THEY CARRY US
About/Overview
"They Carry Us” is a dance theater piece intended for family and young audiences. This work is deeply rooted in Blackfoot cosmologies, ways of knowing, and the essence dualities of two spirit people. Forgotten knowledge around how two-spirit people carried the survival of the Blackfoot people through ceremony and physical protection are unearthed. We are working closely with Blackfoot elders and Knowledge Keepers as we learn and develop this work in a culturally ethical space.
Important Dates
Workshop Showing: June 2026 Confirmed in Calgary. Venue/Date TBA
Premiere Date: May 1st, 2027 with Surrey Civic Theaters
Links
Video Rehearsal Footage May 2025
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g6rQadW1wFvvJ4w1COwh4_dKsnFCbPmF/view?usp=sharing
Video off FTA Pitch Rehearsal Footage 2 June 2025
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HKnktNXpJ__UE_pKgmn8yeNYslz1Cd29/view?usp=sharing
Video off FTA Pitch Rehearsal Footage 1 June 2025
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z5Q0b6K2a5wARwnfYVg7UXIt3vjilSpR/view?usp=sharing
Basic Information
Who is on tour?
4 dancers
1 tour manager
1 set technician
Sound/Music
Jessica Sparvier-Wells is the Sound Designer and composer.
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Sonny Ray Day Rider (Kainai/Blackfoot) will be composing sections of the piece,
Set Needs/Costume
The set is currently in development with Even Gilchrist
https://www.evengilchristdesign.com/
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We will be hiring a costume designer.
Elders/Knowledge Keepers
We are working with Dr Shawn Singer (Kainai) and our elders Rod Scout and Cindy Daniels as we continue to create this piece.
Tech Needs
We will be working with projections, bitmap LED hoops, and light. With additional grant money we are hoping to expand into projection mapping.
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We will require a scrim and access to a grid for hanging hoops
Dance Styles
This work is a contemporary dance piece that is informed by traditional dance practices. Contemporary Hoop Dance and rotoscope hand drawn animation is also included.
Ongoing Updates
October 20th, 2025
We have started our in-studio rehearsals at the community center in Exshaw. We are also in chats with Contemporary Calgary to use their theater for the community showing in April 2026. Once we have a date, invitations will go out. The choreography creation is going well and we are looking forward to early 2026 when we will be doing a call-out for dancers.
January 9th, 2026
We entered into the studio for the first time. Virginia has made a full recovery of health and ongoing consultation is going on with knowledge keepers and elders. Recently we learned that Two-spirit people are most powerful because the Sun and Moon both love them. We have rehearsals twice a week and will be hiring dancers in April 2026 for the June WIP showing.
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We are anticipating that the choreography will be finalized by April 1st along with the musical compositions by Sonny Ray Day Rider. We are reaching out to an additional composer for the animation portions.
Past choreography by Jessica McMann for context
Contact
Like what you see? Get in touch to learn more.
