Our DanceWeekend’24 Artist Feature is Kaha:wi Dance Theatre as a part of our live mainstage performances at The Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre.
Sunday, January 28th 2024 1pm – 6pm – IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL
1:30pm Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (Indigenous Contemporary)
🔗 https://www.kahawidance.org/
About Kaha:wi Dance Theatre:
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre is a Rotinonhsyón:ni led company renowned for exquisitely produced and viscerally impactful performances, embodying stories which cultivate space for transformation, dialogue and connection to Indigenous knowledge and experience.
Founded in 2005 by Ohswé:ken / Six Nations of the Grand River based Artistic Director Santee Smith, Kaha:wi (Ga-HA-Wee) means “to carry” in Kanyen’kéha. Sharing new Indigenous performance, embodied and multidisciplinary storytelling Smith’s work is focused on Indigenous methodology, interdisciplinary and intergenerational work. Artistic and community research for performances delved into ancestral memory, Onkwehónwe:néha mind-set and strive to align with and share truth, creativity, and story. The company plans and hosts land-based creation labs such as “Inviting the Land to Shape Us” and offers educational opportunities through masterclasses and workshops. Reaching audiences regional to global, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre ignites awareness and sparks opportunities for collaborations and exchange.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself/your company?
Santee is a multidisciplinary artist from the Kahnyen’kehàka Nation, Ohswé:ken/Six Nations of the Grand River. Her debut work Kaha:wi – a family creation story premiered in 2004 and one year later she founded Kaha:wi Dance Theatre which has grown into an internationally renowned company. Santee’s artistic work speaks about identity, Indigenous narratives, creative process, and representation. Conceiving and directing numerous productions, she also spearheads international Indigenous collaborative projects. She is the recipient of numerous awards and commissions and works as a guest curator/director. Her recent work includes Gardiner Museum’s Indigenous Public Art for Talking Earth, 2022-23, Homelands Harbourfront Centre premiere and remount at Celebration of Nations, FirstON Performing Arts, St. Catherines and the theatreical premiere of SKéN:NEN, May 2024, presented by TOLive at the Bluma Appel Theatre. Santee will resume touring The Mush Hole, her production based on the truths of Canada’s first Indian Residential School. Santee is a sought-after teacher and speaker on the performing arts and Indigenous performance and culture. She is a leader in Indigenous land-based and creative research through her “Inviting the Land to Shape Us” series.
What will you be sharing at DanceWeekend’24?
Oron’ónhta / Beings of Light:
Oron’ónhta (O-lun ‘ un-da) means sunflower in Kanyen’kéha. Smith’s vision for Oron’ónhta / Beings of Light is to celebrate our kinship to non-human entities, to extend greetings, love, and respect to nature, to embody the journey of the life potential from Skyworld and planted on their Turtle Island home. Dancers embody the seed journey which is linked to the Rotinonhsión:ni – Creation Story and our interconnection to the web of life.
How has the pandemic shifted your work as a professional dance artist?
“In 2021, I grew a Sunflower circle stage to align myself to the power and strength of the spiraling beauty of the Oron’ónhta/Sunflower. Now a living evolving performance, Oron’ónhta – Beings of Light cycles through my programming each summer from seed to seed, April to September. For me the Oron’ónhta brings joy and knowledge of Onkwehonw’neha which is the traditional knowledge and way of life of my ancestors. It’s a gift to embody our interconnections to our celestial origins and to share this beauty with others.” Santee Smith
Please share what you are most looking forward to at DanceWeekend?
To be able showcase alongside fellow ON dance artists and companies.
Do you have any up-coming performances/workshops/events you would like to share?
Our new work SKéN:NEN premieres May 9-11, 2024 presented by TOLive at the Bluma Appel Theatre.
In 1 or 2 sentences, what does dance mean to you?
Dance is life. For Rotinonhsión:ni dance is the best way to celebrate life and nature’s interconnectivity.
Stay Up to Date with Kaha:wi Dance Theatre at their social media links below: