In Anishnaabemowin, Okinum means dam. In deciphering a recurring dream about beavers, Émilie Monnet discovers how to break down interior barriers, to trust in the power of intuition, and to deconstruct cultural walls. A circular and immersive experience that interweaves three languages — English, French and Anishnaabemowin — Okinum is an ode to reclaiming language and reconnecting to one's ancestors.

At the intersection of theatre, performance and media arts, Émilie Monnet's practice is centred on collaborative creations. Her work has most often taken the form of interdisciplinary theatre and immersive performance experiences. As a writer, performer, and director, Monnet created Okinum, a piece which is firmly rooted in issues surrounding colonialism and language reclamation. Okinum marked the start of Monnet's three-year artist residency at Centre du Theatre d'Aujourd'hui and announced her as a major talent in theatre. Both Anishnaabe/Algonquin and French, raised between the Outaouais, Quebec, and Brittany, France, she is now living in Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyaang/Montreal. She is the artistic director of Onishka Productions and the new artist-in-residence at Espace GO.

Émilie Monnet's profile page

• Winner, Indigenous Voices Award

"A vast healing ritual, it's impossible not to be moved." — Le Devoir

"Extraordinarily relevant." — Le Délit

"Okinum speaks of the importance of transmission to the new generation, but also openness to others." — Mon Theatre