On April 9 and 10, we held talking circles and workshops on Dancing bodies, memories and identities: inventing decolonial practices at the MAI I Montréal, arts interculturels. What a wonderful event it was! A space for sharing, exploration and reflection… it was moving and inspiring and marked by remarkable sensitivity and collective intelligence.
It was an incredible experience that exceeded our expectations in many ways: the depth of discussions, the big turnout and the new faces at Espace Perreault. Participants were as delighted as we were.
Special thanks to Marie-Andrée Gill, a multidisciplinary artist from the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation, who co-facilitated the talking circles: her calm, sensitive and open presence helped ground everyone’s words.
Thanks to Elder Ka’nahsohon Kevin Deer who so generously opened and closed the event.
Thanks to our guest artists and researchers for sharing inspiring reflections: Julie Burelle, Mara Dupas, Pierrot Ross-Tremblay, Yvon Soglo alias Crazy Smooth and Angélique Willkie / Sonia Bustos, Shérane Figaro and Soleil Launière/ Rameez Karim, Sovann Rochon-Prom Tep, Angélique Willkie and Hodan Youssouf / Nicholas Bellefleur, Claudia Chan Tak, Sophie Corriveau, Camille Larivée and Corinne Skaff.
Thank you to the co-facilitators for your unwavering attentiveness: Ingrid Vallus, Alida Esmaïl, Élisabeth-Anne Dorléans, Chloé Saintesprit.
Thanks to Eduardo Ruiz, Catherine Dagenais-Savard and Sandrine Masse for your enriching workshops.
Thank you again to Catherine Dagenais-Savard and Sandrine Masse, who closed out the days with such a moving performance.
Thank you to the MAI I Montréal, arts interculturels for their warm welcome.
Finally, enormous thanks to all the wonderful participants who helped make this event a big success.
Thank you for everything!