Aboriginal influence spreads in world of dance

Page 3

Two of Canada's leading theatre directors are reshaping modern arts and dance through an Aboriginal perspective.

Held during the Banff Arts Festival, "Bones: An Aboriginal Dance Opera" is a work shop production that was presented at the Margaret Greenham Theatre July 7 and 9. The production is a collaboration of Sadie Buck, director of Aboriginal Women's Voices, and choreographer Alejandro Ronceria, director of the Chinook Winds Aboriginal dance program.

"Opera is a medium to pass on our stories in new and dramatic scenes," said Ronceria. "In our communities we have always had music and dance. It is in our genealogy of who we are and how we are supposed to be here on the earth. In many cultures that is in place always. It is from that, that we are working.We are telling our stories of the earth and reshaping theatre. The whole sophistication is very complex as to our song and dance."

The songs and chants within the three-act dance opera are done in a completely original language created by the directors through the combined influences of Indigenous languages worldwide.

"We have worked together for the last five or six years matching up ideology and concepts, studying languages," said Ronceria. "How dance and music fit together and how every note and sound has a reason for being there.We discussed why this is happening here or there within the musical pieces, what it means, and it's effect."

Buck feels having a powerful effect on society is a key focus of their work, especially toward Aboriginal youth.

"I believe in our people and that this is who we should be and that our kids need to realize that we can do anything," said Buck."We have to open those doors, it is a part of our lives, our cycle to do so.They have all the skills and culture to reaffirm and confirm that we can live the life that we choose. It is important for them on many levels-employment too."

Ronceria, who comes from Colombia, and Buck, from the Seneca First Nation in Ontario, have ensured a complete representation of the Indigenous aspect of their production through their dancers. The eight dancers in the workshop production are Iroquois, Ojibway, Pottawatomi/Ojibway, Nakoda Stoney, Nga Puhi/Ngati Tarehape/Mahurhure (New Zealand), Mixteco, Metis/Sto:lo, and Mohawk.

While Bones continues to develop for its premiere at the 2001 Banff Arts Festival, Ronceria and Buck are inviting Aboriginal dancers and singers to audition. They will be taking auditions to fill positions for16 dancer-singers and four musicians for the full production.

Dancer Corinna Hunziker from New Zealand feels the concept of

Aboriginal tradition is always changing and moving forward, and she believes the production is about challenging that.

"For me tradition is keeping that respect for element and the past, but however you choose to portray that you can still keep an element of that sacredness," said Hunziker. "I think it challenges people's perception of tradition. I think it is giving them an initial taste of Indigenous cultures and it is a universal language that has been created. It is more about a universal Indigenous message, about cycles and earth mother. It think it gives non-Aboriginal people a different perception on our traditions and who we are as Indigenous people."

Plans for the full production include a life-size house and dancers that will be airborne on harnesses in some acts.