By Sean Coombs
Expo Reporter
OSAKA, Japan — Indigenous artists from Canada are taking centre stage at the Osaka Expo.
As part of a showcase organized by the National Arts Centre (NAC), several prominent Indigenous artists and art groups have gathered at the Canada Pavilion to promote Indigenous rights and present their culture to Japanese audiences.
Some of the prominent artists include Jeremy Dutcher, Digging Roots, Sechile Sedare, and Elisapie, who all come from diverse Indigenous backgrounds from coast to coast to coast.
Jeremy Dutcher (left) is a classically trained tenor, Two-Spirit song carrier, polymuse, activist, ethnomusicologist, and member of Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) in Eastern Canada. Elisapie was born and raised in Salluit, a small village in Nunavik in the northernmost region of Quebec. (Photo © Canada Pavilion)
While Japan may be oceans away from the traditional territories of turtle island, the artists brought the spirit of their culture with them and showcased them in a grand performance on Aug. 5.
Presented by the Canada Pavilion in cooperation with World Expos and other pavilions, Confluence was a celebration of Indigenous song and dance that was held at the Expo’s Shining Hat venue. The gleaming performance space is the centre stage of Expo and has seating for 1,900.
Indigenous performers from across the world — from Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and The Republic of China — danced and sang for the large audience, which included diplomatic and Indigenous representatives from the countries that performed.
The theme of the event was water and the ocean, with animations of fish and waves shimmering across the walls of the arena in an artistic message about bringing Indigenous nations together.
Many of the Canadian Indigenous artists performing at the Canada Pavilion this week attended the event, with all the performers gathering on the stage at the end of the event in a show of Indigenous unity.
The host of the event was the NAC’s artistic director Kevin Loring, who hails from the Nlaka’pamux nation near Lytton, BC.
During a speech at the event, Loring commented on how the theme of water is deeply connected with the importance of water in Indigenous culture.
“Water in all its forms is life-giving, whether its rain, streams, rivers, or oceans,” he said. “Even ice has an important part to play in the balance of our planet. For the Inuit and other peoples who call the arctic circle home, the ice forms their vibrance.”
In closing his speech, Loring lauded how the theme of water brought together scenes of Indigenous unity.
“Our theme was not only a confluence of coming together as Indigenous peoples, but as water,” he said. “We all straddle the same waves as human beings, so let’s embrace one another and remember that we share what we shared here today. We are all water and because of that, we are all connected.”
The Canada pavilion’s Commissioner General Laurie Peters echoed Loring’s thoughts in her remarks, reflecting on how meaningful the performances were in the context of the Expo’s diplomatic purpose.
“This evening is especially meaningful as it unfolds within the context of the Expo theme week of peace, human security, and dignity,” she said. “These are not just aspirational ideals, they are urgent global priorities, and it’s through gatherings such as this that are rooted in cultural exchange and artistic expression that we begin to make those ideals tangible.”
Peters further affirmed that confluence was a key example of the Canada pavilion’s theme of regeneration put into action.
“Our theme of regeneration speaks of renewal. Renewal of relationships, understanding, and of the ways we engage with one another and the planet,” she said. “Tonight, we saw that spirit come to life.”
Event attendees like Yoshitaro Suzuki said that spirit was notable to them.
‘I really got emotional watching the dancing,” he said. “It was so powerful seeing them express themselves and offer us a vision of their unique culture. I especially felt that seeing the Canadian performances.”
