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Sky Dancers

An A’nó:wara Dance Theatre Production

https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/31522

In-person event

A visually stunning dance piece exploring the impacts of the Quebec Bridge disaster of 1907, which killed 33 Mohawk ironworkers from the community of Kahnawake. When the bridge collapsed while under construction, it caused a wave of after-effects that stretched out to the whole world. It is a universal story that touches on themes of disaster, families, community, resilience and building bridges between people and generations. Using both contemporary and traditional practices, direct descendant...

January 19 - 21, 2023

Babs Asper Theatre 1 Elgin Street Ottawa Canada

≈ 65 minutes · No intermission

Last updated: January 17, 2023

Sky Dancers: Honouring Strength and Resilience in The Community of Kahnawake

Sky Dancers explores the impacts of the Quebec Bridge disaster of 1907. The bridge that was to span 1,000 metres on the St. Lawrence River collapsed while under construction, killing 75 men including 33 Mohawk ironworkers from the community of Kahnawake. It’s a personal story for choreographer Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo whose great-grandfather lost his life that day, and a universal story that touches on family, community, resilience and building bridges between people and generations.

Artists

Choreographer and director Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo

Choreographer and director
Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo

Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo is Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk) of mixed heritage originally from Kahnawake, now living in Montreal. Barbara is currently the artistic director and choreographer of A’nó:wara Dance Theatre. An award-winning choreographer and dancer for over 25 years, she specializes in creating works that highlight Indigenous themes/stories/perspectives by often combining powwow, Haudenosaunee dance, and mainstream contemporary styles to create a fusion of dance that speaks to many different populations and tastes. She takes great pride in regularly sharing her culture and has performed across Canada and internationally. Barbara also works with various organizations to educate, help create safe spaces, and support Indigenous artists across the globe. Her goals are to inspire others, encourage cultural pride, uplift the spirit, and increase education and communication.

Native de Kahnawake, Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo est une danseuse et chorégraphe primée de la Nation kanienkeha:ka (mohawk) d’héritage mixte. Elle est la directrice artistique et chorégraphe du A’nó:wara Dance Theatre. Depuis plus de 25 ans, les créations de cette Montréalaise d’adoption font la part belle aux récits et perspectives autochtones en mêlant danse traditionnelle – pow-wow et danse haudenosaunee – et danse contemporaine populaire. Cette fusion des genres lui permet de rejoindre des publics différents. Attirée par la diversité des danses, elle est titulaire d’un baccalauréat en beaux-arts, concentration théâtre, de l’Université de Concordia et de la Native Theatre School. Barbara collabore avec diverses organisations, y compris La Danse sur les routes du Québec et l’Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, avec la volonté de faire de la sensibilisation, de créer des espaces sûrs et d’épauler les artistes autochtones du monde entier. Elle compte ainsi inspirer les autres, renforcer la fierté culturelle, apaiser les esprits et faire progresser l’éducation et la communication.

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Artists

Choreographer and director Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo

Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo is Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk) of mixed heritage originally from Kahnawake, now living in Montreal. Barbara is currently the artistic director and choreographer of A’nó:wara Dance Theatre. An award-winning choreographer and dancer for over 25 years, she specializes in creating works that highlight Indigenous themes/stories/perspectives by often combining powwow, Haudenosaunee dance, and mainstream contemporary styles to create a fusion of dance that speaks to many different populations and tastes. She takes great pride in regularly sharing her culture and has performed across Canada and internationally. Barbara also works with various organizations to educate, help create safe spaces, and support Indigenous artists across the globe. Her goals are to inspire others, encourage cultural pride, uplift the spirit, and increase education and communication.

Victoria May

Victoria May

Victoria May, Red River Métis-Michif, was born in Ottawa and began her dance training and career at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, performing with ballet and contemporary dance companies in Europe and Canada for over 30 years. She is currently a Ph.D. student in the INDI program at Concordia University in Montreal (Tio’tia:ke). Her current research creation, Kiwaapamitinaawaaaw, is a poem and love letter to her ancestors about embodying Michif and the dances that guided her home.

