Developments
The Fourth Wall
Format: 1 hour special
Genre: performing arts documentary
Style: Live action
Anticipated production: 2024
The Fourth Wall is an arts documentary about The Secret to Good Tea, a play written by Rosanna Deerchild that is being brought to the world stage this September in Ottawa. Rosanna hails from the O-Pipon Na-Piwin Cree Nation in Manitoba and the play is based on her own experiences with her mother Edna. The play portrays a journey of healing, forgiveness and hope that follows Maggie, a residential school survivor, and her daughter Gwynn. Maggie struggles with a recurring nightmare about her time at the school and her daughter encourages her to return to the site of the school to face her demons and try to make sense of the trauma it caused. Gwynn is a journalist and is interested in learning the truth about what went on at residential schools so she can share the stories with the world. Mother and daughter begin their conversation over tea, with Maggie reluctant to talk about her experiences.
The story is both tragic and empowering, and is intended to encourage others who have had similar experiences to open up and reconcile their inner turmoil. Similar to our award-winning production of Kaha:wi, we will shoot the key scenes that make up the essence of the story in studio. The Secret To Good Tea had its world premiere at Winnipeg’s Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in March 2023 where we filmed the rehearsal process and the audiences reactions in the lobby after the show. This was augmented by interviews and B-Roll of the playwright and the director, shot by Jordan Molaro. In short, by examining both the story within the play and the story of its creator, we’ll come to see more clearly that the playwrights are indeed at a time of celebration of Indigenous excellence.
13 Moons
Format: 13 x 30-minute series
Genre: Children’s programming
Style: Hybrid animation & live action
Anticipated production: 2024
13 Moons is a deep dive into the traditional Vision Keepers’ teachings through the eyes of a coming-of-age young woman named “Little Current.” Little Current is a dancer. She has been raised to be strong, noble and respectful of creation. For example, she knows that everything in Creation has spirit. The plants, the trees, the water, the wind, the rocks and the mountains have spirit. The sky world, including the moon and the other planets, have spirit. All of these are part of our First Family, the natural world.
The Moon is called Grandmother Moon and great respect is paid to her. As a young woman, Little Current has come to a time in her life that she must be aware of all the teachings she needs to become a woman. Through respected “Teachers” (Karen Pheasant, Sherry Copenace) she will “dance” us through all the teachings and ceremony she needs to be a strong, noble and respectful of creation.
These illuminations will be taught in the women’s lodge where the cycles of the 13 moons will open the doors to her lifetime of understanding and being. Each passing moon will guide her through the changes that will light her way. They will follow times for planting, harvesting, hunting, gathering and the teachings she must follow to be an Anishinaabe Kway (Woman). In the Anishinaabe calendar the names of each month include the word ‘moon’ and reflect the close connection between the cycles of the moon, the plant and animal life and the teachings behind them on Turtle Island. As Little Current dances through all these realms of understanding and becomes more aware and knowledgeable of our traditions and culture so does our honour and respect for these ways.
Song of Heyokah
Format: 13 x 30-minute series
Genre: Historical documentary
Style: Live action
Anticipated production: 2024
On January 25, 2024 the Canadian government issued an apology at Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation for not honouring the treaties that were signed. Few Canadians are even aware of who they are and why this is happening. It is critical in taking the path to reconciliation with our Indigenous nations that this be rectified.
Song of Heyokah is a historical journey through spiritual songs of the Dakota Nation in North America. Much of the “History of the Dakota” is captured through pictographs on the Buffalo Robes from the past. They recount the history of the Dakota Oyate through seven generations in North America. This documented history of the people shows the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota people have roamed the plains for millennia.
Traditional Elders from the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, which is part of the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota Spirit Nation, know that history is woven into the teachings of Heyokah. Dakota Elder Harold Blacksmith explains, “Heyokah is our spiritual teacher. To be a Heyokah requires an initial spiritual experience, usually in form of a dream or vision. The Heyokah is expected to act in ways that break with the traditional norms of the tribe which also strengthens us. It is from these ‘dreams and visions’ we maintain our culture, our history and create our songs.”
“Heyokah awakening is a spiritual awakening that can be experienced by anyone who’s willing to follow their heart and listen to their soul.”
These Dakota Oyate songs take us on a spiritual journey back into the history of the people. “First, our spiritual songs evoke our very beginnings, our connection to our past and our way forward. By recounting these songs, we spiritually bring forth our sacred histories and our connections to the Great White Mother, the Queen.”