Kaha:wi Dance Theatre presents The Honouring
Watch history come to life! A site-specific multi-disciplinary performance, The Honouring pays homage to First Nations warriors of the War of 1812, featuring Onkwehonwe families who sacrificed to protect Haudenosaunee sovereignty, culture and land.
Audiences have the opportunity to understand the complexity of the War of 1812 through the experiential lens of First Nations, offering a human face to our history. All First Nations took part in the War of 1812 as sovereign Nation allies to Britain. The Honouring pays homage to their personal sacrifices and belief in what was the best for their family, community and future generations.
“You may rely on it that without the Indians we never could keep this country and that with them [on the British side] the Americans never will take the upper posts…for in the woods, where the Americans must past, one Indian is equal to three white men.” – Canadian Militia Officer John Askin to Judge William D. Powell, Jan. 25, 1813
The Honouring premiered at Toronto’s historic Fort York on June 20-22, 2013, followed by performances at the Woodland Cultural Centre on June 25-26 and Fort Erie on June 29-30.
Accolades include:
“The Honouring took the audience on a heartfelt journey through war, death and grief, but always with dignified ceremony.” – Paula Citron, Globe & Mail, 2013
“[T]he evocative musical score touched the soul with its mix of native chanting and beautiful instrumental passages…” – Paula Citron, Globe & Mail, 2013
“An emotional and poignant message packaged in athletic and rhythmic dance…” – Jim Windle, Tekawennake News, 2013
Credits
Artistic Direction/Choreographer/Concept/Songwriter/Performer: Santee Smith
Artists: Santee Smith, Emily Law, Michael Demski, Nimkii Osawamick, Alex Twin, Jacob Pratt, Garret C. Smith, Cheri Maracle, Joshua DePerry, and Jesse Dell
Lighting Design: Alaina Perttula
Video Design/Technical Direction: Andrew Moro
Video and Technical Assistant: Ashley Bomberry
Additional Props and Design: Steve Smith, Santee Smith, Elaine Redding
Creative Producer: Santee Smith
Composer/Arrangement: Lou Pomanti
Additional Composition: Adrian Harjo
Commissioned Songwriters: Jennifer Kreisberg, George Buck
Recorded Singers: Nikki Shawana, Sadie Buck, Gary Parker, Santee Smith
Additional Video performers: Derek Martin, Danny Vyse, Carey-Leigh Thomas, Riley Hill, Christopher Mejaki
Production Photography: David Hou
Watch a Trailer for The Honouring
The Honouring Trailer from kahawidance on Vimeo.
The Honouring pays homage to First Nations warriors of the War of 1812, featuring Onkwehonwe families who sacrificed to protect Haudenosaunee sovereignty, culture and land. Audiences have the opportunity to understand the complexity of the War of 1812 through the experiential lens of First Nations, offering a human face to our history. All First Nations took part in the War of 1812 as sovereign Nation allies to Britain. The Honouring pays homage to their personal sacrifices and belief in what was the best for their family, community and future generations.
About Kaha:wi Dance Theatre
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (KDT) is one of Canada’s leading contemporary dance companies, recognized for its seamless fusing of Indigenous and contemporary dance into a compelling signature choreographic vision. Internationally renowned for artistic excellence, innovation and collaboration, KDT electrifies audiences from Canada and around the globe.
Kaha:wi (Ga-HA-Wee) means “to carry” in the Mohawk language and is a traditional name for Smith’s family. KDT carries culture through dance, theatre, music and design. Their vision is to be a dynamic force in contemporary dance in Canada, a centre for creativity, innovation, artistry and Aboriginal expression that reflects, honours and celebrates culture.
KDT was founded by Artistic Director Santee Smith, a leading Canadian choreographer “her highly charged, traditional/contemporary/ballet fusion eats up the stage” (Globe and Mail). Known for her meaningful, athletic and earth-bound movement language her work is visually stunning, deeply symbolic, spiritually stirring and entertaining. “My work is a response and a reflection of the world in which I live. Through dance I am able to express my dreams, visions and stories, both historical and contemporary.” – Santee Smith
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s Artistic Season sees annual performances at Ontario and Torontos’ Harbourfront Centre; national and international touring; one-of-a-kind dance training programs such as Aboriginal Dance Training (ADT) and our March Break Dance Camp for youth. KDT has been thrilling mature, family and young audiences with its original and powerful productions. Critical acclaimed young audience work, A Story Before Time has reached thousands of students across Canada and the USA. Since inception, KDT’s repertoire includes Productions recognized as significant contributions to dance in Canada.
Date
Sunday, September 20, 2015
12:00 pm
Venue
Del Crary Park
Peterborough, ON
Click here to see a map
Admission
By donation, suggested $10 or PWYC (pay-what-you-can)
Ages 16 and up only, please.
Sunday, Sept 20 at 12PM: Powwow Boot Camp with Kaha:wi Dance Theatre with Nimkii Osawamick
Are you looking for an exciting and fresh way to energize your training routine? Powwow Boot Camp is here!
Join Public Energy and Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (KDT) Sunday, September 20 at 12:00 PM for this high-energy Powwow/dance training class. Led by KDT instructors Nimkii Osawamick and Jesse Dell in Peterborough’s Del Crary Park, this is a fun and intensive boot-camp-style workout for people interested in maximizing their physical fitness.
KDT’s Powwow Boot Camp allows participants to learn or practice skills in Indigenous dance forms of Powwow and Onkehon:we (Iroquois) social dances. These dances are performed in combination with exciting and challenging cardiovascular/physical conditioning exercises, contemporary dance, as well as incorporating the Muscle and Bone system.
Focusing on body and spatial awareness through full-bodied movement sequences Powwow Boot Camp targets core strength in addition to muscularity of the legs. Move, dance, sweat, and energize your body-mind-spirit, while listening to fabulous music in a social and invigorating environment.
Powwow Boot Camp is designed for people ages 16 & up. Please wear workout clothing and make sure to bring plenty of water for hydration. Shoes are not required, but are perfectly welcome.
“Celebrate being alive and be prepared to sweat!”
For more information, please visit Kaha:wi’s The Honouring webpage, or call or email Public Energy during regular office hours at 705-745-1788 or admin@publicenergy.ca.
Artistic Producer Bill Kimbal: bill@publicenergy.ca
