Mînowin is a new multimedia dance work that integrates narrative, movement, song, performance, and multimedia design, connecting to landscapes from contemporary perspectives of customary Indigenous dance forms. Mînowin describes how we clarify direction, as we recover and reinterpret the teachings that define and redefine who we are, and that are accessed through story, dance and song.
Using new mediums, including 3D motion graphics and interactive technologies, Mînowin will engage with the complexities surrounding conventional performance space. The production will balance the performance space by adding contemporary reflections of Indigenous identity, through the multimedia elements, in order to immerse the audience in narrative that illustrates moments of connection, understanding and renewal.
The Dancers of Damelahamid is an Indigenous dance company from the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. Their rich history of masked dance inspires a compelling performance, celebrating the diversity and time depth of the many beautiful Indigenous cultures across Canada. Through dramatic dance, captivating narrative, intricately carved masks, and elaborate regalia, the Dancers of Damelahamid transform time and space, and bridge the ancient with a living tradition.
The National Creation Fund’s investment of $120,000 facilitated the Dancers of Damelahamid’s collaboration with two international Indigenous coastal dance creators, and provided support for a large cast of performers, an enhanced technical team, and several additional multimedia and design residencies.
Co-producers : The CanDance Network Creation Fund, National Arts Centre, The Vancouver East Cultural Centre (The Cultch), DanceWorks, Neighbourhood Dance Works, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity with support from the Canada Council for the Arts. The production of this work was supported by Dance Victoria’s Chrystal Dance Prize.
Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund.
October 8, 2022: Mary Irwin Theatre, Rotary Centre for the Arts (Kelowna, BC)
October 22, 2022: Cowichan Performing Arts Centre (Duncan, BC)
November 12, 2022: Venables Theatre (Oliver, BC)
November 26, 2022: Arts Revelstoke (Revelstoke, BC)
November 20 - 24, 2019: The Cultch Historic Theatre (Vancouver), co-commissioned by The Cultch
October 18 and 19, 2019: Harbourfront Centre Theatre (Toronto), presented by Danceworks
October 14 and 15, 2019: Teatro Principal (Mexico), presented by the Festival Internacional Cervantino
October 8, 2019: LSPU Hall (St. John's, NL), presented by Neighbourhood Dance Works
October 5, 2019: Lawrence O'Brien Arts Centre (Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL)
October 1, 2019: FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (St. Catharines)
September 26 to 28, 2019: Babs Asper Theatre (Ottawa), presented by NAC Dance in partnership with NAC Indigenous Theatre
24 May, 2019: Margaret Greenham Theatre (Banff), avant-premiere of this performance developed at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
Dancers of Damelahamid are back on the Vancouver stage with their newest offering, “Mînowin.” The brand new show explores the process of...
British Columbia’s Dancers of Damelahamid ventures to the National Arts Centre September 26th through 28th with their program Mînowin. The...
