Our Story
Odawa Wiingushk tells the story of three Indigenous Nations from Turtle Island (North America) coming together through dance. The was founded by three dancers, Lindy Kinoshameg from the Odawa Nation, Leslie Mccue from the Michi Saagiig Nation, and Jillian Sutherland from the Cree Nation, whose paths first crossed in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The three of them come together from three separate communities and represent three different dance styles to form Odawa Wiingushk.
Wiingushk (Sweetgrass) is one of the four medicines considered sacred to many Indigenous groups from Turtle Island and is often found braided together. Individual blades of grass can be damaged easily, but when braided together, form an unbreakable bond. This braid symbolizes the coming together of Odawa Wiingushk, each strand representing the past, the present, and our collective future.
Odawa Wiingushk highlights the Fancy Shawl, a dance which imitates the graceful beauty of a butterfly, a storytelling dance connecting to our relationship with the animals called the Prairie Chicken style and the Traditional Dance representing the strength of women who are the backbone of our communities, life-givers, life sustainers and water carriers, in a dynamic and engaging performance for all. Odawa Wiingushk often invites other dancers and styles to be braided into their performance to highlight a variety of dance styles on the Powwow Trail. Performances often include an audience participation component.
Wiingushk (Sweetgrass) is one of the four medicines considered sacred to many Indigenous groups from Turtle Island and is often found braided together. Individual blades of grass can be damaged easily, but when braided together, form an unbreakable bond. This braid symbolizes the coming together of Odawa Wiingushk, each strand representing the past, the present, and our collective future.
Odawa Wiingushk highlights the Fancy Shawl, a dance which imitates the graceful beauty of a butterfly, a storytelling dance connecting to our relationship with the animals called the Prairie Chicken style and the Traditional Dance representing the strength of women who are the backbone of our communities, life-givers, life sustainers and water carriers, in a dynamic and engaging performance for all. Odawa Wiingushk often invites other dancers and styles to be braided into their performance to highlight a variety of dance styles on the Powwow Trail. Performances often include an audience participation component.