ARTISTKŌRERO

About the Artists

Santee Smith – Tekaronhiáhkhwa
Santee Smith is a multidisciplinary artist, award-winning producer and Managing Artistic Director of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre. She is from the Kahnyen’kehàka Nation, Turtle Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario, Canada. Her interest is activating creativity through performance conceived and devised from an Indigenous lens and process. 
Santee trained at Canada’s National Ballet School and completed Physical Education and Psychology degrees from McMaster University and a M.A. in Dance from York University. Santee self-produced her debut work Kaha:wi in 2004 and one year later founded Kaha:wi Dance Theatre which has grown into an internationally renowned company. Santee’s artistic work speaks about identity and Indigenous narratives including more than 13 full scale productions and more than 12 short works. Her independent commissions include collaborations with National Arts Centre Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company, North American Indigenous Games, Stratford Festival, National Film Board of Canada among others. Her life and works have been the topic of TV series and films including Kaha:wi – Cycle of Life. Santee is a sought after speaker on the performing arts, Indigenous performance and culture. She was appointed as the new Chancellor of McMaster University, ranked one of Canada’s leading educational institutions.

Jasmin Sheppard 
Jasmin is a contemporary dancer and choreographer, a Tagalak and Kurtjar Aboriginal woman with Irish, Chinese and Hungarian ancestry. Jasmin has spent 12 years dancing for Bangarra Dance Theatre, performing numerous senior artist roles including performing the title role in Bangarra's production of Patyegarang. She created one major choreographic work for the company, MACQ, on the 1816 Appin Massacres under Governor Macquarie. As an independent artist she created No Remittance For Legs on the Wall, Parachute Festival on Aboriginal Stolen Wages, and When Walawaru Soars with Sydney Symphony members; on connection to country and self. Her works are highly political and have been described as evocative and provoking. As a First Nations woman Jasmin uses art to speak for people who are denied a voice and to uncover an untold side of history.

Louise Potiki Bryant
Louise Potiki Bryant is a Ngāi Tahu choreographer, dancer, and video artist. With her artistic practice Louise aims to honour her whakapapa and relationship to the whenua. Her practice is also informed by kaupapa Māori (Māori principles and practices), mana wahine (the intrinsic spiritual power of women), and ātua Māori (Māori deities/ancestors). Louise is a founding member of Atamira Dance Company for whom she has choreographed six works, including Ngāi Tahu 32, Te Aroha me the mamae, and TAONGA: Dust Water Wind. Louise has also choreographed for companies including Black Grace Dance Company, The New Zealand Dance Company and Ōrotokare, Art, Story, Motion. Louise also has a body of solo and collaborative works which draw upon her whakaahua and interdisciplinary practices. She designs installations for her works, and is responsible for the design, production and editing of the projected video elements – an integral part of each performance. She has made seven dance films and several music videos for Māori singer/songwriters as well as designing video for many music, opera and dance productions including two of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s recent dance works; RE-QUICKENING and BLOOD TIDES. Louise has undertaken several residencies including the Harriet Friedlander Residency from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, an award which offered a period of choreographic and artistic inspiration in New York City.