Play tackles reconciliation for Indigenous youth

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This article was published 21/08/2020 (2062 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An Osborne Village resident is performing in a play that shares stories about Indigenous youth and how they interact with the world around them with a focus on reconciliation, including issues of systemic racism and land ownership.

Jessica McGlynn plays a number of roles in Songide’ewin, being staged by Sarasvàti Productions at Whittier Park for limited audiences on Aug. 25 to 27 at 7 p.m., and also livestreamed online.

Beginning in early 2019, seven local organizations worked with Sarasvàti Productions and guest artists to offer a creative and supportive space for Indigenous youth. Through these workshops, over 70 youth examined the theme of reconciliation.

Songide’ewin was then compiled into script format by playwrights Jo MacDonald and Darla Contois. The production is being directed by Tracey Nepinak and designed by Louis Ogemah, with musician MJ Dandeneau as sound designer. The cast includes Sara Demers, Braiden Houle, Aqqalu Meekis and Josh Ranville, as well as Knowledge Keeper Gayle Pruden.

“I’m part of the ensemble, and each of us plays multiple roles,” McGlynn said, adding she is Métis.

The performance was originally scheduled for May, but the pandemic put the brakes on that.

Ultimately, the company decided to go ahead, because, “the work feels all the more timely as the pandemic has seen the uneven distribution of risk for Indigenous communities and the reality of systemic racism is at the forefront for so many people,” according to a press release. 

Stage manager Michelle Lagassé said they made the decision to hold the play outdoors in a park, under a tent, to keep the audience safely distanced from each other.

“We’re having no more than 50 people, in groups of two or three, which gives the actors an audience that will react to their performance,” Lagassé said. “In order to increase that audience, we’ve also sold tickets to the livestream.”

McGlynn is enthusiastic about that aspect of the performance. “I have relatives in the Toronto area, and they’ll be watching the play on YouTube,” she said.

While not a traditional play with a continuous story, Songide’ewin features scenes that often show interaction between youth and elders, as they listen and learn from each other, McGlynn said.

“We have a Knowledge Keeper, Gayle Pruden, who will do drumming and a jingle dance at one point,” she said.

The original workshops for Songide’ewin were done at Children of the Earth High School, Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, The Knowles Centre, Manitoba Youth Centre, Marymound School, Ndinawe, and Wahbung Abinoonjiiag for hosting Indigenous Youth Visioning Circles.

The live performance location will be under a tent at Whittier Park (836 Rue St. Joseph). Audiences attending in person are asked to review health and safety protocols on the website. Due to the ongoing uncertainty with COVID-19, full ticket refunds will be made if patrons are unable to attend.

Tickets are required for both the live and livestreamed performances and can be purchased at www.sarasvati.ca or 204-586-2236.