In present-day Metro Vancouver, the arts mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Theatre, film, dance, visual arts, and more—some events extending into October—magnify the meaning of Orange Shirt Day

By Gail Johnson

Xwemelchstn, 2019, by James (Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun) Harry.

SEPTEMBER 30 IS National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, established to recognize and honour survivors of residential schools and their families and communities who continue to be impacted today. It’s also Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led commemorative day that raises awareness of the individual, family, and community intergenerational effects of residential schools. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of Indigenous culture, language, traditions, freedom, and beliefs that Indigenous children experienced over generations.

As they always do, the arts have a way of transcending pain, bridging divides, and speaking to people straight to the heart. Below are a few local art-driven projects that are underscore the significance of September 30.

Krystle Pederson and Kathleen MacLean in Frozen River. Set and props design by Andrew Moro, costume design by Jay Havens, and lighting design by Dean Cowieson. Photo by Leif Norman, courtesy of Manitoba Theatre for Young People.

 Frozen River (nîkwatin sîpiy)

At Waterfront Theatre to October 16

Carousel Theatre for Young People launches its 2022-23 season with the West Coast premiere of Frozen River (nîkwatin sîpiy) by Manitoba Theatre for Young People. Through storytelling and puppetry, the play explores Indigenous rights, conservation, and interconnection. It’s told through the eyes of two 11-year-olds who come from very different worlds—one is Cree, one Scottish—and looks at the role everyone can play in reconciliation and environmentalism. It’s suitable for all ages from five years and up.

Frozen River’s opening performance, which falls on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, kicks off a series of community events being offered in partnership with CMHC Granville Island, the Vancouver International Children’s Festival, the Vancouver Writers Fest, the Vancouver Fringe Festival, and 3 Crows Productions. There’s an Indigenous artist sharing event with Nyla Carpentier, a pre-show concert by the Spooner Sisters, a workshop with DJ O Show, and more. For full details, visit carouseltheatre.ca.

This Is Not a Ceremony, part of VIFF Signals.

Vancouver International Film Festival

At various Vancouver venues to October 9

VIFF's brand new program Signals—which takes place October 1 to 3—is a unique interactive exhibition that explores the potential of creative technologies in storytelling. Co-curated by Loretta Todd and co-presented by VIFF and DigiBC, it features a focus on Indigenous programming.

Highlights include a world premiere of Sanctuary: A Tale of Two Forests, an ecological adventure through two distinct and threatened BC rainforests by Damien Gillis, T’uy’t’tanat-Cease Wyss, and Olivier Leroux; and This is Not a Ceremony by Niitsitapi writer and director Ahnahktsipiitaa (Colin van Loon). The latter which bears witness to the darker side of living life in Canada while Indigenous. The entire program is free to visitors.

VIFF launches, meanwhile, with Bones of Crows, a sweeping story that spans the greater part of the 20th century, by Métis writer-director Marie Clements. The film follows the life story of a Cree woman who, along with her siblings, is taken from her parents as a child by white settlers and forced to attend residential school, a gutting tale of oppression and resilience.

Throughout the festival, several other Indigenous titles are on offer. Acclaimed Inuk throat singer Tanya Tagaq co-directs Ever Deadly with Chelsea McMullan. An intimate portrait of the artist, the documentary combines performance recordings with interviews, verité camerawork, archival material, and hand-drawn animation.

The Klabona Keepers, directed by Tamo Campos and Jasper Snow-Rosen, is an incisive account of the Tahltan Nation's struggle to protect the Klabona Sacred Headwaters, a vital natural habitat in northwest B.C., from commercial mining. Interspersing verité cinematography with intimate interviews, the film documents tactics used by the land defenders. As blockades are met with police arrests, the trauma of residential schools and forced relocations is brought to the surface as part of the ongoing resistance to colonialism.

I Empower as a Mother, directed by Inder Nirwan and Dani Barker, focuses on the life and work of Patricia Massy, founder and director of Massy Arts Society and co-founder of Indigenous Brilliance collective.Chad Charlie’s Firecracker Bullets is a personal documentary of the Indigenous comedian’s transformative experience attending the Standing Rock occupation.

N'xaxaitkw director Asia Youngman.

