An Indigenous Fall
For some, fall marks the end of a cycle, while for others, its inherent transition and colours are invigorating. Get set for a feast of colours in the Quartier des Spectacles where a series of projects, installations and works will help you discover or appreciate Indigenous cultures even more.
Until November 9, stroll along the Promenade des Artistes to enjoy YAWENDA’, an outdoor exhibition that looks back at four decades of Indigenous theater in Quebec. The exhibition features seven outdoor display cases highlighting the important stages of this retrospective—beginning with Ondinnok, the founding company whose name means “theatrical healing ritual” in the Wendat language—to showcase the boldness, diversity, and vitality of contemporary Indigenous creation. Explore the artists and the profound themes behind their creations, whose stories both remind us of the past and connect us to each other through their voices and languages as well as the realms they conjure up. While you’re there, take the time to appreciate the costumes from the ancient Guatemalan play Xajoj Tun Rabinal Achi (designated as UNESCO heritage since 2008), which will be on display at the NFB Space.
Discover the power of the land and its inhabitants with Woli kpotenom – Purification, a video projection by artist Mélanie O'Bomsawin presented as part of YAWENDA’. Let yourself be captivated by powerful images that explore the almost spiritual ties between a city and its people, as well as the need for regeneration. See how Montreal is presented as a living space in constant transformation, shaped by memory, presence, and hope in a process of purification.
Weci | Koninut is portmanteau word made up of the beginning of the Atikamekw word “wecipapicikan” and the end of the Wolastoqey word “puwyakoninut,” both of which mean “dreamcatcher.” It evokes the symbiosis between these two languages. Until October 22, see how dreamcatchers relate to the theme of the six Atikamekw seasons: pre-winter (pitcipipon), winter (pipon), pre-spring (sikon), spring (miroskamin), summer (nipin), and fall (takwakin), in an exhibition curated by artists Julie-Christina Picher and Dave Jenniss.
Do you enjoy classical music? On October 5, take your seat at the Maison symphonique for Indigenous Mosaic, the opening concert of the Orchestre Classique de Montréal’s 86th season. Innu soprano Elisabeth St-Gelais, Mohawk violinist Tara-Louise Montour, and Cree cellist Cris Derksen will perform works by Indigenous and non-Indigenous composers as part of National Truth and Reconciliation Week: Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony, accompanied by the visual projections of Oneida artist Alanah Jewell Morningstar; the Quebec premiere of Cris Derksen’s Spiderbeing, songs by Tomson Highway; and a violin concerto by Malcolm Forsyth, commissioned by Tara-Louise Montour.
Queen Anacaona was a Taíno chief on the island of Ayiti. Also a poet and composer, she helped shape Creole culture. On October 25, as part of Creole Month, Zantray presents an immersive musical theater experience featuring poems, songs, dances, and video projections, retracing the history of this important indigenous Caribbean figure.
Mark November 1st on your calendar, because Soleil Launière will perform the show from her first album Taueu at the Cinquième salle of Place des Arts. A collection of soul-roots songs spanning multiple languages (Innu, French, and English), the show will whisk you away on a deep and captivating journey as it weaves through the themes of identity, language, femininity, and matriarchy. Come and feel the Innu strength and vibe.
November 1st and 2nd, head to the Espace culturel Georges-Émile-Lapalme at Place des Arts for Micro ouvert autochtone, a major gathering showcasing both traditional and contemporary Indigenous cultures. For this fifth edition, Abenaki sociologist, filmmaker, documentary filmmaker, and screenwriter Kim O’Bomsawin will be the event’s curator. Stay tuned for the program!
On Thursday, November 13, head to the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) for a free screening of Nechako: It Will Be A Big River Again, a documentary tracing the story of two Indigenous Nations determined to preserve their heritage. Since the construction of the Kenney Dam, the Nechako River has never been the same. Nechako follows the Stellat’en and Saik’uz Nations as they embark on a historic legal battle against the Canadian government and Rio Tinto Alcan. Through intimate portraits and a deep connection to the river, the film offers a powerful reflection on justice, memory, and the restoration of a vital ecosystem.