Luu hlotitxw: Spirit Transforming is the signature new dance work by the Dancers of Damelahamid. Spirit Transforming combines the richness and beauty of the tradition of Gitxsan masked dance and also explores presenting this genre in a minimalistic way in order to relook at its primary elements, the very essence of this dance form.

Spirit Transforming tells a story that responds to contemporary times through the main character’s portrayal of a young person in their search of self. It asks the question, “What is contemporary Aboriginal identity in traditional dance forms?” in order to create a complex understanding of diversity of Aboriginal artistic practices. The story in its entirety carries so much relevance to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people where we are threading together our sense of self and moving forward from our common colonial history.

The Dancers of Damelahamid of the Gitxsan nation is founded on over four decades of extensive work of song restoration. The Dancers of Damelahamid emerged in the 1960s out of an urgency to ensure that the knowledge of their ancestors was not lost. The current direction of the Dancers of Damelahamid to redefine and characterize their practice, to honour this history in order that the dances may continue to be tangible and accessible for the next generation.

Showcase Artist: Pacific Contact 2015

Home Base: British Columbia