Indigenous performance politics: a decolonial perspective of performative works by Kent Monkman, Spiderwoman Theater Company, Rebecca Belmore and James Luna

Through a multi-dimensional examination of specific performances by Kent Monkman, Rebecca Belmore, Spiderwoman Theater Company, and James Luna, my thesis argues that it is possible to understand the divergent (and collective) ways each artist constructs culturally specific, contemporary subject positions in a manner that continues to challenge the frames of settler colonies from which they emerge. These four artists/artists groups, using different Indigenous perspectives, offer new interpretations that question how we understand ongoing colonial relationships by using images, artworks, and performances in strategic and interventionist ways that constitute acts of decolonization. While mainstream art historical discourse has provided analytical tools, such as modern, postcolonial and/or postmodern approaches, to discuss the work of Indigenous artists, it is the contention of this thesis that a decolonial framework conducive toward advancing Indigenous struggles, or engaging their resistances, should now become the predominant method.
I am advocating that we need a greater decolonial understanding of the complex ways in which contemporary Indigenous artists, and their communities, are positioned differently within a globalized, capitalist system deeply embedded in the multiple layers of imperial and colonial practices. Using performance as a framing device, and direct interviews with each artist as a method, I compare and contrast the four artists/artists’ groups views, methods, and strategies to show trends, connections, points of contention, and gaps in the existing research as this aspect of Indigenous performance art and theater practice have not been explored in any detailed way before. Furthermore, I am aiming to demonstrate the extent to which each artist retains the spirit of “Indigenous ways of knowing” while engaging performance strategies that allow for the reopening of Western-based paradigms to silenced voices. My belief is that this would provide new insights and a contribution to knowledge about their work not just in academia, but also beyond in Indigenous communities.