Photo: Chris Randle
La Mitchin di Mitchif
"La Mitchin di Mitchif" is a compelling new Indigenous contemporary dance work by V’ni Dansi, meaning ‘Come and Dance’ in Mitchif. This production highlights plant medicines, exploring their uses and the deep, personal connections individuals form with the medicines that resonate with them. It celebrates intergenerational teachings, passed from Elders to youth, and underscores the critical roles of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in plant pollination, essential for the survival of all species.
In an era marked by environmental degradation and exploitation, "La Mitchin di Mitchif" focuses on the imperative to care for Mother Earth and the interconnectedness of all life. Our Elders have instructed us to return to the land and revive our traditional relationships with all beings. As custodians of the earth, we are called to protect her from the prevailing threats of greed, pollution, and destructive actions. Now is the time for Indigenous Peoples to impart our knowledge of sustainable coexistence with the Earth—aiming not to dominate but to live in harmony with her, and to rediscover the healing powers of natural medicines.
The creation of "La Mitchin di Mitchif" involved extensive consultations with Elders and cultural keepers, ensuring respect for cultural protocols and Indigenous ways of knowing as fundamental components of the artistic process.
Photo: Chris Randle
Project Created by: Yvonne Chartrand - Choreographer
Compaigni V'ni Dansi
Key Artistic Collaborators:
Yvonne Chartrand - Lead Dancer
Eloi Homier - Dancer
Lyric Tsuji - Dancer
Perelandra Waddle - Dancer (Pending)
Sophie Dow - Dancer
Keita Fournier-Pelletier - Dancer
Jessica Han - Production Manager (Pending)
TBD - Technical Designer (Pending)
Performance type: This work is built for the theatre
How do you define this work: Contemporary Metis dance
Length of performance: 60 minutes
Audience type: General Audience, Children/Family
General Technical Requirements: Performing Area
This production requires sprung floor with appropriate surfacing and a minimum playing area of 28 feet deep by 32 feet wide.
Masking
• Two sets of drapery to form the wings.
• A white scrim or cyc to cover the entire US wall
Rigging
The venue must be equipped with a full lighting grid with positions over the stage as well as in the FOH. The minimum trim height must be no less than 15’ with an optimum trim height between 18’ and 22’.
Lighting & Projection
The presenter must provide the following equipment:
PLAYBACK
Isadora and Qlab 3 or higher
SPECIAL EFFECTS
The show requires one DMX controlled water-based hazer for atmosphere requiring 500W power and DMX input.
LIGHTING
The show will use the house hang of the venue plus:
- 8x shins
- 8x head height side lights
- 8x tips
- Open white back wash
- LED back wash
- 5x 36°S4 in the FOH for front corridors
- 5x 50°S4 as back corridors
- 5x 19° top specials
- 6x iQs or moving lights for specials
PA
(2) grid-mountable, focusable speakers, with professional-quality amplification, capable of delivering a minimum of 200 watts per channel.
(2) small-profile, floor level speakers, with professional-quality amplification, capable of delivering a minimum of 100 watts per channel.
(2) monitors on stage for the performer.
MIXING CONSOLE Console must be able to playback from Qlab and send a feed to the onstage monitors.
CLEAR COM High quality (clear-com or equivalent) headset intercom system to include a total of 4 belt packs and 3 headsets: 1 at house lighting booth for stage management, 1 at sound operator’s position, 1 for a stagehand and 1 down centre as a cue-light for the performer. A backstage page and program sound system to include dressing rooms and other support areas.
Required amount of time for tech set up: 8 hours
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 6
Number of Support Staff on Tour: 2
Availabilities: 2025 Spring season, 2026/27 Season
V’ni Dansi
Vʼni Dansi is a Vancouver-based traditional Métis and contemporary dance company dedicated to sharing the dances, stories and culture of the Métis. Led by Artistic Director Yvonne Chartrand, the company is dedicated to preservation and innovation.
The Louis Riel Métis Dancers are composed of Métis and First Nations dancers. We include both professional dancers as well as community trained dancers bringing together everyone with a passion and love for Métis dance.
Vʼni Dansi holds the distinction of being the only company in Canada to teach and perform both Métis and contemporary dance. Meaning “Come and Dance” in Michif, Vʼni Dansi is thrilled to share the Métis peopleʼs joyful culture with audiences of all nations.
Performance History & Upcoming Performances
Premiere date: June 2022 in Vancouver
Tour in November 2024: performance in Vancouver and 3 performances in Saskatoon
2025 BC Tour: Evergreen Cultural Centre (Coquitlam), The Farquhar (Victoria), Key City Theatre (Cranbrook), Kicking Horse Culture (Golden), and Crimson Coast Society (Nanaimo)
Project Details
Outreach Activities
We can provide workshops on Metis history and culture. Our workshops are appropriate for audiences of all ages and include an introduction to Métis history and culture and a participatory tutorial on traditional Métis jigging.
Even though our work is produced for a full tech theatre, we are able to scale down the production needs, if necessary.