A new Indigenous arts series begins next month in Collingwood with an evening performance arts event at the Simcoe Street Theatre and hosted by Collingwood's poet laureate.
Called the Yonnhe’ón:we Indigenous Arts Series, the events will honour the life-giving spirit of story with the first event showcasing Indigenous storytelling through film, poetry and contemporary dance.
Beginning on Nov. 9, the first of the series will be hosted by Jillian Morris, the Collingwood poet laureate and Kanien’kehá:ka Turtle Clan member from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
Elder Myiingan Minonaakwhe (Jeff Monague) will start the evening of storytelling, followed by Morris with some original poetry.
There will then be a screening of the documentary called Blood and Water, by filmmaker and activist Layla Staats, who is also Kanien’kehá:ka Turtle Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River.
Staats will join Morris on the stage following the film to share more about Indigenous storytelling through film and her own journey of reclamation.
Blood and Water is a self-narrated documentary produced by Staats, that exposes the modern-day impact and generational trauma of residential schools. Layla Staats’ most recent work, Boil Alert, was featured at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
The award-winning contemporary dance troupe, Red Sky, will close the evening with a performance from the production Miigis: Underwater Panther. Miigis reveals the power of nature through dance, theatrical innovation and a fusion of athleticism, music and film.
The gallery outside of the theatre will showcase a collection of paintings curated by Shorelane Arts, also featuring the work of Indigenous artists.
Tickets for the Nov. 9 show which runs from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. are on sale through Eventbrite. To learn more visit www.collingwood.ca/yonne.
