White Girls In Moccasins Play

A title that can trigger intrusive yet

Thought-provoking thoughts!

Questions on which path will this show go?

How did this journey start?

What metaphors & intentions were running around?

Was the goal to see if assumptions came up top?

As the night went on,

95+ minutes of more understanding

Clarifying the fog….

Playing throughout the spring

Where blossoms struggle to emerge

From sudden snowfalls & Northern Wind.

March to April, this production must

Goes on!

Any weather will not dampen the message,

The voices that speak what is been silenced

For too long.

In the heart of the city,

In a place where storytelling arts thrive.

‘A Nature of The Performing Arts’ &

Manidoons Collective Co- Production

Showcase

This masterpiece inside the Aki Studio

In Daniel Spectrum,

In the community known as Regent Park.

Written by Yolanda Bonnell,

Directed by Yolanda and Carmen Alvis.

Miskozi played by Katia Ferderber.

Ziibi played by Raven Wngz.

Waabishkizi played by Elizabeth Staples.

Folks gathered around from different walks,

Curious minds,

Residential school survivors that want

Answers, Closures…maybe a peace of mind…

Folks who came from different lands joined.

To listen,

Settlers remained silent and nodded their heads.

In agreement…

The four colours of the medicine wheel

Gathered and as reflected in this space.

Red, Black, Yellow, White.

There were also offerings of a healing space,

With sacred medicines and attentive folks

On standby,

Just in case!

For this play is not just to entertain…

It stands for truth and speaks on real themes,

Therefore, there shall be trigger warnings…

Colonialism, racism,

Trauma and violence…

But a space was provided with listening ears.

Of lived experience to provide a safety blanket.

To comfort & reassure that folks don’t need to

Go through the emotions alone…

A teaching of the community that elders continue to

Speak & instructed us to continue to practice daily.

Identity, History, Culture, Traditions…

Fish, water…

The singing tells a story of a girl

Who felt lost & wanted to be found!

Dances elegantly that speaks louder than dialogue,

Painting historical events

With images that mean more than a thousand words.

Wheel of privilege,

Symbols of colonialism

Loss of self-spirals into storms

Meant to rip away generations of their heritage.

Policing, encounters and white serpents, trafficking, unrequited

Relationships falling apart.

Remarks made as the character tries to decipher

Where she came from.

Media-enforced beauty standards,

Admiring surface features,

Wanting to feel belong

But walk further than the comfort of being amongst

The trout.

No faults in rediscovering what was believed to be

A fraud or imposter,

But the mother’s heartbeat,

The beating drum as Ziibi sang in hopes

Miskozi remembers who she is from the beginning of time.

To reclaim what was always hers.

The beauty of practicing ancestral practices,

And speaking the grandmother’s tongue.

Reclaiming what is rightfully her people,

The lands and water that bore witness

To her people’s birthplace,

Before colonizers spread seeds of deceit & chaos.

The audience was able to participate,

In laughter, clapping, and shouts!

Breaking down Hollywood myths

Of fans’ favourite stories,

Comparing who looks more indigenous,

Who would have a crown?

Through humorous jokes,

Truths continue to be revealed.

The crowd went through tidal waves of facials.

Expressions with each segment,

The minds were racing.

“You were never lost.”

Miskozi unwrapped what Ziibi wanted her to see all along.

Wearing the beautiful moccasins

Reconnecting to roots that were awaiting to be revealed.

Brushing gently, lovingly against the very skin that was

Once ashamed and mocked on…was grace and true love.

Tears from the audience

Came to fruition

To be proud of your ancestors,

Be proud of who you are!