Valley Journal
artifacts, remnants and meta-data from our trip to the Kah-tep-was valley, summer 2020
We took this journey to continue land-based research for Kisiskâciwan, a solo project I'm creating and performing. Joining me was creative producer Deanna Peters. Kinanāskomitinān to my family; Elder and knowledge keeper Jhaik Windy Hair; the Canada Council for the Arts, New Dance Horizon; and Ahmed Khalil for their support.
Jul 25, 2020
Trip begins
Pics from our first day of driving through the Turtle Island Rockies. We left Vancouver at 4am and had breakfast in Kamloops with Madelaine McCallum. Much gratitude to Meredith Carter for putting us up in Calgary and to Jesse McMann for the visit.
Jul 26, 2020
We've arrived in my homeland, Treaty 4 territory
Our Airbnb is situated two blocks from my first childhood home, #nostalgia. Having fun with my road trip companions Deanna and Ahmed. Looking forward to working Kisiskâciwan on the original lands of the Cree, Ojibwe, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, Lakota and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. Hiy Hiy!
Jul 27, 2020
First work day
In the morning we gathered on the grass in front of our place to sing and dance. Elder Jhaik Windy Hair came by and I gifted him cedar from the coast. We checked in at the studio and I spent time with family.
Jul 28, 2020
Studio rehearsal
We began with a workout and some discussions around my teaching practice. We worked some sections of the solo and I even did a run later in the day :)
Jul 29, 2020
I am enough
After rehearsing in the studio, we headed outdoors for some explorations with DIY set materials.
Jul 30, 2020
We made a set prototype!
B-Say-Tah
Valleys of vulnerability. My childhood beach on Echo Lake.
Jul 31, 2020
Pasqua, Katepwa
Early morning rehearsal included swimming breaks. We followed this up with a picnic lunch and thrift shopping in Fort Qu'Appelle. In the afternoon, we headed to Katepwa Beach. #swiftflowinglandscape #landwatersky
Aug 1, 2020
Acâhko Nîmihitowin
We come from the stars. Connect with Kisik (sky) world. Kistâpisk (rock). Space potato. Day and night.
media content by Cameron Fraser, 2018
Aug 2, 2020
Wahkohtowin
An important visit with knowledge keeper Jhaik Windy Hair!
Kâ-Nîmihitot Atayohkan - voice of Jhaik
Later in the day, Ahmed lended a hand as sound assistant, to work some of the DIY recordings I've been making in the studio and out on the land.
Thunder & Rain - audio sample
Aug 3, 2020
Sâkihitowin (love)
DIY Audio session DELAY, delay, delay… Our planned morning session was postponed to the afternoon by a neighbourhood-wide power outage. Dance Break! Come and Get Your Love, one of my all-time fave Indig tunes by Redbone just dropped with a fresh new music video by Juan E. Bedolla. Original release 1974! So relevant to today's cultural climate and resonates with many of my current creative and personal investigations. EnJOY!
Aug 4, 2020
Tâpwê!
Back in the studio, together we took some time for ceremony and sharing from our hearts. We offered tobacco and sang our song to open the rehearsal.
Rock and run.
Aug 5, 2020
Mâtinamâkêwin
Today I performed a sharing of Kisiskâciwan so far. The small, COVID-safe audience was quite engaged… first mask cry… first mask belly laugh. And, they seemed surprised with how far along the project is. We closed with a circle and song. Much love and gratitude to everyone who came and received this offering. Here’s looking forward to the rest of the journey. Hiy hiy!
Aug 18, 2020
That's a wrap!
From Me & DP...
Niwâhkômâkanak - All My Relations: commissioned Métis cumberbun by Estrella Palomec Mckenna; wild flowers in contemporary Cumberland House (where my Kookum was from) beadwork style
Auntie loves you! (Berlin, Cypress, & Geneva)
