As I’ve been exploring the notion of contemporary Canadian Aboriginal identity, it seemed quite obvious that I should be see how this is manifesting in the arts. As with many ‘images’ of First Nations cultures that I’ve encountered growing up, I was often left with a very fixed notion of what Aboriginal art is, giving it the appearance of something that is static and has remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years. We see this kind of work lining the shelves of souvenir shops in Gastown or YVR, always the appearance of something that is a replica of something from the past, rather than a conduit through which contemporary Aboriginal artists explore aspects of identity and history.
From what I’ve read and seen through the promotional trailers, the Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, operating in one form or another, is a great example of Aboriginal art that transcends stereotypes and blends tradition with modernity. According to the company’s mandate, their philosophy is “To explore the intersection of Indigenous and new dance performance, to create and present theatrical productions, and to educate and engage artists, audiences and diverse communities through Indigenous performing arts encompassing disciplines of music, storytelling, theatre and design.”
Among the numerous productions the company has staged, I found the concept of The Honouring quite interesting, as it portrayed these historical events from an Aboriginal perspective. The dance conveys the importance of their role in aiding the British defend Canada from American forces, specifically as sovereign Nation allies to the British. Considering that the Canadian government was making a big push last year to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, I made a point of looking at the official government website and press releases. Predictably, very little was mentioned of the roles of First Nations, apart from key players who fit nicely into the existing, dominant narrative. Check out The Honouring Trailer for a sampling of the Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s unique interpretation of history through Aboriginal song and dance storytelling.
