Discover Dance, Digging Deeper: Nimkii Osawamick

Associate Artist, Sukruti Tirupattur, has written about her experience of the June 2022 edition of Discover Dance, with special guest Nimkii Osawamick

Sukruti’s experience

“Aaniin” 

Nimkii’s absolutely powerful voice through Pow Wow music hit me like a breeze and jolted me up in my seat. His presentation helped me reconnect with the idea that singing and dancing is medicine for the soul, is a prayer. Nimkii offers healing, honors his elders, ancestors and acknowledges the younger generations in his work. He reminds us of the value of connection.  

Nimkii has the precious gift of holding his audience gently with care. In his presentation, he introduced us to the drum that accompanies his music and dance as- The heartbeat of Mother Earth. Through his ‘Wheel of Life’, a storytelling hoop dance, Nimkii brought to us the ideas of balance, energy, interconnection, continuity and respect - to the insect, animal and plant nations as we all inhabit Mother Earth together.  

Nimkii reminds us that life is delicate and life is precious. We are here to fulfill our purpose, and this to him is through his music and dance.  

“Nimkii reminds us that life is delicate and life is precious.”

“Nimki shared his work with us in between National Indigenous People’s Day and Canada Day.  Host Travis Knights asked Nimki how he felt about these”days”, the response was honest and hard hitting reminding us that designating a day is only a gesture unless actions are taken; and that for an Indigenous person celebrating the construct of Canada is complicated and can be painful.  Nimki’s dancing powerfully evoked the heartbeat of Mother Earth with each step.” 

Nova Bhattacharya 

“I was incredibly moved by Nimki’s calm demeanor in speaking about himself, his art, and the struggle of his people.  He gave us a glimpse into his history as a young boy to the father and artist he is today.  I appreciated how he answered tough questions with honesty and humility, and gave us ideas around action towards reconciliation.  The hoop dance class allowed me to appreciate the complexity and beauty of storytelling through this practice.  I had long conversations that night with my family around residential schools, and Canada’s dark history, as well as how to take pride in our country through actions of reconciliation and advocating for Indigenous communities.” 

Neena Jayarajan