Ohcitaw (ᐅᐦᒋᑕᐤ)

Presentation

World Premiere: May 3rd, 2026

Backstage Theatre, Saskatoon, SK | 22 minute work

Presented by International Dance Week through Free Flow Dance Theatre

Ohcitaw (ᐅᐦᒋᑕᐤ) is a collaboration between Meghann Michalsky and Bluejay Linklater.

Meghann Michalsky holds a degree in Contemporary dance from the University of Calgary. She is an award winning contemporary dancer, choreographer, producer, and filmmaker. Bluejay Linklater is a champion dancer whose practice is rooted in men’s Traditional Dance, Grass Dance, and Chicken Dance styles. Together, they created Ohcitaw (ᐅᐦᒋᑕᐤ), a Cree word meaning destiny or fate.

The work is shaped by the circumstances that brought them together as creators—meeting in this unplanned shared moment of time and space. This convergence, guided by something beyond intention, forms the foundation of the piece and its title.

Ohcitaw (ᐅᐦᒋᑕᐤ) pays homage to the history and traditional ways of Traditional, Grass, Chicken Dance styles and contemporary dance while stepping into a modern space.Their task was to share their cultures and create a piece through this exchange. 

The creation of work has been consulted alongside knowledge keepers within our community. 

Artists Involved

Collaboration between Meghann Michalsky and Bluejay Linklater

Dramaturge: Michael Linklater & Mike Czuba 

Knowledge Keeper: Lyndon J Linklater

Music: Art Mooseaman, JR Ottawa, Deathpact, Jessita Reyes, I-F, Rafael Anton Irisarri, Social state