Continuance is the state of remaining in existence.
Continuance as a Grand Act is an embodiment of resilience. A celebration of Indigenous continuance the drive-in theatre shines light, 3D mapping on the dark oppressiveness of the Mohawk Institute Residential School.
With an immersive interplay with live intergenerational Haudenosaunee performers, the new media incorporates ancient-future imagery illuminating that the 142-year history of the school did not destroy cultural perpetuity. Disintegrating the facade of the school into images portraying cultural strength, beauty and iconic Haudenosaunee imagery. Coded within our iconographies are meaningful ways to live in the world with balanced harmony.
Continuance was performed for a live audience on Saturday, October 3, 2020 in Six Nations, ON. This live performance adheres to the health and safety guidelines of the region in which it was recorded.
Watch the introduction here. American Sign Language video available here.
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Presentation Partner: Woodland Cultural Centre
Creative Producer, Director, Performer: Santee Smith
Santee is a multidisciplinary artist from the Kahnyen’kehàka Nation, Turtle Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River. Santee trained at Canada’s National Ballet School and completed Physical Education and Psychology degrees from McMaster University and a M.A. in Dance from York University. Santee premiered her debut work Kaha:wi-a family creation story, in 2004 and one year later founded Kaha:wi Dance Theatre which has grown into an internationally renowned company. Santee’s artistic work speaks about identity and Indigenous narratives. Her body of work includes 14 productions and numerous short works which tour nationally and internationally. She is the recipient of numerous awards most recently the inaugural Johanna Metcalf Prize for the Performing Arts; Outstanding Production and Outstanding Performance Ensemble in Dance at the 2019 for Blood Tides; and her production The Mush Hole received five Dora Mavor Moore awards in 2020. Santee is a sought-after teacher and speaker on the performing arts and Indigenous performance and culture. Smith is the 19th Chancellor of McMaster University.
@santeesmith
Santee est une artiste multidisciplinaire de la nation Kahnyen’kehàka, clan de la Tortue, Six Nations de la rivière Grand. Formée à l’École nationale de ballet du Canada, elle est titulaire de diplômes en éducation physique et en psychologie de l’Université McMaster ainsi que d’une maîtrise en danse de l’Université York. Elle a présenté sa première œuvre, Kaha:wi, un récit de création familial, en 2004. Un an plus tard, elle a fondé la troupe Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, dont la renommée est devenue internationale. La démarche artistique de Santee aborde l’identité et les récits autochtones. Dans son œuvre, on compte 14 productions et bon nombre de numéros courts qui sont présentés dans des tournées nationales et internationales. Artiste très primée, Santee a reçu récemment le tout premier prix Johanna Metcalf pour les arts de la scène. Pour Blood Tides, elle a reçu les prix de la meilleure production et de la meilleure troupe de danse en 2019. Puis, en 2020, The Mush Hole lui a valu cinq prix Dora Mavor Moore. Elle est très convoitée dans son rôle d’enseignante et de conférencière experte des arts de la scène et de la culture autochtones (y compris les spectacles). Elle est aussi la 19e chancelière de l’Université McMaster.
@santeesmith
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