Victoria’s Maternal grandmother, Irene, grew up on the Road Allowance in a place known as the Fox Farm—now called Nordale—outside Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Her family names are Vermette, Delorme, Pepin, Frobisher, Laliberté, Villebrun, Gaudry, Davis, and Sayer. Victoria May is a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

Métisse de la rivière Rouge, Victoria May est originaire d’Ottawa. Après des débuts au sein du Royal Winnipeg Ballet, elle ne cesse de multiplier les collaborations depuis plus de 30 ans avec des compagnies de ballet et de danse contemporaine d’Europe et du Canada. Doctorante au programme d'études doctorales individualisées de l’Université Concordia, à Montréal (Tio’tia:ke), elle travaille actuellement sur le projet de recherche et création intitulé Kiwaapamitinaawaaaw, une lettre d’amour poétique à ses ancêtres dans laquelle elle se questionne sur ses racines métisses et le rôle de la danse dans la quête de ses origines.

Irene, sa grand-mère maternelle, a grandi à Road Allowance, et plus précisément à Fox Farm – aujourd’hui Nordale – tout près de Prince Albert, en Saskatchewan. Ses ancêtres se nomment Vermette, Delorme, Pepin, Frobisher, Laliberté, Villebrun, Gaudry, Davis ou encore Sayer. Victoria May est membre de la Fédération des Métis du Manitoba.

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Katie Couchie

Katie Couchie

Katie Couchie is an Anishinaabekwe Oji-Cree dance artist from Nbisiing (Nipissing First Nation), now based in Tkaronto. Katie has worked with companies and choreographers including Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (Santee Smith), A’nó:wara Dance Theatre (Barbara Diabo), Human Body Expressions (Hanna Kiel), Alejandro Ronceria, Christine Friday, Peggy Baker, and Cameron Fraser-Monroe.

Katie is a Dora nominated artist for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble for the productions of Homelands and SKéN:NEN created by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre and has performed at events including APTN’s Indigenous Day Live (2022), the FODAR Dance Festival (2023), Governor General’s Performance Awards (2023), and MOCA Live: Contemporary x Dance (2024).

Currently, Katie is working on her first solo piece where she spent the summer as the Artist in Residence at the University of Toronto and is grateful to be back working on Homelands again with the Kaha:wi Dance Theatre team.

Katie Couchie est une danseuse anishinaabekwe oji-crie de la Première Nation Nipissing qui vit à Tkaronto. Elle a travaillé avec de multiples compagnies et chorégraphes, notamment Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (Santee Smith), A’nó:wara Dance Theatre (Barbara Diabo), Human Body Expressions (Hanna Kiel), Alejandro Ronceria, Christine Friday, Peggy Baker et Cameron Fraser-Monroe.

Finaliste aux prix Dora dans la catégorie « meilleure troupe de danse » pour les productions Homelands et SKéN:NEN du Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, elle s’est produite lors de divers événements, notamment l’édition 2022 de la Journée des Autochtones diffusée sur la chaîne APTN, le festival de danse d’Annapolis Royal (2023), les Prix du Gouverneur général pour les arts du spectacle (2023) et MOCA Live: Contemporary x Dance (2024).

Actuellement en pleine création de son premier solo, elle a participé à une résidence artistique d’été à l’Université de Toronto. Elle se réjouit de retrouver l’équipe de Homelands du Kaha:wi Dance Theatre.

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Falciony Patino

Falciony Patino

Falciony Patino was born in Funza, Colombia, and began training in Colombian folk dance at a young age. He studied contemporary dance at the Superior Academy of Arts of Bogota and was a member of Orkeseos. In 2009, Falciony moved to Toronto to join Ballet Creole as a student and company member. There, he created Cabildo, a group that explores a contemporary approach to Colombian folk dance.

Falciony has performed with Newton Moraes Dance Theatre (Brazil, The Land of Tears and Soul, Testosterone), Alejandro Ronceria (Amalgama), Kaha:Wi Dance Theatre (The Honouring), Red Sky Performance (Mistatim), and Little Pear Garden Dance Company (Unleash).

Falciony Patino s’initie très tôt à la danse traditionnelle colombienne. Natif de Funza, le Colombien a étudié la danse contemporaine à l’l’Institut supérieur des arts de Bogotá et a fait partie de la compagnie Orkeseos. En 2009, il pose ses valises à Toronto et intègre le Ballet Creole comme étudiant et membre de la troupe. C’est au sein de la compagnie qu’il crée Cabildo, un groupe de travail qui reprend la danse traditionnelle colombienne dans une approche contemporaine.

