Indigenous women weaving stories of
photo: Christine Friday, by Gerry Gooderham
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Matriarchs Uprising Festival 2025
February 17-22, 2025
at The Dance Centre, Morrow, and online
Indigenous women weaving stories of
photo: Christine Friday, by Gerry Gooderham
February 17-22, 2025
at The Dance Centre, Morrow, and online
O.Dela Arts, in partnership with The Dance Centre, is thrilled to present the seventh edition of Matriarchs Uprising, a celebration of contemporary dance by Indigenous women artists. This edition of the festival offers four evenings of live performance, along with conversations, masterclasses, workshops and on-demand film series to witness through the week.
Curated by Olivia C. Davies, the 2025 line-up features dance works by Vancouver's own Raven Spirit Dance who will be premiering their newest creation, Tracing Bones. Lara Kramer returns to Vancouver with Gorgeous Tongue. Christine Friday brings the Western Canada premiere of Bawaajgun: Visions IN Dreams, created in collaboration with champion Hoop dancer, Beany John. O.Dela Arts artistic associates share a program of new works including naⱡa by Samantha Sutherland and all roads lead home 3.0 by Sophie Dow. For the festival closing event, audiences will experience the world premiere of TOA III by Maöri choreographer, Bella Waru, followed by festival closing reception featuring live music by Tsimka Martin and Michael Red.
At the heart of this year's theme, "Celebrating Our Strength", are the Anishinaabe Seven Grandfather teachings, witnessed through the strength of our women: those who live love; who have courage; who are humble; who show respect; who are truthful; who are honest; and who are wise. When we take the chance to offer our inner strength out to the world, and take action to make the world a better place, we take our place as leaders, as matriarchs. Mnaajaadaanig eniigaaniijig kwewag. Let's celebrate the women leaders; those who uplift one another and inhabit the strength of our resilience. (Olivia C. Davies)