The Indigenous Dancer in Residence Program is produced by Neighbourhood Dance Works, in partnership with First Light Friendship Centre, Spirit Song Festival and The Arts and Culture of Newfoundland and Labrador. The residency fosters collaboration and exploration of dance in an indigenous-led process with artists in Newfoundland and Labrador.
This project is one of our many initiatives that aim to address priorities linked to the Truth and Reconciliation dialogue, so that Neighborhood Dance Works can explore the role of dance in our collective national journey. We are committed to ensuring dance has a visible and meaningful place in this dialogue that situates and supports Indigenous dancers in the regional and national conversation.
Dancer Possesom Paul, from the St. Mary’s First Nation (NB) was invited to stay for an extended period to begin a research and exploration process with two regional Indigenous artists, Meagan Musseau and Rebecca Shar. With Possesom as the lead artist – all three dancers took part in the initial phase of creative collaboration on June of 2019, and carried out the creation phase of residency on Sept 2019.
In Nov 2019, all three artists took part in the Opening Act presentation at the ACC, as part of the Jeremy Dutcher presentation. Possesom also taught workshops to the wider community during the Spirit Song Festival and took part in a round table with other Atlantic Canadian artists.
We are excited and looking forward to explore our Indigenous Dancer in Residency program further!