Homelands, a meditation on the connection between Indigenous women, their lands and waterways since time immemorial: With Santee Smith
Live on CIUT 89.5 FM
Airing Date: April 13, 2023
Host/ Producer: Nicole Inica Hamilton
Assistant Production Manager: Amber Downie-Back
Featured Guest(s): Santee Smith
Tune in for this special feature for an advanced listening opportunity before it airs on our broadcast station CIUT 89.5 FM. On this feature, Santee Smith, Artistic Director of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre sits down on the show to open up about discovery, history, connection, and the premiere of Homelands. The multimedia performance created by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre presents in Toronto, ON. at Harbourfront Centre on April 14 and 15, 2023. Learn more, and access tickets at www.harbourfrontcentre.com.
About Santee Smith
Founding and Managing Artistic Director of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, Chancellor at McMaster University, artist and guest speaker. Tekaronhiáhkhwa Santee Smith iónkia’ts, konkwehón:we, Kahnyen’kehàka. Wakeniáhton tánon Ohawé:ken nitewaké:nòn. Ka’nisténhsera í:ken tánon tekeninniáhkhwa. Tekhenonhwerá:tons Tsi nahò:ten ká:ien ne ohwentsia’kéhshin tánon karonhia’kéhson.
Smith is an internationally recognized leader in the performing arts, a multidisciplinary artist and producer from the Kahnyen’kehàka (Mohawk) Nation and Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario. She is one of Canada’s leading dance artists and holds McMaster University degrees in Physical Education and Psychology and a Master of Arts in Dance from York University.
Smith completed six years of training at Canada’s National Ballet School, undertook theatre training and earned her degrees. Returning to dance as a choreographer in 1996, Smith created and produced her first dance work, Kaha:wi, a family creation story. In 2005, she founded the Kaha:wi Dance Theatre with a vision to explore the intersection of Indigenous and new performance, international Indigenous collaborations and training. Through her research and creative practice, she is a strong voice for Indigenous dramaturgy, process and advocacy.
Smith’s artistic work speaks about identity and Indigenous narratives. Her work includes 14 productions and numerous short works which tour nationally and internationally. Her commissions include choreography for the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company and the North American Indigenous Games, among others. Smith is a sought-after teacher and speaker on the performing arts and Indigenous performance and culture, most recently at Stratford Festival. Her life and works have been the topic of TV series and films aired on CBC, NFB, APTN and PBS (US), and most recently on CBC Arts – The Move II. She is the 19th Chancellor of McMaster
University.
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