"Her choreography is bold, earthy, sensual and exciting..."
-Martin Morrow (Calgary), FFWD

"To see them reveals a fascinating study through gesture, athleticism and art of one culture's view of the mysteries of life."
-James Wegg, (www.jamesweggreview.org)

“Ravishing mix of styles and spirits. Her ambitious, full-length Kaha:wi was awarded a standing ovation by an enthusiastic audience, while focusing on a dance artist who can mount classy productions with substance. Smith, a member of the Mohawk Nation, is multitalented. The good-looking cast is a mix of aboriginal and non-aboriginal dancers, and the intermingling of training styles provides an interesting dynamic, with the modern dance smoothing out the Earth-rooted native movements to form a lyrical hybrid with echoes of both. Smith’s choreography is a perfect fusion. There are the stamping, rhythmic feet, low-body crouches, spiral turns and arched, angel-winged arms of her Iroquois heritage. And there are also the graceful upper body work, deep contractions, split jumps and partner lifts of her modern-dance training. Her depiction of pregnancy and birth, for example, is very dramatic, as is her erotic partnering for her lovers. The group tribal dances are down-right thrilling. In short, Kaha:wi succeeds because it walks the fine line between a genuine spiritual experience that is also ravishing in its visual components.”
-Paula Citron, GLOBE AND MAIL

“Breathtaking.” “Amazing.” “Empowering.” These are all words to describe the world premiere of Santee Smith’s production of Kaha:wi at the Premiere Dance Theatre on last week at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. Kaha:wi is the story of humanity regardless of culture. It is a story to which we all can relate. It’s the story of life.
-L.M. VanEvery, for the EXPOSITOR/TORONTO

“It’s both original and aboriginal.”
-Janice Mawhinney, TORONTO STAR

“The Iroquoian Nation has produced an extraordinarily fine dancer and choreographer in the person of Santee Smith who continues the heritage and tradition of Iroquoian celebrations of life. The force and energy of Santee’s celebration reaches out into the audience to quicken the heartbeat. In Santee’s skillful hands, the Creator’s gift of song and dance to the Onkwehonwe people explodes onto the stage in joyful celebration. Waves of energy sweep across the floor carrying sinuous, supple bodies that sway to the rhythms of life. Powerful music echoes the traditional drumbeat that springs from the living heart of the people. When the primal beat gives way in consciousness to the spectacle of sculpturally arranged bodies, Santee brings it back with the rhythmic slap of feet hitting the stage floor. Santee’s Kaha:wi is a truly extraordinary celebration of heritage.”
-Bob Phillips, TANSI Arts Writer

“Santee carries career to new heights with awe-inspiring Kaha:wi. Smith’s maturity as an artist was evident. She did not have to be in every scene. In fact, with the fluid changes in scenes and the mastery of the music, she has only enhanced her reputation as one of Canada’s top choreographers and dancers.”
-Dennis Stark, TANSI Editor/Toronto’s Aboriginal Newspaper

Choreographer's Description- Kaha:wi

The production of Kaha:wi is a profound new work that bridges the gap between contemporary and traditional Iroquoian song and dance in a fusion way without losing the integrity of the cultural content and aesthetics.  Kaha:wi showcases the talents of many First Nations singers, songwriters and musicians who have collaborated on the music creation and cast of dancers who offer their spirits to the project. The hour long production of Kaha:wi includes contemporary aboriginal dance/music performance with a cast of 9 professional dancers, lighting design by Ron Snippe and costume/set design by Cheryl Lalonde. The music is pre-recorded to CD format.

As a Haudenosaunee person I believe that song and dance were gifts given to us by the Creator, to celebrate our lives on Mother Earth. It is what we do, it is what we know, since first we heard our mother's heartbeat and her muffled voice, and moved along with the sway of her hips. Song and dance together are the ultimate expressions of who we are, it identifies and defines us, it links us to each other and to the Creator.  Kaha:wi is a dance/music performance that is reflective of traditional and spiritual beliefs which honour the connection to the natural world and the cycle of Life.

Kaha:wi translates to She Carries and is a traditional Mohawk family name that has been passed on over generations.  Kaha:wi was the name of my grandmother, Rita Vyse. At the time of her death the name Kaha:wi was passed on through ceremony to my daughter, Semiah Kaha:wi Smith. Haudenosaunee people recycle family names following maternal blood lines to honour the continuous cycle of Life and women who are inextricably linked to the womb of creation. 

Music, choreography and production design for Kaha:wi explores archetypal symbols of Iroquoian culture: the circle symbol, Woodland floral designs, images of duality and balance. The project reflects cultural concepts of Thanksgiving, sacredness of the natural world and rite ceremonies, such as the naming ceremony. The movement language for the dance incorporates traditional social dance steps: Stomp Dance, Women's Shuffle Dance, and Stick Dance. In the Women's Shuffle dance women move their feet in a way that represents the massaging of Mother Earth while keeping their upper body swaying to the music. All songs are created in an Iroquois language and are linguistically meaningful to each scene.  

There are many people who have passed on culturally specific knowledge that was pertinent to the development of the narrative and creation of Kaha:wi .  Kaha:wi is powerful because of the cultural weight it carries being deeply connected to the richness, integrity and beauty of the Iroquoian people. The most gratifying reward will be the sharing of my culture with others.

Santee Smith presents Here On Earth
at the

3rd National Aboriginal Dance Symposium "In the Spirit of Dance"
October 13-15, 2009 in Victoria, B.C.

The event will bring together Aboriginal artists and presenters working in both traditional and contemporary forms, from across the country to celebrate the richness and diversity of Aboriginal dance performance and culture.

The symposium will provide professional development opportunities for established and emerging Aboriginal performing artists, artistic producers, cultural presenters, cultural arts workers, community organizations and youth. Workshop facilitator Santee Smith will present workshop, "Body Awareness & Creative Movement".

The evening performances will feature the diversity of Canada's top Aboriginal performing artists. This event is supported by Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of British Columbia.

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Sunday, August 21, 2008

Major Update!
New Web site layout, new production information, updated biography and CV, more reviews, and more photographs.

Here On Earth:
Here On Earth will premiere in full length production at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, Toronto, Ontario on October 6,7, and 8 2008 at 8:00 pm.

" Smith's evening-length celebration of Mother Earth, finds emotional resonance in its evocation of traditional Iroquois cultural symbols..."
-Lisa Traiger, WASHINGTON POST