Falciony Patino s’est produit avec le Newton Moraes Dance Theatre (Brazil, The Land of Tears and Soul, Testosterone), Alejandro Ronceria (Amalgama), le Kaha:Wi Dance Theatre (The Honouring), Red Sky Performance (Mistatim) et la Little Pear Garden Dance Company (Unleash).

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Sebastian “Bash” Hirtenstein

Sebastian “Bash” Hirtenstein

Sebastian “Bash” Hirtenstein’s undeniable versatility, unshakeable fearlessness, and captivating qualities in performance have allowed him to work with choreographers and companies such as BoucharDanse, Addy Chan, Michael Caldwell, Canadian Opera Company, Emilio Collalilo, and many more. He has performed across Canada, the Middle East, and Asia as Dance Captain with Creativiva’s Aladdin and Pinocchio and shared stages with Ariana Grande, Jason Derulo, Kiesza, and Bebe Rexha.

Sebastian has starred in a variety of TV series, including Canada’s Drag Race, APTN’s Pulse: The Series, American Gods, Shadowhunters, The Umbrella Academy, Killjoys, and Eva Longoria’s Glamorous, and has worked with Microsoft, Duracell, Priceline, Captain Morgan’s, TD Bank, Nordstrom, IÖGO, and the Toronto Argonauts. His choreography has hit the stage at Pakistan’s 8th HUM Awards, the Hamilton Conservatory of the Arts, Marie Copps’ Fashion Shoot Extravaganza, Carlos & Sofia (America’s Got Talent) and with artists such as Marie-Clo, HERDD, Husslah and Harriet Chung.

Polyvalent, audacieux et charismatique, voilà qui décrit bien Sebastian « Bash » Hirtenstein. Outre ses multiples collaborations avec des chorégraphes et compagnies tels que BoucharDanse, Addy Chan, Michael Caldwell, la Compagnie d’opéra canadienne et Emilio Collalilo, il s’est produit au Canada, au Moyen-Orient et en Asie comme chorégraphe en chef pour les productions Aladdin et Pinocchio de Creativiva et a partagé la scène avec Ariana Grande, Jason Derulo, Kiesza et Bebe Rexha.

Sebastian Hirtenstein s’est également illustré dans plusieurs séries télévisées comme Canada’s Drag Race, Pulse: The Series d’APTN, American Gods, Shadowhunters, The Umbrella Academy, Killjoys ou encore la série d’Eva Longoria, Glamorous. Il a collaboré avec Microsoft, Duracell, Priceline, Captain Morgan’s, la Banque TD, Nordstrom, IÖGO et les Argonauts de Toronto. Il a également signé des chorégraphies pour la 8e cérémonie des HUM Awards au Pakistan, le Hamilton Conservatory of the Arts, le Fashion Shoot Extravaganza de Marie Copps, le duo Carlos & Sofia (America’s Got Talent) et des artistes tels que Marie-Clo, HERDD, Husslah et Harriet Chung.

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Emmanuelle Martin

Emmanuelle Martin

Emmanuelle Martin holds a bachelor's degree in dance and has trained in France, the United States, and Canada. She specializes in contemporary and urban dance and is known for her versatility, improvisation skills, and strong presence. With over ten years of experience, Emmanuelle has collaborated with artists and companies internationally and currently works with Van Grimde Corps Secret, Trip the Light Fantastic, Bouge de là, Audrey Gaussiran, Barbara Diabo, Jobel Art, Early Morning Opera and Sinha Danse.

Emmanuelle founded Nouena Danse in 2019, and her work includes Angel, Encounter, presented at both the ZemmourBallet and Quartiers Danses festivals, the award-winning Chimion, and Anges Lumières.

Titulaire d’un baccalauréat en danse, Emmanuelle Martin a étudié en France, aux États-Unis et au Canada. Affichant une prédilection pour la danse contemporaine et urbaine, elle impressionne par sa polyvalence, ses talents d’improvisatrice et sa forte présence sur scène. Depuis plus de dix ans, elle enchaîne les collaborations avec des artistes et compagnies du monde entier, notamment Van Grimde Corps Secret, Trip the Light Fantastic, Bouge de là, Audrey Gaussiran, Barbara Diabo, Jobel Art, Early Morning Opera et Sinha Danse.

Fondatrice de la compagnie Nouena Danse en 2019, Emmanuelle Martin signe également plusieurs spectacles dont Angel, Encounter – présenté aux festivals ZemmourBallet et Quartiers Danses – Chimion et Anges Lumières.

