MEDIA RELEASE: 1812 LEGACY COUNCIL TO HOST FIRST NATIONS PERFORMANCE AT OLD FORT NIAGARA Jun. 28-29

YOUNGSTOWN, N.Y. (June 11, 2014) Watch history come to life with the site-specific multi-disciplinary performance that honours First Nations warriors of the War of 1812, featuring Onkwehonwe families who sacrificed to protect Haudenosaunee sovereignty, culture and land. This is a unique, modern form of story-telling from the perspective of First Nations people.

Two FREE performances, sponsored by the Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council, will take place at dusk on Saturday, June 28th and Sunday, June 29th inside  the walls of Old Fort Niagara. Rain location will be at First Presbyterian Church – 100 Church Street, Youngstown, N.Y. (Northeast corner of Main and Church streets, four-blocks South of Fort Niagara’s southern park entrance.)

The World Premiere of The Honouring was held at Fort York in Toronto June 20-23, 2013, with great reviews. Last year the Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council and Niagara Parks Commission hosted the Honouring at Old Fort Erie with the highest attended shows at over 500 people per night, on June 29th and 30th.

Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (KDT) is one of Canada’s leading contemporary dance companies. Exploring the intersection of Indigenous and new dance performance it is internationally renowned for artistry, creative excellence and collaboration. KDT’s embodiment of spirituality within traditional culture and innovative storytelling is conveyed through cinematic imagery and virtuosic performance that electrifies audiences on the world stage. Founded by Onkwehonwe Artistic Director and Choreographer Santee Smith (Kahnyen’kehàka – Mohawk Nation). Innovative, transformative and culturally power-packed performances distinguish Santee as one of Canada’s most exciting choreographers. Kaha:wi (Ga-HA-Wee) means “to carry” in the Mohawk language and is a traditional name for Smith’s family.

Doors open at 8:00 p.m. with the performance starting at approximately 9:00 p.m. or dusk, inside Old Fort Niagara. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets (no seating provided). For more information on these performances, email events@discover1812.com or check OFN’s website for rain updates: www.oldfortniagara.org

The Legacy Council wishes to acknowledge the support of the Niagara River Greenway through Niagara County and the Host Community Standing Committee.

The Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council is a bi-national not-for-profit organization established to commemorate the War of 1812 and celebrate the 200 years of peace between Canada and the United States.