ODD Statement of Support for Indigenous Peoples

Ottawa Dance Directive stands together with Indigenous peoples and our hearts are filled with sadness and compassion for the grieving families and communities of the children whose remains were found in unmarked burial sites near former residential schools.  As settler allies, we commit to listening, learning, and adapting to better support reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.  It is vital that we create new pathways for healing.

Today is the second offering of poems by a man from jambican.  We welcome you to take some time to read these insightful companion poems.  He has been a musical collaborator and generous human to many artists in Ottawa.

Today we demand #FairnessForArtsON by asking our government to:

1. Reopen rehearsals in Step 1 so we can be ready to begin performances in Step 2
2. Allow filming inside performance spaces in Step 1 so theatres can deliver content digitally.
3. Set capacity limits for outdoor and indoor theatres based on square footage so we can maximize safe audience access in different sized venues.

On this glorious sun filled day, ODD would like to give space to a man from jambican and his poetry. He has been a musical collaborator, insightful poet, and generous human to many artists in Ottawa. We invite you to take a few moments to read the first in a new series of poems.

Virtual Residency with Korean choreographer Esl Kim

Livestream

TAKE MY HAND

Compagnie ODD / Livestream on YouTube / June 25, 2 pm

Myrielle Bernier-Acuna, Amanda Bon, Yvonne Coutts, Charles-Alexis Desgagnés, Jacqueline Ethier, Alya Graham, Sarah Hopkin, Mary Catherine Jack, Kay Kenney, Etienne Lambert, Jessie Lhôte, Lana Morton, Gabrielle Rousseau, Jocelyn Todd, Robin Treleaven.

Black Lives Matter

Ottawa Dance Directive stands in solidarity with all those working for justice and protesting against racism, intolerance and other forms of oppression. It is imperative that we forge new pathways for discussion with open and compassionate hearts and minds so that change is finally realized. ODD is committed to having these discussions and creating space for the important work ahead. Diversity of expression is vital in the arts and in every sector of society and with it brings the greatest potential for our joint humanity.

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
Barack Obama

For the safety of our artists, patrons, staff, students, teachers and our local community, which may be particularly affected by the evolving COVID-19 situation, OTTAWA DANCE DIRECTIVE’s events and programming activities are all postponed until further notice.

We are grateful to the health workers and essential staff who are saving lives and protecting all of us.  ODD’s board and artistic staff stand with all of the artists, technicians, designers, and collaborators who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Stay strong and well.

We feel it is our responsibility with the City of Ottawa to take care of our community, which includes many vulnerable populations, and this decision will allow us to continue to act calmly and communicate clearly with all individuals who use our facility.

ODD Staff and Management
Yvonne Coutts, Lana Morton, Sylvie Desrosiers, Kateri Khoury, Susan Sinclair, Mary Catherine Jack, Amy Siu, and Moira Johnson

Ottawa Dance Directive acknowledges that its studios are located on traditional, unceded territories of the Algonquin nation, as the traditional custodians of the land. We respect the land as the territory of the First Peoples.  We are humbled to work in their community, and on their territory.