Photo: Krystal Silverfox
Nimihitowin!
A powwow performance celebration for all ages!
Powwow dance, hoop dance and Métis jigging 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 Métis dancers of Nimihitowin!.
Created exclusively for young audiences by acclaimed Calgary-based Cree musician, contemporary dancer and choreographer Jessica McMann, this energetic performance offers a rare opportunity to experience the stunning vibrancy of Indigenous culture through dance.
Wild Mint Arts
Photo:
Project Created by: Jessica McMann/Elijah Wells
Key Artistic Collaborators:
Performers:
Jessica McMann, Elijah Wells, Tina Hebert
Contracted Dancers based on availability: Nadine LaPlante (Metis), Jaityn LaBelle (Metis), Triston Rattlesnake (Cree/Sioux), Fawnda Bullshields(Blackfoot), Allyson Dennehy (Cree/Mixed), Emily Solstice (Anishinaabe)
Cultural Advisors: Molly Wells (Blackfoot) Cindy Daniels (Stoney) Pablo Russell (Blackfoot)
Sound Design: Jessica McMann
Performance type: This work is built for a theatre, Full Length Work
How do you define this work: Indigenous Dance Theatre - Families/youth
Length of performance: 60 minutes
Audience type: Children/Family, General Audience
General Technical Requirements:
Blacklight Cannon (1 or 2)
2 specials (one forest, one red spotlight)
1 microphone on a stand
Talkback microphones
Does the work require tech residency: 4 hours, ideally 6 hours
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 8
Number of Support Staff on Tour:
Availabilities: 2024/25 season, & 2025/26 season
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
2023
FUSION Tunde Jegede, Revelstoke/Nelson/Oliver BC November 10-17th
to dance with Fervour. New Works Dance/All Over the Map, Vancouver BC
July 16th
5 shows/4 schools Indigenous Awareness Week Calgary
June 19-23rd
Nimihitowin! Bert Church Theater, Airdrie, AB May 12th
Untitled New Good Women Dance, Edmonton May 6th
Fusion Tunde Jegede, Revelstoke/Nelson BC Feb 22-25
Hoop Dance Coastal First Nations Dance Festival, Vancouver March 4/5
Project Details
Community Engagement
We can offer solo hoop dance performance for schools $1000 for a 35-45 minute performance. Includes flute songs, teacher participation, and Q & A period.
We can offer in-school performances with three dancers including hoop dance $1600 for 45-60 minute performance. Includes flute songs, teacher participation, and Q & A
We can offer community level dance workshops for 16+ in hoop dance $400 for 1-1.5 hrs
Lecture on Indigenous dance history for adults and post secondary $400 CARFAC Rates for 1.5 hr lecture
In the past have taught block week courses at BC Colleges $1500 block week fee + lodging
We are more than happy to do specialized workshops with the local indigenous community. These are typically all ages. If you want the community to make their own hoops, supplies cost is $500 and the presenter will need to provide a community meal as well. This fee is negotiable.
Contact information
Elijah Wells, wildmintarts@gmail.com
Website: https://www.wildmintarts.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildmintarts/