Ocêpihkowan: It Has Roots

Ocêpihkowan: It Has Roots

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Ocêpihkowan: It Has Roots

At a time where mental illness is plaguing our communities and we are losing our people to suicide, one Indigenous artist has found ways to root herself and grow through the pain. Mental illness, PTSD and suicide survivor Sissy Thiessen Kootenayoo turned to her community, culture and art to rise above her struggles. Through Ocêpihkowan, Sissy and co-producer Michelle Nieviadomy create a safe space for the life-saving practises of honesty, vulnerability and supporting one another. Utilizing the branches of art, expression, culture and teachings, Ocêpihkowan is a tree rooted in hope, light and life.

The themes explored in this project include: suicide and mental illness awareness, cultural connection, healthy expression, catharsis, and how art can transform our pain. Suitable for ages 14+.

Tuesday, March 11 @ 7:30pm* – 8:45pm
Wednesday, March 12 @ 7:30pm – 8:45pm (ASL Interpreted)

Both performances will be followed by an optional 25 minute panel discussion. Mental health panelists will be speaking about their experiences as Indigenous professionals living and working in community during the ever-growing mental health epidemic. 

*Join us for a catered reception for Opening Night on March 11 before the show at 6:45pm by Culina Catering

Walterdale Theatre
10322 83 Ave NW

    Tickets on sale now!
Adults $27.75, Students/Seniors $22.25 (plus applicable fees). 14 Tiered Pay-What-You-Can tickets are available per performance ($5, $10, $15, $20). Group discounts available for 6+. We are happy to offer a limited amount of complimentary tickets for Indigenous folks thanks to support from the Edmonton Heritage Council, FIRE and the City of Edmonton. Please claim your ticket using the “Free Tickets for Indigenous People” option.


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“My hope is to show audiences that we all have permission to share where we are at honestly and without judgement. Many of us are not okay in our mental health and through being able to share that, we get that much closer to healing, which I have found through singing, dancing, writing, sharing and having people believe in me – Like SkirtsAfire believes in this project. I know that once people of all ages are shown that we can do all these things, the mental illness and suicide epidemics will lessen day by day. All we need to do is look to the trees, and root ourselves to weather whichever storms come our way.”  – Sissy Thiessen Kootenayoo

Featuring:

Sissy Thiessen Kootenayoo
Curator, Performer, Co-Producer
Michelle Nieviadomy
Performer, Co-Producer

Artist Adopted by
Rebecca Schulte

Harold Roscher
Knowledge Keeper
Adrianne Beauregarde
Tree Prop Installation Artist and Assistant

ASL Interpreted Performance by Crystal Wolfe, Jenni Stevens & Gail Benin


This event is supported by the City of  Edmonton, Edmonton Heritage Council, and FIRE
Venue Sponsored by
Special Thanks to
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Dates

Tuesday, March 11th @ 7:30 - 8:45 PM
Wednesday, March 12th @ 7:30 - 8:45 PM (ASL Interpreted)

Venue

Walterdale Theatre
10322 83 Ave NW

Copyright 2025 SkirtsAfire.

SkirtsAfire respectfully acknowledges that we are telling stories on the traditional and ancestral homeland of diverse Indigenous peoples including Nehiyawak (Cree), Metis, Inuit, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux, who have lived and travelled through this place thousands of years before us. We are all treaty people and as settlers to Treaty 6 Territory, which is also home to Métis Settlements and the Métis Nation of Alberta, we are striving to better listen, understand and learn from the Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. We respect and celebrate the languages, history and culture of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit whose presence continues to enrich this vibrant community here in ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ, Amiskwacîwâskahikan, also known as Edmonton, and at SkirtsAfire.

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