Nestaweya means “three points” in Cree. Locally, it represents The Forks and the great rivers that brought the Cree, Ojibwe and Lakota peoples together.
Curated by Andrew Balfour and Mel Braun and conducted by Braun, Dead of Winter celebrates water, women as water-keepers and the pre-settler roots of Winnipeg with a concert featuring the poetry of katherena vermette (Winnipeg-based Metis poet, acclaimed novelist and activist), set to music by Indigenous composers Melody McKiver, Ian Cusson and Andrew Balfour. The audience is in for a special experience with readings by vermette, teachings/songs by Indigenous Song-keepers Laura Horton, Taylor Galvin, and Ellen Cook and ceremony with voice, crystal bowls and percussion.
Dead of Winter is proud that Nestaweya will be the first choral concert at the new Desautels Concert Hall, Sunday, October 20 at 3 PM at the University of Manitoba. Lots of free parking available!
Special thank you to concert sponsors Winnipeg 150, City of Song
Buy your tickets HERE!
About katherena vermette
Born in Winnipeg, her Michif roots on her paternal side run deep in St. Boniface, St. Norbert and beyond. Her maternal side is Mennonite from the Altona and Rosenfeld area (Treaty 1).
In 2013, her first book, North End Love Songs (Muses’ Company) won the Governor General’s Literary Award for Poetry. Since then, her work has garnered awards and critical accolades across genres. Her novels The Break (House of Anansi) and The Strangers and The Circle (Hamish Hamilton) were all national best sellers and won multiple literary awards.
Her fourth novel, real ones (Hamish Hamilton) was released Sep 2024.
Vermette’s work for children and young adults includes the picture book, The Girl and The Wolf (Theytus) and graphic novel series, A Girl Called Echo (Highwater).
She holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia, and an honourary Doctor of Letters from the University of Manitoba.
katherena lives with her kids – fur and human – in a cranky old house within skipping distance of the temperamental Red River.
An excerpt from ziibiwan (like a river) by katherena vermette
1.
she is
born atop
a long lake
called Traverse
rises between
two territories
Dakota
Anishnaabe
she is
both
and neither
her modest beginnings
in the south
more like a creek
gentle but
she pushes
ever north
she is
border
road
source
saviour
she is
river
like
and not
An excerpt from river woman by katherena vermette
this river is a woman
she is bright
and she is beautiful
she once carried
every nation here
but she is
one of those women
too soon forgotten
broken like a body
that begs without words
only rough hands
that reach out
palms up
About Taylor Galvin
Taylor is a proud member of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in Treaty 1 Territory. Taylor is an award-winning Environmental Studies graduate, water protector, land guardian, land-based educator, and Mother Earth advocate. She is pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Manitoba, examining the importance of Indigenous storytelling and oral traditions in the protection of Lake Sturgeon. Outside of school, Taylor is the Director for the Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve, graduate rep for The Wildlife Society-MB Chapter, and knowledge keeper on the Indigenous Advisory Circle for the Manitoba Museum.
About Laura Horton
Laura Horton, Giniwikwe, Tulita Dene Anishinaabekwe, is a community member of Manidoo Bawatigoong, Rainy River First Nation, ON. She was born and raised in Treaty 3. She is a life time educator, gr 1-university, Midekwe, Water Walker and advocate and medicine harvester. She is a mom, Kokum and Aanikoobijigan. She is also a quilter, beader, storyteller, hand drum singer and creative worker. Her life is full serving Anishinaabeg and allies.
About Ellen Cook
Ellen Cook was born and raised at Grand Rapids. In her 18th year, Manitoba Hydro dammed the Rapids and a way of life was lost. Gone were the singing waters that lulled generations of children to sleep, gone was the river which was her people’s source for fishing, hunting, and gathering of medicines. Ellen went on to become a school teacher, inspiring thousands of children with her wisdom and languages. A language keeper, she speaks at least six languages, and now advocates for her people in their ongoing struggle with Manitoba Hydro. To quote Ellen, “when you turn on the lights at your home tonight, don’t thank Manitoba Hydro. Rather think of a people whose way of life was irreparably lost”.
The Desautels Concert Hall is a state-of-the art, intimate performance venue in the heart of the Fort Garry campus. With its stunning architecture, superior acoustics, optimal sightlines and a configurable stage for a variety of performances, it is the University of Manitoba’s showpiece venue.
Parking
Nestled next to the historic Tache Hall, the Desautels Concert Hall’s entrance is on Maclean Crescent. The entrance is marked with the iconic Forever Bicycles sculpture by celebrated Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei. There is ample free parking for events after 4:30 PM and on weekends, just a short stroll from the venue.