The Ukrainian Shumka Dancers are proud to present the world premiere Dancing on Eggshells: The Making of Ancestors & Elders at Metro Cinema.

The documentary explores a historic union of Cree and Ukrainian culture featuring Shumka and the Running Thunder Dancers and Drummers.

Following Shumka choreographer Joseph Hoffman and indigenous theatre artist Barry Bilinsky, the film examines the unlikely pair’s creative process as they navigate the difficulties of uniting their respective stories, while dancing around 150 years of cultural baggage.

The presentation features a full performance of Ancestors & Elders, a dance production telling the story of the first Ukrainian settlers in Alberta and their relationship with the Indigenous people of Treaty 6 territory they encountered. The work features Canada’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers and the renowned Running Thunder Cree Dancers and Drummers, both based in Edmonton.