The St. Clair Catholic District School Board, in collaboration with the Chatham Capitol Theatre, will present two live performances of Homelands by the internationally acclaimed Kaha:wi Dance Theatre on October 10, 2024. Created by Six Nations choreographer Santee Smith, Homelands is an award-winning multimedia dance piece that explores the deep connection between humans and the natural world. The performance combines imagery, sound, and dance to reflect on intergenerational ties to land and water, with themes of balance and environmental conservation.
Recognized for its artistic excellence, Homelands received the prestigious Dora Award for Outstanding Achievement in Design in Dance, along with nominations for Outstanding Original Sound Composition, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble, and Outstanding Production.
Cortnee Goure, Indigenous Education Lead at SCCDSB, emphasized the importance of this event, stating, “Homelands serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of the land and water and taking time to learn first hand from Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Systems. This performance offers a unique opportunity for students to engage in an immersive experience and reflect on the connection with the land.”
This special performance falls just two weeks after Orange Shirt Day on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which commemorates residential school survivors and the children who never returned home. Goure added that the timing of Homelands is significant, as it “continues the journey of learning and reconciliation, helping students understand the importance of preserving Indigenous languages and cultural knowledge.”
Superintendent Lisa Demers encouraged both students and the public to attend. “This is an incredible opportunity to experience a performance that transcends time and space, celebrating our connection to nature. We encourage everyone to participate and reflect on the important messages conveyed.”
There will be a student performance at 11:00 AM, with tickets priced at $5 per student, followed by a general public performance at 7:00 PM. Tickets for the evening show are available at CK Tickets (http://www.cktickets.com).