Theater performed by indigenous people as a means for decolonization
In the vibrant cultural scene of Montreal, indigenous theatre has been making a significant impact.
Recently, the National Arts Centre's Indigenous Theatre celebrated its fifth anniversary, marking a milestone in the growth and recognition of indigenous theatre in Canada.
One of the highlights of this anniversary was the performance of Ayelen Varela, who captivated audiences with her rendition of "Yahndawa'. Ce que nous sommes" in May 2024 at the public hearing. This work, penned by Marie-Josée Bastien, traces a century of Huron-Wendat history.
Meanwhile, Ondinnok theatre company, a pioneer of francophone indigenous dramaturgy, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Founded by Yves Sioui Durand, a Wendat writer, and his life and work partner, Catherine Joncas, Ondinnok's anniversary program includes an exhibition, a colloquium, a play, and collaborations with other companies like Productions Menuentakuan and Production Auen.
The first show written by Yves Sioui Durand, "The Carrier of the World's Sorrows", was a significant event in the company's history. In 1992, "Le porteur des peines du monde", the French translation of this work, was published by Lemeac. More recently, Yves Sioui Durand and Catherine Joncas co-authored an autobiographical work titled "Ondinnok. The Sacred Desire of the Soul".
Ondinnok is not the only company making waves in indigenous theatre. Productions Menuentakuan, another prominent player, published their first work, Muliats, in 2018. Natasha Kanape Fontaine, Christophe Payeur, and Charles Buckell also co-signed the text.
Émilie Monnet, another talented writer, has two theatrical works, Marguerite : le feu and Okinum, part of the Scène_s collection of Les Herbes rouges. Monnet's work was also inspired by Marguerite Duplessis, as seen in a podcast titled Marguerite : la traversée.
The evolution of indigenous theatre has been a topic of interest for researchers like Richard Lefebvre. His book, "Contemporary Indigenous Theatre in Quebec and Canada", delves into the evolution of indigenous theatre and its growing presence in the public eye.
In the mid-1980s, indigenous voices rarely reached the public's ears, including in theatre. Today, however, Montreal's cultural landscape is rich with indigenous theatre, as evidenced by recent events such as the festival of Autochtoneries Aux Écuries, the presentation of Marguerite : le feu, and the residency of Soleil Launière at the Centre du Théâtre d'Aujourd'hui.
The written version of Soleil Launière's first play, Akuteu, is part of the Remue-ménage catalog since 2023. Additionally, Marie-Josée Bastien's family autofiction, Yahndawa'. Ce que nous sommes, was recently published by Hannenorak in the fall of 2024.
As indigenous theatre continues to evolve and thrive, it's clear that Montreal is a city where this art form is not only celebrated but also nurtured and supported.
