Raven Mother

Tuesday, November 26 • 7:30 PM
The Historic Market Hall

Raven Mother is the Dancers of Damelahamid’s latest and most ambitious dance work, a heartfelt tribute to the late Elder Margaret Harris (1931 – 2020). This performance doesn’t just dance—it soars, illustrating the incredible legacy Elder Harris left behind in reviving Indigenous dance along the Northwest Coast and highlighting the vital role women play in preserving cultural knowledge. It’s a celebration of the powerful mothers who laid the foundation for these art forms and shaped the next generation of women to carry the torch.

Raven Mother is where movement, song, regalia, sculpture, and design all come together in one seamless story. The Raven crest, a symbol of transformation, strength, and renewal, takes center stage, embodying the spirit of cultural resurgence and the promise of a vibrant future for the children of generations to come. This production speaks directly to the world we live in today, drawing from a rich lineage of teachings to create something that ensures cultural endurance and sustains the connection between generations.

Late Elder Margaret Harris was a highly respected Cree Elder from Northern Manitoba who spent much of her life on the Northwest Coast of BC with her husband, Chief Kenneth Harris (1928-2010). Under the guidance of Gitxsan Matriarch Irene Harris (1888-1972), she devoted herself to revitalizing and teaching Indigenous cultural practices—everything from song and dance to storytelling and regalia making. Together, Elder Margaret Harris and Chief Harris founded the Dancers of Damelahamid in 1967, planting the seeds of a cultural revival that continues to blossom today. Raven Mother is a living testament to her spirit, marking a generational shift and empowering our daughters to carry forward their grandmother’s vision with renewed strength and purpose.