MANITOWANING—It will be interesting to see how controversial Debajehmujig Storytellers’ latest mainstage production ‘New Elders’ will be when it takes to the summer mainstage on August 1. Following in the footsteps of Debajehmujig Storytellers founder Shirley Cheechoo (famed Indigenous filmmaker, actor and playwright), this new work is aimed at changing the residential school narrative from “survivor” and its inherent suggestion of victimhood to one celebrating resilience and the resurgence of Indigenous language, culture and traditions.
The rough storyline, based on a custom play written by Debaj for Noojmowin Teg Health Services, centres on an Indigenous student’s struggle to understand the residential school period and write a report by enlisting his nookmis, or grandmother (played by Kotnee Kaboni), who attended a residential school.
As Debaj describes it, “a performance about a young man on a journey with his family to discover who are the new elders.”
Through three generations, Ms. Kaboni as grandmother, mother (played by Tabitha Peltier) and uncle Thomas (played by Danielle Recollect-Mejaki and student report writer Tyler Pangowish), the play explores reactions and resilience in the face of generational trauma in an uplifting and hopeful beat.
Preview night for ‘The New Elders’ is July 31 at 7 pm. Show dates are August 1 to 3, 7 to 8pm with a matinee on August 3 at 2 pm. There are 7 pm shows on August 7 to 10 and there is another matinee on August 10 at 2pm. The closing show takes place August 10 at 7pm. Please email storytellers@debaj.ca or call 705-859-2317 for reservations. Performances of ‘The New Elders’ take place at the Debajehmujig Creation Centre located at 43 Queen Street in Manitowaning. Doors open at 6 pm, with curtain at 7 pm. Sliding scale admission applies.
