First Nations dance companies perform at free event this Saturday

This Saturday, Ancestralizing the Present will “explore how First Nations protocol informs collaborations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous dance artists,” according to the press release. For people interested or curious about First Nations dance, it’s a chance to catch some of the West Coast’s finest practitioners.

Curated by Dance Centre Artist-in-Residence Dr Mique’l Dangeli (Tsimshian Nation), the event features Squamish dancer group Spakwus Slulem (Eagle Song Dancers) and vertical dance company Aeriosa, and Northwest Coast First Nations mask dancers Git Hayetsk.

Margo Kane, Artistic Managing Director of Full Circle: First Nations Performance, will be part of a panel discussion on collaborations between Indigenous people of different First Nations. The final event of the day is the presentation of a new collaborative work by three of the groups performing at the event – Aeriosa, Spakwus Slulem, and Git Hayetsk. Ancestralizing the Present takes place at Dance Centre (677 Davie St.) from 1 – 7 p.m. June 10.

Born and raised on the Annette Island Indian Reserve, Sm Łoodm ’Nüüsm (Dr. Mique’l Dangeli) is a dancer, choreographer, curator, activist, and Assistant Professor of Alaska Native Studies at the University of Alaska Southeast. For the past 14 years, she and her husband, Nisga’a artist Mike Dangeli, have shared the leadership of Git Hayetsk.

Ancestralizing the Present schedule of events:

1-1.30 p.m. Performances: Spakwus Slulem (Eagle Song Dancers) and Aeriosa – Trees Are Portals
1.30-1.45 p.m. Workshop: Learn a social dance (Gathering of the Eagles)
2-2.30 p.m. Talkback and Q&A: Mique’l Dangeli, Spakwus Slulem, Aeriosa
2.30-3 p.m. Talk: An introduction to Mique’l Dangeli’s research on First Nations protocol, collaborative practices, and ancestralizing the present
3-3.30 p.m. Performance: Thunderbird Song & Dance by Git Hayetsk
3.45-4.15 p.m. Talkback Panel: Collaborations between Indigenous people of different First Nations, with Mique’l Dangeli, Margo Kane, Rebecca Campbell
4.15-4.45 p.m. Thunderbird Collaboration Workshop Demonstration
5:00-5:30 Final Performance: New collaborative work by Aeriosa, Spakwus Slulem, and Git Hayetsk
5:45-7 p.m. Closing remarks and reception