Curator’s Address:
At the heart of this year’s theme, ‘Celebrating Our Strength’, are the Anishinaabe Seven Grandfather teachings witnessed through the strength of our women; those who live in love;
who have courage; who are humble; who show respect; who are truthful; who are honest; and who are wise. When we take the chance to offer our inner strength out into the world, and take action to make the world a better place, we take our place as leaders, as matriarchs. Let’s celebrate the women leaders; those who uplift one another and inhabit the strength of our resilience. (Olivia C. Davies).

Performance Programs at Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie St, Vancouver, BC)
Wednesday, February 19 – 7pm
Raven Spirit Dance & Friday Creeations

Tracing Bones by Raven Spirit Dance reflects upon the questions – what memories do we hold onto, what do we tuck away, what gets forgotten or transformed over time? What memories do we hold within our bodies, within our bones?

Bawaajgun: Visions IN Dreams by Friday Creeations combines traditional and contemporary to ignite the transformative spirit of dance traveling through dimensional realms of existence – ancestors, dreams, blood memory and the land directly connected to Anishinaabek way of living, awakening the healing of the Nation’s future.

Thursday, February 20 – 7pm
Sophie Dow & Samantha Sutherland

In all roads lead home 3.0, Sophie Dow performs nine days away from her thirtieth solar return, and invites the audience to travel with her through nearly 3 decades of triumphs, tribulations and magic.

Samantha Sutherland’s ensemble work naⱡa follows four characters representing four branches of one soul, unraveling the intricacies and multiplicities of identity within each one of us. naⱡa is a grammar device used In the Ktunaxa Language, naⱡa is added to a word to imply
plural, we, or many.

Friday, February 21 – 8pm
Lara Kramer

For Gorgeous Tongue, Lara Kramer invites Nêhiyaw/Métis dance artist Jeanette Kotowich to embody stories, dreams, and songs that stem from Lara’s Anishinaabe lineage. Anchored in this world and orbiting a universe beyond, a lone performer unfolds memories on stage through
rhythmic scores.

Saturday, February 22 – 8pm
Bella Waru

Led by Bella Waru, three Māori artists and practitioners of Mau Rākau, Māori Martial Arts, come together in TOA III. Drawing from embodied knowledges, they fight; to carry legacy, dance with fear, travel beyond pain, and carve out an ancient-future from their physical vessels, with the blueprints of ancestors.

*Matriarchs Uprising proudly presents the world premiere of TOA III, supported by Artshouse CultureLab Commissions (VIC, AUS).

Saturday, February 22 – 9:30pm
Closing Reception with musical artists Tsimka Martin and Michael Red

Performance Program at Morrow (910 Richards St SUITE 204, Vancouver, BC)

Friday, February 21 – 2pm
Gathering Hope Residency – Public Sharing

Public are invited to witness the DTES Grandmothers Collective final day of residency for a movement and story-weaving improvised performance and conversation. Hosted by Olivia C. Davies, co-created in collaboration with Rosemary Georgeson, Sharon Jinkerson-Brass, Melissa Matheson-Frost, Sophie Dow, Rianne Svelnis and Ziyian Kwan.

Photo: Christine Friday/Friday Creeations Promo by Gerry Gooderham