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Yonnhe’ón:we – Kenkwité:ne
May 30 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
$25
Yonnhe’ón:we – Kenkwite’:ne
Yonnhe’ón:we Indigenous Arts Series returns with Kwah io ianereh, a unique evening of storytelling weaving video, dance and music. Dancers Kean Buffalo and Jaeili Rae, will delight audiences with a mix of pow-wow and hip-hop creating a unique experience of dance performance. Set against the backdrop of music videos by contemporary Indigenous musicians STOIK, DJ Shub, Prolific the Rapper and Halluci Nation (A Tribe Called Red), it will be an evening to remember.
Blended through the performance will be a video discussion featuring award-winning filmmaker, actor, and show-runner, Jennifer Podemski that looks at her evolution as a storyteller, starting as an actor to setting up the first Indigenous owned-production company in the country. The common thread through her career is her passion to bring Indigenous representation to Canadian screens. Led by Jillian Morris the discussion dives into Podemski’s career as a mixed Anishinaabe-Ashkenazi storyteller, and her advocacy to build safer spaces for diverse storytellers within the film and television industry.
Kean Buffalo, Dancer
Kean Buffalo aka Winterhawk is a 25 year old Indigenous hip hop & freestyle dancer from Ermineskin Cree Nation (Maskwasic, Alberta). Winter enjoys inspiring youth to strive for their goals, and is a big believer that we can make our dreams into reality. Winter loves putting a smile on people’s faces, and is a big believer that laughter is medicine. He’s love of dance has been with him since he was born and has been dancing hip-hop for over 13 years. Winter is grateful for every opportunity to share the love of dance with others.
Jaeili Rae, Dancer
Jaeili Ray is an Indigenous dancer from Onion Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan, Treaty 6. She is a freestyler who continues to expand her style. She has been dancing powwow since she was 8 as fancy but then turned to Jingle at 12 years old. She is currently studying theatre at the Centre for Indigenous Theatre in Toronto, Ontario.
Jennifer Podemski, Actor / Director / Producer / Show-Runner
Jennifer is an actress, producer, director, and CEO of Redcloud Studios. As a result of her recognition in the Canadian film and television industry, Jennifer shifted her career to focus on producing in her attempt to address the lack of Indigenous representation in the industry. She co-founded Big Soul Productions, Canada’s first Indigenous-owned and operated production company, and later launched her current company, Redcloud Studios. In combination with her personal story and motivational words, Jennifer Podemski empowers her audience through a lens of advocacy and stories.
Jillian Morris, Collingwood Poet Laureate & Event Host
Jillian Morris is Kanien’kehaka and band member of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, currently residing in Collingwood.
Jillian has established her presence in community as a writer with local media, publishing pieces that contribute to fostering a healthier Indigenous/non-Indigenous relationship. She believes that art is an impactful medium to build bridges between cultures and worldviews. Jillian’s poetry layers traditional teachings and interconnection with the natural world to explore identity, redress untruths and foster connection.