Kaha Dance Theatre’s Blood Water Earth opens Public Energy season in Peterborough
Santee Tekaronhiáhkhwa Smith performs in Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s Blood Water Earth.
Photo credit: Andy Moro
Kaha Dance Theatre will open Public Energy Performing Arts’ 2026–27 season in Peterborough on Oct. 14, 2026, with Blood Water Earth, a multimedia dance work led and performed by Santee Tekaronhiáhkhwa Smith. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, with Missy Knott appearing as the evening’s musical guest opener.
Smith is a multidisciplinary artist from the Kahnyen’kehàka (Mohawk) Nation, Turtle Clan, from Ohswé / Six Nations of the Grand River. She founded Kaha Dance Theatre in 2005. The company identifies itself as a Rotinohnsyónni-led organization whose home community is Ohswé / Six Nations and whose home city is Tkarón’ / Toronto.
Kaha describes Blood Water Earth as a solo work combining performance, projected video and music, with imagery drawn from both Aotearoa and Six Nations of the Grand River. The company calls it an international Indigenous collaboration involving artists from Turtle Island and Aotearoa, with Smith working with Ngāi Tahu choreographer, dancer and video artist Louise Potiki Bryant. The work draws from Kaha’s earlier triptych Re-Quickening, Blood Tides and Skén.
Bryant is credited with video design and shares director of photography credits with Paddy Free. Cris Derksen composed the music, Andy Moro is the lighting designer, and Biine Kwe Elijah is credited as the singer in the current Public Energy production credits. Knott’s appearance is billed separately by Public Energy as the musical guest opener.
Smith remains Kaha’s founding and managing artistic director. McMaster University identifies her as Chancellor Emerita, and the Governor General of Canada lists her as a Member of the Order of Canada. Her Kaha biography describes her work as a performer, choreographer, producer and multidisciplinary artist.
Public Energy’s current season listing places tickets at $20 to $50 plus fees through the Market Hall box office. The performance is expected to run about 90 minutes including intermission. Ground-level wheelchair-accessible seating and an accessible washroom are available at Market Hall, and Public Energy asks patrons with accessibility questions or seating requests to contact the organization.
