of women.
“A lot of time when I go to cultural sharing events you do see that the women are at the forefront of sharing cultural practices, so I wanted to highlight the women who are creating locally in Vancouver and BC.”
Iskwêwak Osihtâwak “The Women are Making It” debuts Sunday, January 13, at Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre. Find tickets here.
Upcoming Events Featuring Performers from Iskwêwak Osihtâwak “The Women are Making It”:
Coastal First Nations Dance Festival – Feb 20 -24, 2019 – The Anvil Centre, New Westminster
Jeanette Kotowich – Eloise – Vancouver International Dance Festival – March 20-23, 2019
Dancers of Damelahamid – Mînowin (Premiere) – National Art Centre – September 2019
Jessica Mc Mann – Children’s shows “Powwow Mash-UP” and “Nimihitowin!” are currently touring western CanadaI
A self-declared witch, Tayvie spends her time with all things magic. She loves a good sunset, iced coffee, and every known essential oil. Catch her chilling with her black-cat sidekick, Shadow, and hiding by the ocean. Look for her bold eyebrows and vintage style, and you’re bound to find her.
