As a feminist sexual violence support centre, Salal offers counselling, support groups, and crisis line assistance, third party reporting, hospital accompaniment and so much more to survivors but the brilliance of WAVAW’s community can’t be contained to service provision – we know that our voices, experiences, and expertise make massive waves to shift culture, raise consciousness, and add value to the world around us substantive ways.
We welcome folks to participate in our Salal Salon Series which will involve monthly virtual discussions that explore critical and emerging issues that our communities are facing, and work that is being done by practitioners, academics, organizers, activists, and creatives on the topic of sexual violence.
From book club chats to facilitated group discussions, the Salal Salon Series will serve as a space of learning, sharing, and exploration of issues facing our communities on a deeper level. Past and present Salal volunteers, staff, and community partners within the anti-violence field are invited to engage in intellectually stimulating, culturally responsive and rich discussions that complexify the landscape of anti-violence work and response.
Our second Salon will focus on the moving documentary about Madelaine McCallum leveraging the power of dance as she grapples with a cancer diagnosis.
Join us on Monday, November 22 from 6pm to 8pm PST for the virtual screening of, ‘Dancing Through’. Immediately after the screening, we will be joined by Madelaine for a Q&A session to delve deeper into the themes that were explored in this film.
Space is limited so be sure to register in advance.
At 33 years old, Cree/Métis powwow dancer and jigger Madelaine has had a cancerous lump removed from her breast. A year later, Madelaine discovers the lump has not only returned, but grown exponentially. Follow Madelaine’s journey as an Indigenous woman grappling with a cancer diagnosis, navigating the western medical system, and ultimately utilizing the power of dance to guide her through.
MADELAINE MCCALLUM is a dancer originally from Ile a la Crosse, Saskatchewan. Though she is well known for Métis dance (she’s been jigging since she could walk!), she enjoys all forms including Pow Wow, contemporary, Hip Hop and just movement from the soul. Madelaine has performed for many stages. Performing was a natural progression into choreographing her first solo piece which includes Powwow dancing, contemporary and Metis Jigging.
Through many performances with her solo piece and collaborating with many dance/theatre companies such as Compaigni Vni Dansi, Dancing Earth and Full Circle etc. Her passion for dance has taken her all over Canada. Madelaine is currently one of the choreographers for Butterflies in Spirit, a dance group made up of family members of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Founded by Lorelei Williams.
Madelaine has a passion for sharing her knowledge of dance and culture. Madelaine also shares her story of survival and how dance has been her outlet and savior throughout her life. Her belief in sharing knowledge with her community to empower and strengthen them and her deep love of dance and firm belief in its healing powers, for the audience as well as the dancer, is what Madelaine believes is her calling.
