Indigenous dance troupe brings First Nation art, history to life
An Indigenous dance company has, through art, become part of the dialogue over collective reconciliation with a dark chapter of Canada’s history.
This month, Dance Victoria presented Flicker, a story about a young man embarking upon his journey to adulthood, performed by Dancers of Damelahamid.
The performance was warmly received, and resonated more deeply with the audience through discussions before and after.
From 1885 to 1951, Indigenous communities were forbidden to hold potlatches. Lineage stories, religious practices and dance traditions had to be passed down in secret.
As attitudes changed in the 1960s, the rituals resurfaced, with performances such as Flicker an opportunity to learn about local Gitxsan dance and First Nations history — with a contemporary edge. The piece combines West Coast graphic design with projected environments, live-action shadow dance and traditional dance regalia.
“The performance is unlike structured western dance,” said Stephen White, executive producer of Dance Victoria. “Instead, it is a very gentle, meditative piece, with strong visual elements, familiar First Nations artwork and costume design.”
The piece revives the custom of using art forms as a healing space. In this manner it serves to advance the process of reconciliation for Indigenous people — and all Canadians.
“It is encouraging that we are moving through reconciliation through artistic expression,” said White. “It presents the subject in a more profound way than, say, a lecture.”
Many who experienced the show went away with a greater understanding of the history surrounding the issue.
With the help of funding from the Victoria Foundation, people were able to attend By Invitation Only: Dance, Confederation and Reconciliation, a pre-show chat taking people back to 1864 and the conferences that led to Confederation.
People learned of how women and Indigenous people were excluded from the discussions.
After the show, theatregoers chatted with the artistic director/choreographer and dancers. Discussion centered on the work’s intention and the ongoing process of reconciliation.
People were also invited to the Exploring Contemporary Coastal Dance Workshop the following day when participants were able to engage in the shared experience of dance at the Songhees Wellness Centre.
The extra activities gave participants a deeper, richer and more profound experience, said White.
“It became more than just buying a ticket to a show,” he said. “Taken together, the extra activities enabled people to contextualize the performance.”
For more information, go to dancevictoria.com or damelahamid.ca.