Dem Ishtar is a non-binary, uninvited guest from the SWANA, current day Syria-Jordan, Levant region, on the unceded territories of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.
Ishtar is the ancient goddess of fertility, sensuality, and war in ancient Mesopotamia. Dem Ishtar draws on Ishtar, Inana, and the goddesses of the Levant and Mesopotamia in their dance practice; they harness their power into motion. Dem Ishtar is a word-play on their non-binary pronouns (they/them) and a direct transliteration of the word "dem" meaning "blood".
As they put it: "I am the blood of Ishtar, her resiliency, resistance, sensuality, love, and power, flow through my veins and guide my path."
