Samantha Sutherland's Wildfire-Inspired Dance Premieres at Matriarchs Uprising Festival
VANCOUVER – In July 2023, a devastating wildfire swept through ʔaq̓am, a Ktunaxa Nation community near Cranbrook, British Columbia. The blaze forced evacuations, destroyed homes, and left the land scarred. While no lives were lost, the emotional and physical damage was profound. Among those who witnessed the aftermath firsthand was dancer Samantha Sutherland, who was visiting her hometown when the fire erupted.
From Trauma to Artistic Expression
That harrowing experience has now become the foundation for ʔa·kinq̓uku, a deeply personal solo work Sutherland will perform at this year's Matriarchs Uprising Festival. The title derives from the Ktunaxa word for fire, and the piece sees Sutherland embodying the wildfire itself through movement.
"The flow of the piece moves through the life cycle of a wildfire, from the first sparks how it grows into a raging fire, how it decays down, and then regrowth," Sutherland explained. "With that regrowth, they have regrown, and we are strong, and we’re able to regrow from the tragedy."
Structured Improvisation and Intentional Movement
The performance incorporates elements of improvisation, but Sutherland emphasizes that it is not random. Certain sections are open, guided by specific intentions rather than rigid choreography.
"There are sections that are improvised but with a very set trajectory and very set tasks," she noted. "I know what actions I need to go through and what intentions I want to share."
ʔa·kinq̓uku had its premiere in Vancouver in December 2024, developed through Raven Spirit Dance's choreographer mentorship program. Sutherland also performed it in Toronto at Native Earth Performing Arts' Weesageechak Begins to Dance festival.
Matriarchs Uprising Festival Details
The Matriarchs Uprising Festival, now in its eighth year, is an annual gathering that centers Indigenous women in dance. Founded by O.Dela Arts artistic director Olivia C. Davies, the festival showcases powerful works that blend cultural heritage with contemporary expression.
This year's festival runs from February 16 to 21 at multiple venues in Vancouver:
- Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St.
- Morrow, #204 910 Richards St.
- Online via the IndigiDance on Screen short film program
Sutherland's performance is scheduled for February 19 as part of a double bill alongside Sophie Dow and Beany John's carriers and keepers of the ancestral portals, a duet that weaves together Michif and Taino-Cree cultures through hoop dance, Métis jigging, and contemporary choreography.
A Festival of Indigenous Resilience
The festival opens on February 18 with the Western Canada premiere of Wahsipekuk: Au-delà des montagnes by Wolastoq/Quebecois artist Ivanie Aubin-Malo. Presented in partnership with PuSh Festival, this work is based on the oral traditions of the Wabanaki peoples.
Through ʔa·kinq̓uku, Sutherland not only processes her own experience but also highlights the resilience of communities affected by wildfires. Her performance serves as a testament to the power of art to transform trauma into a narrative of strength and renewal.