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Oliver Koomsatira

Oliver Koomsatira

Oliver Koomsatira has performed over 1,400 times in 250 dance, theatre, film, and TV productions, reaching 500,000 spectators across Canada, the United States, and Europe. His screenwork has 10 million audience members to this day. Oliver is the recipient of The Elsa Bolam Award (2008) in Recognition of Outstanding Achievement by an Emerging Theatre Artist, as well as MyTheatre's Outstanding Ensemble Award (2015) for Factory Theatre's Banana Boys. Throughout the years, he's had the opportunity to dance for various companies and choreographers such as PPS Danse, George Stamos (Agora de la danse), Ballet Ouest (Nutcracker), Willi Dorner (FTA), Sursaut Dance Company (Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur), Cirque du Soleil (Tapis Rouge) and Fleuve-Espace Danse (La Rotonde).

Oliver recently received 3 META nominations (Montreal English Theatre Awards 2022) for his solo play Psycho 6 for Outstanding Lead Performance (PACT Production), Outstanding New Text and Outstanding Contribution to Theatre (Choreography).

Oliver Koomsatira s’est produit sur scène plus de 1 400 fois dans plus de 250 productions du monde de la danse, du théâtre, de la télévision et du cinéma devant un public de près de 500 000 personnes au Canada, aux États-Unis et en Europe. À ce jour, son travail à l’écran a conquis 10 millions de fidèles. En 2008, Oliver Koomsatira remporte le prix Elsa Bolam qui récompense le travail d’un artiste émergent en théâtre, ainsi qu’un prix MyTheatre dans la catégorie de la meilleure prestation d’ensemble pour la pièce Banana Boys du Factory Theatre. Durant sa carrière, il s’est produit avec plusieurs compagnies de danse et chorégraphes, notamment PPS Danse, George Stamos (Agora de la danse), Ballet Ouest (Casse-Noisette), Willi Dorner (FTA), la compagnie de danse Sursaut (Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur), le Cirque du Soleil (Tapis Rouge) et Fleuve-Espace Danse (La Rotonde).

En 2022, sa pièce solo Psycho 6 lui vaut trois nominations aux Prix du théâtre anglophone de Montréal dans les catégories « meilleur interprète principal » (production de la PACT), « nouveau texte exceptionnel » et « contribution exceptionnelle au théâtre » (chorégraphie).

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Credits

The production, supported by the NAC’s National Creation Fund, premièred in Montreal, and was presented in Halifax in 2021. It went on to win a prestigious Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Touring Production of the Year in 2022 in conjunction with its presenter in Toronto, the Harbourfront Centre.

Artistic Director and Choreographer of A’nó:wara Dance Theatre, Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo, is a multi-award-winning dancer and choreographer who was notably named performer of the year of the Grand Prix de la danse de Montréal in 2021.

Using both contemporary and traditional practices, Diabo brings the past to the present in a way that will enthrall and resonate with audiences while deepening understanding of Indigenous people’s history.

Choreography and Direction
Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo

Music Direction
Michael Tekaronianeken Diabo 

Set and Video Design
Andy Moro

Lighting Direction
Aurora Torok

Costume Design
Jeff Chief 

Video Direction
Samuel Boucher

Co-Producer
Gregg Parks

Production Coordination
Claire Bourdin

Featuring
Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo
Keenan Simik Komaksiutiksak
Victoria May
Katie Samara Closs Couchie
Falciony Patino Cruz
Sebastian Hirtenstein
Emmanuelle Martin
Oliver Koomsatira

NAC Indigenous Theatre Team

Artistic Director
Kevin Loring
Managing Director
Lori Marchand
Producer
Samantha MacDonald
Associate Producer
Sage Nokomis Wright
Indigenous Cultural Resident
Mairi Brascoupé
Education Coordinator
Kerry Corbiere
Technical Director
Spike Lyne
Assistant Technical Director
Taylor Blanchette
Communications Strategist
Ian Hobson
Marketing Strategist
Jenna Spagnoli
Senior Marketing Manager
Bridget Mooney
Associate Producer #ReconcileThis
Paula Chinkiwsky

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees

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Sky Dancers: Honouring Strength and Resilience in The Community of Kahnawake

Artists

Artists

Credits

NAC Indigenous Theatre Team

Recognizing your support and passion

Donors’ Circle

Corporate Circle

Emeritus Circle