Phase 3 of Research
We are excited to return for a third phase of research and creation for Re-membering Kmɨtkinu in May 2026, in collaboration with Kmɨtkinu Dance Theatre.
Re-membering Kmɨtkinu is a collaborative, multi-sensory, land-based dance performance being developed by Mocean Dance (Halifax) and Sarah Prosper, (Eskasoni First Nation). The team is working with a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous dance artists from across Mi’kma’ki to develop this new work towards a future premiere performance in Amnu’kati (Point Pleasant Park, Halifax), in Spring 2027, in partnership with Live Art Dance and Prismatic Arts Festival.
Re-membering Kmitkinu is a response to shalan joudry’s poem Kmitkinu, (Mi’kmaw word meaning “our homeland”). The poem traces Mi’kmaw history from pre- to post-colonization, calling for truth-seeking, solidarity, and collective healing, mirrored in the land’s own restoration. Centered on connection, it aims to strengthen relationships and build hope between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and the land.
The creative team for Re-membering Kmɨtkinu includes Sarah Prosper and Mocean Dance’s Co-Artistic Directors, Susanne Chui and Sara Coffin working with collaborating dance artists Jöel Azevedo, I'thandi Munro, and Sam Penner, and Natasha Barlow.
2026 Membertou First Nation Creative Residency
From May 6-10, 2026 the artists will be in Membertou First Nation engaging in cultural learning at Membertou Heritage Park, exploring ecological landscapes in the area, and connecting with community members. This time spent in Membertou will deepen the group’s understanding of this landscape's history and the breadth of emotions that the original poem brings out --from 13,000 years of pre-colonization to the devastating effects of colonization. It will also nourish the breadth and meaning for what working and healing together might look like.
Join us on Saturday, May 9th from 3:00-5:00 for a special workshop and sharing at the Membertou Heritage Centre.
Creative Timeline
Sarah Prosper and shalan joudry led collaborators in the first phase of choreographic research from April 2024. After a grounding retreat in partnership with the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, we spent two more weeks of rehearsal as company-in-residence at Halifax Dance, culminating in a work-in-progress showing at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Our research was supported in part by Arts Nova Scotia, as well as the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 who hosted shalan joudry as Artist-in-Residence in 2024, as she worked on various stages of the project.
Phase two took place in April 2025, which included working outdoors and visiting important Mi'kmaw sites, as the group continued to deepen the work and bring the research onto the land. For this upcoming phase three, the group will travel to Membertou First Nation to continue to develop the work in relation to community.
Upcoming phases include a two-week residency in September 2026 at Ross Creek Centre for the Arts followed by the premiere in May 2027. Stay tuned for date announcements!
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Artistic Statement from shalan joudry
The original poem moves through the eras of pre-colonization through colonization in Mi’kma’ki. The meditations on grief, truth-seeking, and communal healing are echoed in the landscape’s own healing. The poem was translated into other languages so that there are a total of thirteen - to fit on the back of a turtle. It was featured at Nocturne (Halifax) as an audio installation in the Halifax Public Gardens in October 2020, and will soon be published as a limited edition hand-pressed book.
I am honoured to be working with Mocean and Sarah Prosper on this. Collaborating with diverse choreographers and dancers, finding other modes of embodying the original intentions of this poem is timely. This project is an act of peace-building and healing in itself, for participants and hopefully for the audience as well.
For more info:
Listen to shalan's podcast featuring the 13 languages of the poem Kmɨtkinu.
Listen to shalan's conversation on CBC's Halifax Mainstreet talking about Kmɨtkinu and the Pier 21 residency.
Artistic Statement from Mocean Dance
As an artistic catalyst for professional dance in Mi'kma'ki / Nova Scotia, Mocean is deeply invested in supporting the creation of works that represent and celebrate the region’s richly pluralistic identity. Re-membering Kmɨtkinu, builds on an ongoing relationship with shalan joudry and Sarah Prosper, which has included creation, outreach, and mentorship projects over the past three years. Re-membering Kmɨtkinu is part of an intentional effort to support the growth of Indigenous-led dance artists in this region, as an action towards the critical work of reconciliation and decolonization. We are excited to work with shalan and Sarah to build healthy relationships and create robust, thought-provoking, and meaningful artistic work for the benefit of all in Mi’kma’ki.
Photo by Dan Froese featuring shalan joudry
About shalan joudry and Nestuita'si Storytelling
shalan joudry is a Mi’kmaw mother and narrative artist working in many mediums. She is a poet, playwright, podcast producer, storyteller and actor, as well as a cultural interpreter. Having worked as a professional oral storyteller for well over two decades, her first full-length play, Elapultiek, was commissioned and then produced by Two Planks and a Passion Theatre which toured in 2018 and 2019. shalan’s second book of poetry, Waking Ground (Gaspereau Press 2020) was short-listed for multiple literary awards. Her solo one-woman theatrical show, Koqm, debuted on the King’s Theatre Stage, Annapolis Royal, in 2021 then toured the province in 2022. shalan lives in her home territory of Kespukwitk (southwest Nova Scotia) with her family in their community of L’sitkuk (Bear River First Nation) where she is researching and working on reclaiming her L’nu language.
Nestuita’si Storytelling is led by shalan joudry, a small L’nu (Mi’kmaw) multi-disciplinary arts company focused on retelling cultural, ecological and personal stories that get to the heart of deeply human truths. From oral storytelling, podcasts, to full theatrical work, we are grounded in what it means to “re-member”. (Nestuita’si means “I recall/recollect” in the Mi’kmaw language.)
Photo by Sherri Poirier featuring Sarah Prosper
About Sarah Prosper
Wisunn na Sarah Prosper (she/they/nekmow), Mikmaw/L’nu e’pite’s of the Eskasoni Mi’kmaq First Nation. Amalkewinu (dancer) holds a BSc Therapeutic Recreation, is a MA in Leisure Studies student, and a proclaimed community artist of the Wabanaki East Coast. Her first work created as an artistic director and choreographer is the Merritt Award winning show SAMQWAN in 2021-2023 at Highland Arts, Neptune, Stratford Festival and 2023 Canada Games. Dancing with Mocean Dance, Kinetic Studios, House of Eights, Painted Dance Co, Nestuita'si, and community focused initiatives, Prosper's community work varies between wellness and healing focused methods specific to community needs, and shares a curated dance workshop “Moving in Mi’kma’ki.” Prosper collaborates, creates, and moves with ms+t no’kmaq, all her relations, in a fluid identity uplifting pursuit.
An award winner of the 2022 Nova Scotia Indigenous Artist Recognition Award, she performs and creates on National stages in collaboration with world renowned artists. Prosper's practice encompasses an Indigenous/Mi’kmaq lens that deepens the threads of respect and reciprocity to dance, movement, social sciences, social justice, mental health & the land. Her work intends to connect, rebuild, and unite.