Cambodian director Polen Ly’s Further and Further Away tells the story of a young Bunong woman and her older brother as they spend one last day in their rural Cambodian village before moving to the city in search of a more prosperous life. Kenny Welsh’s The Faraway Place follows a horned father and daughter on a mission to escape a violent cult that seeks to eradicate their kind.

Other Indigenous films include writer-director Asia Youngman’s N'xaxaitkw, about a search for legendary lake monster N’xaxaitkw—known to settlers as Ogopogo; the 1960s-set Rose, about an Indigenous teen in her last weeks of pregnancy; and Rosie, set in the fringes of 1980s Montréal, a love letter to misfits and an ode to found families. The Runner tags along with Darius Sam, a young man from the Lower Nicola First Nation, who attempts to run a 100-mile ultramarathon in sub-zero temperatures to raise awareness for addiction and mental health in his community. Sexy Highland Stream is a tribute to its namesake body of water spoken in English and Anishinaabemowin.

Tibi, directed Jarret Twoyoungmen, uses archival and self-shot footage to document the teaching of Îethka culture through the making of a tipi under supervision of knowledge keepers.Sikiitu is a coming-of-age story in the small Arctic village of Ivujivik; Terror/Forming follows Parker and his boyfriend as they make a disturbing discovery on their way to Parker’s late kokum’s cabin.

James (Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun) Harry.

BC Culture Days: On Truth and Reconciliation: Indigenous artist James Harry discusses his project with SOS Village (pictured at top)

At Griffin Art Projects on September 30 from 1 to 2:30 pm

James (Nexw’Kalus-Xwalacktun) Harry, who is of Squamish and European heritage, began carving in his early childhood with his father, Xwalacktun. After interning in the United Kingdom, where he learned metal casting and taught Coast Salish sculpture, he earned a bachelor of fine arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. His portfolio includes Harry pieces include large-scale pieces at YVR Airport, UBC, Whistler Blackcomb, and more.

At this event, Harry—the most recent recipient of Griffin Art Projects’ Indigenous Studio Award—will discuss his recent piece for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in collaboration with SOS Children’s Village BC. The talk includes a Q&A led by Indigenous curatorial assistant Emmett Hanly.

Jeanette Kotowich.

 Kisiskâciwan

At the Scotiabank Dance Centre on September 30 and October 1

Nêhiyaw Métis dance artist Jeanette Kotowich’s highly anticipated new solo was inspired by the body’s connection to the land, specifically, the sacred place in Saskatchewan’s Kah-tep-was Valley where she spent summers at her family cabin. Kotowich tells Stir that Kisiskâciwan will build toward a place of joy and release—and offers a nod to the beloved Métis jigging she grew up with.

Priscilla Omulo.

BC Culture Days: Weaving our Story Towards Reconciliation

At Kinsmen Hall, Port Coquitlam, on September 30; online to October 16

Tsartlip First Nation artist Priscilla Omulo, a BC Culture Days Ambassador, hosts a day-long gathering with the support of PoCo Arts Council, the Wondrous Tree Fellowship, Quatsino First Nation weaver Leonard Williams. Throughout the day, people can learn how to weave hearts with cedar, using traditional techniques passed on to Omulu by Williams, her mentor; these hearts will become part of a larger sculpture, created with the help of PoCo Arts Council member Karla MacDonald. The short film "Weaving Our Story Towards Reconciliation" releases online at BC Culture Days on September 30, and will be available for viewing throughout the duration of the festival.

Be the Change You Want to See

At Place des Arts, Coquitlam, September 30 from 1 to 3 pm

Indigenous artist and Christine Mackenzie leads this free community workshop where people can help create a mural of a butterfly’s life cycle, reflecting change and growth, that will be added to the arts centre’s Community Engagement Project display. Mackenzie offers workshops for all ages around culture and identity, using art to open the conversation about cultural appropriation and to teach Indigenous history.

Root Dwellers Fundraiser for Indian Residential School Survivors Society

At The Anza Club, September 30 at 8 pm

This Root Dwellers Music Showcase features three Indigenous talents: hip-hop artist Dakota Bear, JB The First Lady (hip-hop, spoken word), and soul-pop singer-songwriter Hayley Wallis. Funds raised go to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

 

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