RSD Artist-in-Residence Jeanette Kotowich
Jeanette is a multi-disciplinary iskwêw, independent dance artist, creator, choreographer and professional Auntie of Nêhiyaw Métis and mixed settler ancestry. Originally from Treaty 4 territory Saskatchewan, she creates work that reflects Nêhiyaw/Métis cosmology within the context of contemporary dance, Indigenous performance, and Indigenous futurism. Fusing interdisciplinary collaboration, de-colonial practices and embodied research methodologies; Jeanette’s work references protocol, ritual, relationship to the natural/spirit world and Ancestral knowledge. Her practice is intergenerational and vocational; it’s a living and lived experience. Jeanette resides as a guest on the Ancestral and unceded Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) əl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ/ (Tsleil-Waututh) and Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) territories, colonially known as Vancouver
Jeanette shares Kwê at Matriarchs Uprising 2022
Kwê is derived from iskwêw (femme Spirit) and iskotêw (fire). It provides a fluid container to intentionally define and amplify iskwêwak sovereignty and dismantle dominant colonial and patriarchal narratives with vulnerability, courage and heart.We are bodies seeking sovereignty, imperfectly tethered to homelands near and far… Containers of complex histories, tears, and joy… We journey through liminal territories of vulnerability and strength. We embrace multiplicity and settle into the untamed knowing of our courageous hearts. Harnessing bravery, we weave our presence into vast futures.
February 18 – 19, 7PMLive in-person at The Dance CentreTickets: Free or by Donation
Q&A with Jeanette
The conceptual seed of Kwê was born from a moment of deep personal healing & transformation in my life. In the process of growing out of the old and into the new, I started to work with the themes of vulnerability, courage, and joy. I have been thinking a lot about sovereignty… sovereignty of land, food, our bodies, race, culture, gender, queerness, sexuality…. and sovereignty over our futures. What I came to realize is that sovereignty can not be given, it is ‘space’ you must take (and take back), and so I have been in a process of creative and personal assertion.
The word Kwê as I have framed it for this work refers to ‘Femme Spirit’. It is derived from the Nêhiyaw word Iskwêw (woman) and related to the word for fire and heart. 
Kwê has been a sounding board to amplify these curiosities. 
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Kwê was recently live-streamed which was done beautifully. How do you feel about having this piece presented to a live audience?
Kwê livestream was a powerful experience for me. We valued LIVE (real time) performance for the broadcast, which made the experience one of a kind. Just like any other live performance experience the moments are fleeting and the experience ephemeral. It’s magic! I feel nervous and excited to have a live physical audience witness. It is all about the experience, folx who witnessed the live stream can expect a different experience, but the essence will remain.
Can you describe your role in Kwê and how it all came together?
Oh my! Haha. Kwê started off as solo research during a residency at Young Lungs Dance Exchange, February 2021. I shared the early solo expression of Kwê for Erasga Dance & the Shadbolt Arts Centre. Since August 2021, I have opened up the process to include an ensemble of collaborative artists. I position myself as lead artist of this work, but the research has been a collaborative process working intimately with dance artists and improvisors Stéphanie Cyr, Olivia Shaffer & Tamar Tabori. I’m deeply grateful to each of these artist for their generosity & for being on this creative journey with me.
My roles have included producing, directing, marketing, admin, leading the team of designers & collaborators, and so much more – essentially creating the container for the research to take place.
Reflecting in this moment, I realize it has basically been a year long process from inception to now. And I have learnt so much along the way.
What’s next for you and Kwê?
I have been framing Kwê as research… so the research will live on, but I will be taking some time to integrate and futurize the next phases of development ie.) funding 
I believe Kwê has a future and will be back in fresh form in the months to come. 
I will be shifting my focus to Kisiskâwican, a solo work which was put on hold since the pandemic hit. This solo is scheduled to premiere in Vancouver (the Dance Centre) and Montreal (Tangente) this fall 2022. I also have plans to be in Winnipeg with ArtHolm and Young Lungs Dance Exchange spending developmental time with the prairie community. 
I am currently the inaugural artist in residence at Raven Spirit Dance. We will be premiering our group work Confluence at Dancing on the Edge & touring to the Yukon. Maybe get some sleep somewhere in there too!