About
Join MacKenzie Art Gallery Executive Director & CEO John G. Hampton and exhibition curator Candice Hopkins as they share opening remarks for Indian Theater: Native Performance, Art, and Self-Determination since 1969. The evening will begin with a Land Acknowledgement and Opening Song by Eliza Sangwais, Kimberley OKeeweehow, Robyn OKeeweehow, Memphis Noname, and Layla OKeeweehow-Desnomie. A performance by Joseph Naytowhow and Cheryl L’Hirondelle called ē-kwēskimot (s/he/they transform) will follow the talk. After the performance, guests are invited to enjoy a reception and view the exhibition.
ABOUT THE LIVE PERFORMANCE
ē-kwēskimot (s/he/they transform) is a collaboration between interdisciplinary artist/songwriter Cheryl L’Hirondelle and storyteller/singer/knowledge keeper Joseph Naytowhow.
This ritualized storytelling and singing performance is an extension of both their community-engaged transformation exercise and their participatory gallery installation (of the same name). The event centres around paskwāw-mostos (buffalo), a ceremonial and life-affirming being with transformational qualities and abilities as told via a story of our elder sibling’s transformation into the buffalo family. The story teaches us to stick together and not be so concerned with individuating. It is about listening and respecting the ways of others to fit in and survive.
Programming for this event is supported by TD.