MAINSTAGE 2026-27
nimihitowin!
An powwow showcase for all ages
*indoor/theater performance only
Powwow and hoop dance are beautiful expressions of Indigenous Peoples’ rich history and culture. Translated from Cree to mean "to dance" and "to be in movement", nimihitowin! (knee-me-toe-win) will mesmerize audiences with dramatic dancing, spectacular regalia and the subtle beauty of Native American flute songs. Insightful commentary about each dance will also enhance the performance as kids get the chance to celebrate this rich, cultural treasure with the Cree, Blackfoot and Stoney Nakoda dancers of Nimihitowin!.
Created exclusively for young audiences by acclaimed Cochrane-based Cree musician, contemporary dancer and choreographer V.J Sparvier-Wells, this energetic performance offers a rare opportunity to experience the stunning vibrancy of Indigenous culture through dance.
Schools and festivals are welcome to contact us to hear more about this performance. This pairs will with in-school performances of Powwow Mash-UP which don't interfere with Nimihitowin!
Wild Mint Arts
photo Cris Randle
TRAILER
ARTIST BIO
Wild Mint Arts delivers workshops, performances, and classes with Indigenous performing artists locally and from around the world. We value and support the diversity of Indigenous performing arts, recognizing its inherent inter-disciplinary elements. Empowering Indigenous people of all ages, abilities, and genders, we strive to offer inclusive programming, respectful of everyone.
Offering an opportunity for reconciliation, we serve the Indigenous community and our non-Indigenous community year-round.
We strive to empower Indigenous students within systems of education by offering Indigenous-only workshops from pre-school to Grade 9.
Performances and workshops serve professional, emerging and recreational artists. Performances and workshops serve businesses, schools, and communities. Offering engaging artistic programming for all members of a community regardless of identity builds stronger relationships.
Performance History & Upcoming Performances
We just finished a show run with the 2026 Vancouver International Childrens Festival for the 3rd year. We have also presented this in St. Albert with 10 shows a few years ago and self-produced in Invermere and Airdrie. We also finished a run of outdoor performances in May 2026 for Whistler Children's Festival, Trail Silver City Days, Cranbrook Children's Festival, and Penticton Ha Ha Ha Kidz Fest. We perform Powwow Mash-UP in schools, averaging 15 schools a year.
Project Created by: Virginia Sparvier-Wells/Elijah Wells
Key Artistic Collaborators:
Performers:
Jessica McMann, Elijah Wells,
Contracted Dancers based on availability: Theresa Daniels (Stoney Nakoda), Nyla Bedard (Tahltan, Kaska) Matthew Provost (Piikani/Blackfoot) Fawnda Bullshields (Kainai/Blackfoot) Rudy Benjamin (Stoney Nakoda)
Cultural Advisors: Molly Wells (Blackfoot) Cindy Daniels (Stoney) Pablo Russell (Blackfoot)
Sound Design: Virginia Sparvier-Wells
Music: Cris Derksen (Cree) Back Road Bandits (Stoney Nakoda) Flute (Virginia Sparvier-Wells)
Lighting design: Elijah Wells (Kainai)
Performance type: THIS WORK IS BUILT FOR THEATRE
How do you define this work: Indigenous dance theater
Length of performance: 45 -60 + talkback depending on theater needs
Audience type: Children/Family
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 6
Number of Support Staff on Tour: 1 option tour manager
Availabilities: 2028/29 Season ,2027/28 Season
Project Details
Community Engagement
General Technical Requirements: Projector, Black Light Canon, Changing areas on both sides of the stage, LAV, and microphone on a stand, talkback microphones, 2 specials (one red and one forest)
Required amount of time for tech set up: 4 hours, ideally 6 hours
Alternative Venues: We do have an alternative outdoor show not listed here.
We offer week long workshops with local Indigenous communities and they have an opportunity to open for the show, creating more community engagement for the theater as well. This fee is worked out with the presenter and the community.
Outreach Activities
We offer workshops for 16+ in dance. $400/hr
We have a songs and rattles experience for K-Grad 3. $300 for a 30 minute workshop, all supplies provided.