We All Belong to the Ground
We All Belong to the Ground
2025
About
Work-in-progress performance
Heart of the City Festival
November 2, 2025
Goldcorp Centre for the Arts - SFU Woodwards
Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre
The Carnegie Dance Troupe acknowledges that our dancing takes place on the unceded Territory of the Coast Salish People; ʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh)
Since 2006 the principle supporting The Carnegie Dance Troupe is absolute inclusivity. Performances are created through a process of collaboration, seeking to connect us to our body, to our breath, to the energy of the earth, to each other and our interwoven communities.
This is a tender time for the Carnegie Dance Troupe as we lost our beloved members Dallas (Cowichan) and Deborah Charlie (Lillooet) this year. As we grieve, we are strengthened in the knowledge that Dallas and Deborah would want us to continue dancing together.
Some of the material we are working with this season is inspired by Deborah’s creative work in the months before she passed, artistically exploring themes of belonging, the support of the Earth, the collective ‘fire’ of the community, and the relational care of holding one another, sensing and being present with each other. Other new material is drawn from the Troupe’s choreographic development work during the spring session and the participants’ collaborative creation over the last 8 weeks.
A sense of gratitude, adventure and joy emerges from our practice of connection to our bodies and together as a group. We hope the witnessing of this process also transforms you in that way.
We are excited to share this brand new work-in-progress.
~
We remember and honour all the Carnegie Dance Troupe members who have passed:
Ricky Lavallie (Cree), Sarah Good (Snunneymuxw), Peter Siah III (Lillooet Fort Douglas), Roger Howie, Dean Obrol, Joan Morelli, Robyn Livingstone, Dallas (Cowichan), Deborah Charlie (Lillooet)
The People
Workshop and Choreographic Facilitator: Rianne Svelnis
Choreography Developed Collaboratively: Rianne Svelnis, Deborah Charlie, and the Carnegie Dance Troupe
Music Director: Mike Richter
Musicians: Mike Richter, Chong, Su Chol, Cindy Fedora, David Murphy, José Padua
Performers, Contributors, and Workshop Participants
Angel
Arlene Bowman (Dene)
Henry Wong
James Witwicki
Janice Laurence
Kadi Purru
Lance Lim
Martin Wong
May Sue
Richard Tylman
Sheena Han
Swallow Zhou
Allan Williams (Kingcome Inlet)
Lorelei Hawkins (Ani'-Yun-]iya / Secwépemc / Syilx; Sang ashore to - Sԥlilwԥtaɬ; Skwxwú7mesh LixumixW; Cherokee/ Shuswap/ Okanagan)
Artistic Director & Founder of Karen Jamieson Dance: Karen Jamieson
The Carnegie Dance Troupe is part of Karen Jamieson Dance and grew out of KJD’s Dance in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside Program (est. 2006)
Paddle carved and painted by: Ron Laprise (Dene Nation, Saskatchewan)
Paddle gifted to Karen Jamieson by: Dallas
Cedar Headbands: created by a friend of Deborah Charlie, commissioned by Deborah Charlie with support from Karen Jamieson Dance
Fire created for Deborah by: Heather Blais
Photo & Video: Chris Randle
Production Assistant: Charlotte Leonard
Project Management & KJD Managing Director: Pamela Tagle
Partners: Carnegie Community Centre and Simon Fraser University
Funders: Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, Province of BC, City of Vancouver,
and KJD Donors
Thank You! Heart of the City Festival
Thank You! Karen Jamieson Dance Society Board Members
