Towards building a Northern BC Collaborative Network

Co-created with Myriad Dance Projects and Change Makers' Education Society.

Funded by Canada Council on the Arts Sector Innovation and Development

"It was powerful to connect with other artists on Ts'msyen Territory.  We started with sharing protocol, sharing soup and sharing stories. It was stormy outside but within the circle it felt settling, incubating, warm, calming and rich with movement. At the end of our days together, we felt connection and also more clarity of why we do what we do."

-Miriam Colvin and Katie Wertz, Witsuwit'en Territory, Smithers BC

From May to November 2025, a group of six artists participated in a series of online conversations and meetings, culminating in a five-day residency on Ts’msyen La̱xyuup homelands (Prince Rupert). Conversation and reflections centred around how to be a better guest on Indigenous territories.

This collaborative work helps strengthen connections across Northern BC through the nurturing of relationships with local and regional Indigenous community members and artists. 

This work was a development from our Northern BC: Re-Centering Margins Creative Residency 2021/22 with Miriam, Katie, Fior, and Natu, and which included Lindsay Katsitsakatste Delaronde working with Natu. These collaborations later led to workshops  facilitated by Lindsay on Gitxsan and Witsuwit'en lands - Grounding in the Soil: Ethics and Accountability in the Arts - Building Bridges (2023) and Dancing the Medicine Dancing the Land, co-facilitated with Natu Bearwolf (2024). Nicholas Blackwater was introduced to the project by Fior Saoirse. 

The following days each artist had the opportunity to share their creative practices with each other and build connections in deep and meaningful ways. 

We are researching opportunities to continue building connections through dance in Northern BC

The November 7-11 2025 residency began with a welcome from Nick and Elders with a sharing of protocol, soup and sacred fire, and a full day of learning about the histories of the Ts’msyen through storytelling, song and dance.

It was such a lovely time bringing together artists. Having Nicholas Blackwater, Edith Blackwater and Henry Green share history with the youth from Change Makers at K'oomtk was very special. The history, learning and ceremony throughout the residency were very grounding. 

I was happy to share the space at Brilliant Experience Studio to foster connection and experimentation for the artists.

Fior Saorise Skye, Artist and Director Changemakers Education Society