Who You'll Meet at Weaving Wellness

We recently gave you a peek at the structure of Weaving Wellness, our upcoming conference presented in partnership with the Vancouver Park Board and the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. Now, we're excited to announce some of the artists and experts who will be joining us September 30-October 1 at the Roundhouse in Vancouver (unceded Coast Salish lands).

Kendra Fanconi is a theatre creator who works with the natural world, a playwright and director, and artistic director of Vancouver-based company, The Only Animal. Her recent projects include Year of the Typewriter (a year of walking on the mountain where she lives with a typewriter rigged as a backpack to try to translate the voice of wilderness), the development and direction of the world premiere of Bryony Lavery's climate play Slime, and the adaptation and direction of Paul Harding novel's Tinkers, staged in an old-growth forest. Kendra is recognized nationally as a theatrical innovator and has taught her unique creation style of design-based dramaturgy at University of British Columbia and Playwrights Theatre Centre. In the NAC’s National Conversation about Theatre and Climate, Kendra recently acted as an Inspirer. In all it does, The Only Animal works towards solutionary outcomes for the climate emergency.

Dawn Morrison is of Secwepemc ancestry and is Founder, Chair and Coordinator of the Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty. Over the last 10 years, she has worked on and for Indigenous food sovereignty, decolonizing research and relationships. Dawn is the founder and curator of the Wild Salmon Caravan, an arts and advocacy festival that takes place in communities following the wild salmons’ journey including Musqueam, Tsleil Waututh, Skwxwừ7mesh Ủxwumixw - Squamish (Vancouver) Stờ:lõ -Schwa:y (Chilliwack) St'at'imc – Xwisten/Bridge River, Lillooet Nlaka’pamux – Shulus/Lower Nicola Indian Band (Merritt) Secwepemc te Adams Lake, Neskonlith, Little Shuswap (Chase and Kamloops). The Wild Salmon Caravan is a manifestation of Indigenous food sovereignty. It affirms that inter-tribal relationships are the foundation of Indigenous fisheries and trade knowledge systems. Its deep purpose is to transform the darkness surrounding the industrial storm that is killing wild salmon.

Heather Lamoureux is a community organizer, producer, artist, facilitator and an uninvited guest living on the Coast Salish Territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsliel-Waututh nations. Her work stems from her relationship with the land. She is committed to her responsibility of imagining and working towards futures where leaders take care of rather than exploit the land. She is passionate about listening to community and directing her energy towards movements that can utilize her support. Heather is the founder and Artistic Director of Vines Art Festival, Engagement Director at Raven Spirit Dance and has worked for other performing arts organizations including the PuSh International Arts Festival and Dancing on the Edge. She is trained in Expressive Movement Therapy from Tamalpa Institute under instruction of Anna and Daria Halprin. Heather uses this practice with youth in foster care and runs various youth and senior programs. Heather performs in unexpected outdoor spaces with the collective Pressed Paradise, and has been mentored by many incredible women including Cease Wyss and Joyce Rosario.

Early bird registration for Weaving Wellness is available at Eventbrite until Friday, September 6, with discounted rates for students/seniors and BC Alliance members. Special hotel rates are available through our sponsor, Sandman Suites - Vancouver Davie, until September 5; see the Eventbrite for more information.

Please indicate upon registration any needs you may have around accessibility, dietary restrictions or child care. The BC Alliance is committed to making our programming accessible to everyone. If there are any barriers, including financial, that prevent you from registering, please reach out to us at conference@allianceforarts.com so we can direct you to a Pay What You Decide registration option.

In the days to come, we'll be sharing more information about the names and faces you can expect to meet at Weaving Wellness. Stay tuned!