Confluence: A Celebration Day for Water
You are invited to join us for reflection, consideration and celebration of water and take part in some or all of the events being offered. Through a confluence of voice, sound, film and dance, we will reflect on water, our relations and its importance to all life on earth.
Event Schedule
11:00-11:15 Openings and Land Acknowledgement
11:15-11:30 Voice Performance
11:30-11:45 Poetry for Water
11:45-12:15 Dance Reflection
13:15-13:45 Film Screening
14:00-14:45 Panel on Water
15:00-15:30 Closure
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11:00 - 11:15
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Openings and Land Acknowledgement
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11:15 - 11:30
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Voice Performance
‘A Confluence of Mother Tongues’: a vocal composition by performance artist Bisia Belina, is based on 150 multilingual translations for the word Water. A performance and interactive installation, in collaboration with International students from Pearson College, University of Victoria Continuing Studies Program and ICA English language students.
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11:30-11:45
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Poetry
Poetry and music. Water lover, researcher and advocate Serap Brown shares her love and care for water through poetry and invites audience to reflect on our connections with water.
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11:45-12:15
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Dance Reflection and guided somatic exploration
Starr Muranko, Artistic Associate with Raven Spirit Dance, will share an excerpt of a new dance work-in-progress titled Pêyâhtak (Cree word for s/he takes it easy, quietly, slowly, with care) and then will lead a guided somatic exploration for people to connect to their bodies, breath and the earth.
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12:15 - 1:15
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Lunch Break on your own
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1:15 - 1:45
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Victoria Film Premiere
I am River was recorded during July 2019 on a 1200 km long bicycling trip starting from Bow Glacier at the Rockies to Saskatchewan Delta, while listening to the river and people who care for rivers. Created by Serap Brown at Shaw Studios under Community Initiatives Program.
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1:45 - 2:00
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Break
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2:00 - 2:45
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Panel
A Confluence of Indigenous Perspectives in Honour of Water. Indigenous voices from Victoria, Vancouver, Saskatchewan and Peru will share their perspectives on Water. Panelists: Jhaimy Alvarez-Acosta, J,SIṈTEN John Elliott, Starr Muranko, Dr. Lorna Wanosts'a7 Williams. Moderator: Dr. Sasha Kovacs.
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3:00 - 3:30
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Closing
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Jhaimy Alvarez-Acosta is a Wisdomkeeper and holds wisdom teachings of Northern and Southwest regions of Peru. He is a regular featured guest speaker in events across Canada as part of the Andean Wisdom Teachings series through Children of the Seven Rays and is best known for his heart-centered and humble approach to healing and spirituality.
J,SIṈTEN John Elliott is from from “Salt Water People”, from W̱SÁNEĆ community. He is a respected Elder of the Tsartlip First Nation and has taught at ȽÁU,WELṈEW Tribal School in Saanich for over 30 years. Elliott is a teacher, co-founded FirstVoices web-based language learning tool, Chairman of the Saanich Native Heritage Society, serves on the Advisory Committee of the First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) and holds an honorary doctorate from Maharishi University of Management in Iowa for his work in language revitalization.
Starr Muranko Starr Muranko celebrates her mixed ancestry of Cree, Metis and German in all of her artistic work which has been presented both locally and nationally. She has also toured internationally to New Zealand, Peru and Ecuador as a member of the Dancers of Damelahamid. Starr and C7Rays Foundation have been organizing Water Walks in North Vancouver since 2013 in solidarity with the annual Water Walks in Ontario inspired by the teachings of Elder Grandmother Josephine Mandamin.
Dr. Lorna Wanosts'a7 Williams, of Lil’wat of the St’at’yem’c First Nation at Mount Currie, has devoted her life to promoting and restoring Indigenous culture and language. Dr. Williams, Professor Emerita from University of Victoria, and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge and Learning, has worked as an Indigenous educator and language specialist for more than 50 years in diverse settings.
