From March 4-9, Vancouver hosted the 18th annual Coastal Dance Festival, bringing together Indigenous artists to share and support one another in a celebration of lived artistic practices. It was a celebration of community, culture, and spiritual connection with the lands upon which we stand.
Upon entering UBC’s Museum of Anthropology, one could tell that this festival extended far beyond entertainment. The performance space was surrounded by towering totem poles, strikingly lit to emphasize every little carving in the cedar.
At the two evening performances on Mar. 4 and 5, three separate dance groups took the stage. Each one was profoundly impactful, immersing the audience in a state of reflection, gratitude for the earth, and reverence for Indigenous culture and stewardship.
A particularly striking element was how deeply this festival emphasized community; a sense of togetherness that’s often missing in colonial culture, especially here in present-day Vancouver where individualism can be so prevalent. From the very start, there was a sense of connection, with the leader of the first group greeting family members in the audience, calling out to his cousins as he saw them.
Despite the festival featuring different groups from various regions across BC, there was a strong sense of mutual respect, reciprocity, and love. What connected them was song and dance, which was incredibly powerful.
A key element of many Indigenous cultures, particularly here on the West Coast of Turtle Island, is the emphasis on human connection to the land; a reciprocal relationship in which we must give more than we take. The land gives us life, and in return we must preserve and care for it.
Laura Grizzlypaws and her daughter. Photo: Chris Randle
Laura Grizzlypaws, an educator who advocates for the importance of language revitalization, gave a performance that was as impactful as it was educational. She is a pillar in the preservation of Indigenous culture, particularly pertaining to her St’át’imc heritage. She spoke about unity – the power of coming together, regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion. That unity, she emphasized, is a powerful force that transcends individual differences. The ability to uplift Indigenous cultures and practices is in the hands of us all, regardless of our heritage. Grizzlypaws spoke about the power of song and dance in forming community and connection. She also highlighted the role of song in language revitalization, particularly amongst Indigenous youth.
Many performances highlighted the vital role of women as cultural leaders, emphasizing their responsibility in preserving and passing down traditions, values, and practices. Grizzlypaws, who shared the stage with her young daughter, spoke about how mothers are the primary transmitters of cultural knowledge and practices. She underscored the deep significance of women in sustaining community identity.
This emphasis on the matriarchal structure of Indigenous cultures was reflected throughout the festival. Many songs and dances were dedicated to loved ones, often honoring mothers and grandmothers as sources of strength and wisdom. Grizzlypaws emphasized, “Our communities are built on the backs of women, the salmon, and the grizzlies.” This comparison acknowledged women’s strength and resilience alongside the natural world – essential, foundational, and deserving of respect. Many performances carried a palpable sense of feminine energy; a quiet yet powerful force that was deeply connected to community and reverence for the earth.
A shared thread between both nights was a deep connection to the natural world. The steady rhythm of the drum, echoing our beating hearts, felt grounding; as if the music itself mirrored the earth’s presence. This connection to nature is something colonial culture often disregards. Colonial practices do not coincide with respect for the environment, given its focus on resource extraction and profit. Indigenous peoples, however, have consistently honoured and valued this relationship.
With the climate crisis and the urgent need to rethink our relationship with the earth, Indigenous knowledge and perspectives are vital. Western science often relies on equations and data to understand environmental patterns, yet Indigenous peoples have long maintained an intuitive, respectful understanding of the land. This was continuously reflected in their cultural practices throughout the evening.
The Dancers of Damelahamid. Photo: Chris Randle
The final performance by the Dancers of Damelahamid featured a transformation mask that was representative of five generations of women from a single family. This piece was deeply moving, emphasizing the enduring strength and wisdom passed down through the matrilineal transfer of knowledge. The mask itself was a striking visual representation of legacy. The mask’s symbolism tied into the evening’s recurring themes of family, community, and respect for ancestral knowledge. It was a beautiful tribute to the role of women as caretakers of tradition and as essential figures in the fabric of Indigenous culture.
No matter where you look, music is used as a means of connecting those in the community; that is the common thread. One could particularly appreciate the differences between colonial song and dance and the artistic practices of Indigenous communities. Colonial song and dance often emphasizes control; whether that is the technical precision of a ballerina or the structure of a symphony.
In contrast, Indigenous song and dance seem to let the music take control. The performers act as vessels for the voice of the earth, with each beat of the drum amplifying her song. The dance has a free-flowing quality that is often constrained in colonial song and dance. Freedom and colonization do not go hand in hand and it is interesting how this is reflected even in cultural and artistic practices.
For more information about the festival, visit https://damelahamid.ca/coastal-dance-festival/
