Matriarchs Uprising 2026 — Indigenous Women in Contemporary Dance

Matriarchs Uprising 2026 returns for its eighth annual festival, presented by O.Dela Arts in partnership with The Dance Centre. This powerful event celebrates contemporary dance created and performed by Indigenous women from across Canada and Australia, highlighting storytelling, resilience, cultural knowledge, and artistic innovation.

The festival blends performances, workshops, film screenings, and community gatherings, offering audiences meaningful opportunities to experience Indigenous-led movement practices and conversations.

Festival Dates & Venues

📅 February 16–21, 2026
📍 Primary Venue: The Dance Centre (various studios & theatres)

Events take place in spaces including the Faris Family Studio (Black Box Theatre), Birmingham Studio, Jarislowsky Studio, and Judith R. Marcuse Studio.

Performance Program Highlights

Wednesday, February 18 – 7 PM

Wahsipekuk: Au-delà des montagnes
Choreographed and performed by Ivanie Aubin-Malo, this work draws from Innu culture, land, and ancestral memory.

Thursday, February 19 – 7 PM (Double Bill)

carriers and keepers of the ancestral portals – Beany John & Sophie Dow
ʔa·kinq̓uku – Samantha Sutherland

Two works exploring intergenerational knowledge, spirit, and embodied storytelling.

Friday, February 20 – 4 PM

Remembering Our Return Home – Gathering Hope Collective
A residency sharing reflecting collective creation and cultural reconnection.

Friday, February 20 – 8 PM (Double Bill)

Out of Wounds – Sandra Lamouche
Ngambaa – Amelia Jean O’Leary

An evening of deeply personal and cultural narratives expressed through contemporary and Indigenous movement languages.

Saturday, February 21 – 5 PM

Where did you go? – Michelle Olson
An intimate studio showing examining memory, presence, and transformation.

Saturday, February 21 – 8 PM

Matriarchs – Olivia Adams
A culminating performance honouring strength, lineage, and the power of Indigenous matriarchal knowledge.

Saturday, February 21 – 9:30 PM

Closing Reception with Tsimka & Michael Red
A celebratory gathering to close the festival and honour participating artists.

Workshops, Screenings & Community Events

Beyond stage performances, the festival includes:

• Hoop Dance Workshops with Beany John and Sandra Lamouche
• Masterclasses with Olivia Adams and Ivanie Aubin-Malo
• Community movement workshops open to the public
• IndigiDance on Screen film screenings
• Talking Truths Circle Conversations & Feast
• Artist talks and international dialogue circles

Many events are free or low-cost, making the festival accessible to a broad community audience.

Why You Should Attend Matriarchs Uprising

• Experience contemporary dance led by Indigenous women artists
• Engage in workshops and conversations rooted in cultural knowledge
• Support Indigenous arts and community-led performance spaces
• Witness powerful storytelling through movement and ceremony

Matriarchs Uprising is more than a dance festival. It is a gathering space for culture, creativity, and connection, offering Vancouver audiences a rare opportunity to experience Indigenous performance practices in an intimate and meaningful setting.