Samantha Sutherland
naⱡa (na-thla) is a grammar device used in the Ktunaxa language to imply plural or “we”. For this festival sharing, Samantha offers a solo excerpt of the ensemble work that is currently in development.
Four interrelated beings cross one another and connect through the spaces separating them. Losing themselves in the moment. Finding themselves at the mercy of their environment. An ever-evolving container of identities to choose from in order to match the circumstances given and afforded by fate. naⱡa asks why do we transform our behavior in accordance with our environment? Who are you now and who will you be where you are going to next?
choreography, performance Samantha Sutherland
mentor Olivia C. Davies
composer Sophie Dow
dancers in group work Cody Berry, Zachary Cardwell, Katie Couchie, Kristin DeAmorim
past outside eyes Aria Evans, Jera Wolfe
naⱡa premieres at Citadel Spring Mix in Toronto, April 2024. This work has been supported by The National Ballet of Canada, The Toronto Arts Council, and O.Dela Arts.
Samantha Sutherland is a contemporary dance artist, choreographer, and teacher based in Tkaronto. Her ancestry is Ktunaxa and Scottish/British Settler. She grew up on Coast Salish Territories and graduated from the Arts Umbrella Dance Diploma Program in 2018. She has worked as a guest artist with Ballet BC, and as an Associate Artist with Red Sky Performance. Samantha has been choreographing solo works since 2021 and has had the pleasure of presenting in festivals across Turtle Island including Matriarchs Uprising Festival by O.Dela Arts with presentations both in Vancouver and at the National Arts Centre, Sharing the Stage with The National Ballet of Canada, Night Shift by Fall for Dance North, Dance Made in Canada, and Weesageechak Begins to Dance by Native Earth Performing Arts. She has danced in new works by Alejandro Ronceria and Jera Wolfe. Throughout her choreographic processes Samantha has received mentorship from Olivia C. Davies, Alejandro Ronceria, Sebastian Hirtenstein, Teneil Whiskeyjack, and Aria Evans. She is an Artistic Associate with O.Dela Arts and co-curator of Indig-Dance film series for this year’s festival.