Matriarchs Uprising showcases the choreographic voices of Indigenous women, offering stories of transformation through dance.

Curated by O.Dela Arts’ Olivia C. Davies, Matriarchs Uprising is a unique platform that highlights the choreographic voices of Indigenous women, offering stories of transformation through dance creation. This special offering of Matriarchs Uprising, taking place in conjunction with the Dance Studies Association conference being held in Vancouver, includes works by the Dancers of Damelahamid (an excerpt from Spirit and Tradition, choreographed by Margaret Grenier) and Raven Spirit Dance (Spine of the Mother, choreographed by Starr Muranko). Spirit and Tradition layers projected imagery, soundscape, and Coastal Indigenous masked dance, immersing us into the rich and diverse ecosystem of the mountains, rivers, and ocean of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Spirit and Tradition’s key themes are reciprocity and ecological sustainability, conveying important teachings on balance, interconnectedness, and community. Spine of the Mother began as an innovative collaboration with Indigenous artists in Canada and Peru. Tracing the inner terrain of our bodies as women through breath, impulse and memory unlocks kinetic energy creating ritual, which spans the spine of the mountain range we have shared for millennia.