Round dances used in Idle No More

Idle No More on Parliament Hill / Photo by Nadya Kwandibens/Red Works

>> by Naomi Brand 
The ongoing Idle No More (INM) protest movement has brought flash mob round dances to streets, shopping malls and public spaces across Canada over the past couple of months. The protest movement led by First Nations in response to the Harper government’s Bill C-45 has garnered the support of many artists including Santee Smith, artistic director of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre. "The flash mob round dances we are seeing as a part of INM comes from Powwow Intertribal, meaning all Nations are welcomed and encouraged to dance," says Smith who is actively involved in the INM movement. “For me the round dance represents a kinetic and spiritual commitment to unity and harmony. To dance you must commit to the energy of the circle, make contact by holding hands, witness others around the circle, unify to the heartbeat pulse of the drum and power of the song. It makes sense at this time of Indigenous awakening and resurgence that the round dances have become a significance part of the movement.” Hundreds of musicians, writers, theatre artists and dancers have signed the Canadian Artists Statement of Solidarity written by Winnipeg musician John K Samson calling for "healthy, just, equitable, and sustainable communities."

More: www.idlenomore.ca

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canadian-Artists-Statement-of-Solidarity-with-Idle-No-More/317069378411312

Nancy Kilgour receives Order of Canada

>> by Samantha Mehra
Nancy Kilgour, senior pedagogue at the School of Alberta Ballet, was invested into the Order of Canada in 2012 to recognize her contributions to dance in Canada as a teacher of the Cecchetti method of ballet and her fifty-year career in dance. After her early training with Betty Oliphant and Celia Franca, Kilgour taught for both the National Ballet School and the National Ballet, while also performing with the latter. In addition to being the first Canadian awarded a Canada Council grant to study educational techniques at the Bolshoi Ballet in 1967, she was one of the first Canadians to obtain the highest Cecchetti examination levels in England. Kilgour's investiture also recognizes a vast career of international teaching and professional development. In addition to teaching in China, England, Sweden and Belgium, Kilgour studied ballet education techniques at the School of American Ballet, the Kirov School in St. Petersburg, and the School of the Paris Opera. Some of her pupils include Karen Kain, Darcey Bussel and Veronica Tennant.

The Healing Power of Art

Kathleen Rea

>> by Jaimée Horn
Dancer, teacher, choreographer and expressive arts therapist Kathleen Rea has just published her first book, The Healing Dance: The Life and Practice of an Expressive Arts Therapist. Currently on faculty at George Brown College, Rea is also artistic director of REAson d’etre dance productions and a Dora Award winner for her choreography. In her new book, she openly shares the story of her struggle with body image throughout her career as a dancer with The National Ballet of Canada. After years of hurt and hunger, she found healing through what she calls "honest creative expression". The book outlines her approach to healing through the arts and provides intimate examples from her practice as an expressive arts therapist. She also addresses the art of grief by sharing the story of the loss of her father. When talking about this chapter, she says, “writing that provided so much relief of my grief." The book is available for purchase from Charles C Thomas Publisher and Amazon. For more information: www.reasondetre.com / www.flowintolife.com / www.the-healing-dance.com.