Utawtiwow Kijinaq - Our Mother's Road
Commissioned and premiered by Mocean Dance (2022)
Choreography: Sara Coffin and Sarah Prosper
2 dancers | 19 minutes
Co-Choreographed by Mocean Co-Artistic Director Sara Coffin, and Eskasoni First Nation dance artist Sarah Prosper, this cross-cultural and cross-generational duet dives into the spiritual and emotional qualities of water. Exploring the history of water within a timeline of life, death, and patterns, the work is inspired by the life-giving sacredness of the 4 waters; rain, fresh, body, and sea waters. Interconnecting with themes of motherhood, water is our honoured protector guiding us down the flowing paths of Our Mother's Road - Utawtiwow Kijinaq - in a journey that takes us back from filtration to balance.
Premiere
Fluid Forms, Mocean's 20th Anniversary Mainstage
Performers
Sara Coffin and Sarah Prosper
Rehearsal Support
Gillian Seaward-Boone and Alexis Milligan
Sound Design
Brian Riley with Sarah Prosper, with excerpts from Apukuna (Breath Medicine 002), Ulali (Mother), Garth Stevenson (Earth), Beautiful Chorus (Faith’s Hymn), the late honourable Sarah Denny of Eskasoni First Nation (Ego), and Aaron Prosper singing Sacred Ground by Michael R. Denny and Children’s Prayer Song by the Blacklodge Singers
Set Construction
Leesa Hamilton with Dakota Burpee
Lighting Design
Leigh Ann Vardy
Costume Design
Kate Mitchell
