Born and raised in Toronto, Cotee's roots stem from the Cree Shawnee Potawatomi Nation and she is also a member of the Mistawasis First Nation in Saskatchewan. As the youngest daughter of the late urban elder Vern Harper, she merges her heritage as an Indigenous dance artist with a contemporary dance style. For 25 years, she studied classical ballet and contemporary dance at Anna McCowan Johnson’s Interplay School of Dance. Harper is also a traditional dancer of fancy shawl and jingle dress and has performed for dignitaries, in schools, and festivals throughout Ontario, as well as in the music video of tenor and composer Jeremy Dutcher. She was featured in the opening performance of the 2017 Indspire Awards as well as in the Canada 150 “Our Home on Native Land” celebrations at Toronto’s Harbourfront with the ensemble Meegwetch.
Instagram: @bluekwe28
Email: shootingstar-coteetheo@hotmail.com
