Santee Smith
Tekaronhiáhkhwa
Artistic Director of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre; Chancellor McMaster University; Artist; Guest Speaker
Tekaronhiáhkhwa Santee Smith iónkia’ts, Kahnyen’kehàka. Wakeniáhton tánon Ohswé:ken nitewaké:nòn. Ka’nisténhsera í:ken tánon tekeninniáhkhwa. Tekhenonhwerá:tons Tsi nahò:ten ká:ien ne ohwentsia’kéhshin tánon karonhia’kéhson.
NeoIndigenA: Photo by Erik Zennstrom, Artist Santee Smith
“I was replicating and telling stories that were outside of my culture and that grew weary after a while. I wanted to be able to tell my stories.”
Santee Smith is an internationally recognized leader in the performing arts, a multidisciplinary artist and producer from the Kahnyen’kehàka (Mohawk) Nation, Turtle Clan from Ohswé:ken / Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario. She is one of Canada’s leading dance artists, and holds McMaster University degrees in Physical Education and Psychology along with a Master of Arts in Dance from York University.
Recovering from two broken legs, she completed six years of training at Canada’s National Ballet School, undertook theatre training and earned her degrees. She returned to dance in 1996 as a choreographer and dedicated six years to create and produce her first dance work, Kaha:wi, a family creation story. In 2005, she founded the Kaha:wi Dance Theatre with a vision to explore the intersection of Indigenous and new performance, international Indigenous collaborations and training. Through her research and creative practise, she is a strong voice for Indigenous dramaturgy, process and advocacy.
Santee Smith’s artistic work speaks about identity and Indigenous narratives. Her body of work includes 14 productions and numerous short works which tour nationally and internationally. Her commissions include choreography for the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company, North American Indigenous Games, among others.
Smith is a sought after teacher and speaker on the performing arts and Indigenous performance and culture, most recently at Stratford Festival. Her life and works have been the topic of TV series and films aired on CBC, NFB, APTN and PBS (US), and most recently on CBC Arts - The Move II.
Santee is the 19th Chancellor of McMaster University.
Awards:
2023 - Order of Canada - Member
2022 - Hamilton Arts Award - Creator Award
2020 - Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble for The Mush Hole, Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Toronto
2020 - Outstanding Direction for The Mush Hole, Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Toronto
2020 - Outstanding New Play for The Mush Hole, Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Toronto
2020 - Outstanding Production for The Mush Hole, Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Toronto
2019 - Joanna Metcalfe Performing Arts Award, The Metcalfe Foundation, TO, ON
2019 - Outstanding Achievement in the Performing Arts, Celebration of Nations, St. Catherines, ON
2019 - Outstanding Production for Blood Tides, Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Toronto
2019 - Outstanding Performance Ensemble in Dance for Blood Tides, Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Toronto
2017 - REVEAL Indigenous Arts Award, The Hnatyshyn Foundation
2015 - Eihwaedei Yerihwayente:ri (Community Scholar), Six Nations Polytechnic
2013 - Outstanding Choreography in the Dance for Susuriwka – willow bridge, Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Toronto
2008 - John Hobday Awards for Excellence in Arts Administration, Canada Council for the Arts
2006 - Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award for Dance, Canada Council for the Arts
2005 - Hamilton Music Award, for Kaha:wi album, Best Cultural and Ethnic Recording
2003 - H. M. Hunter Award for Dance, Ontario Arts Council
2003 - Chalmers Award for Dance, Ontario Arts Council