Cottagers and Indians

From October 22 to 25, 2018, Truth and Reconciliation Community – Bobcaygeon (TRC-Bobcaygeon) presented Cottagers and Indians, a play written by Drew Hayden Taylor a member of Curve Lake First Nation (CLFN).

The play, commissioned by Tarragon Theatre in Toronto, was first produced at Tarragon’s Extraspace in February and March 2018. 

TRC-Bobcaygeon wanted to produce the play in the Kawartha region because the play specifically addressed the conflict over the Indigenous right to grow and harvest Manoomin (wild rice) on the Kawartha Lakes and some cottagers desire for clear waterfront.

TRC-Bobcaygeon applied for and received funding from OPSEU and UNIFOR unions, and the Embracing the Spirit learning network and innovation fund of the United Church of Canada.

It took a huge amount of planning and new learning for most of the members of TRC-Bobcaygeon as they were unfamiliar with the theatre world.   Fortunately, Carla Salvador who had experience working in theatre and joined TRC-Bobcaygeon for the year it took to plan and complete the project.  

We took on some of the new and unfamiliar tasks:
  • Negotiating a contract with Tarragon Theatre and Ontario Presents (a not-for-profit, province-wide network of performing arts touring and presenting organizations)  
  • Determining the locations(s) where the play could be presented
  • Deciding how many shows to do depending on venues available and union guidelines for actors 
  • Planning the pre-show educational component for the adolescent audience at Gamiing Nature reserve
  • Designing a logo and t-shirt design to help promote the show
  • Planning a media and marketing campaign, including sending out press releases, posting on social media, and creating and distributing printed posters within a 60-kilometre radius
  • Arranging accommodations for the actors and stage manager
  • Setting ticket prices
  • Communicating with local school board representatives to ensure the matinée performances were available to a wide range of high school students
  • Ensuring Tarragon’s technical requirements could be met at each location
  • Ensuring the necessary insurance was in place at each location
  • Building a stage and set
  • Asking members of Curve Lake First Nation community connected to either the play or the harvesting of manoomin to be available at the end of each performance to answer questions and promote discussion.  (Supplied with an honorarium)

In the end, TRC-Bobcaygeon settled on the dates October 22 – 25, 2018 with 6 performances in total.

The first performance on Monday, October 22, 2018, was very exciting at the CLFN Community Centre with Drew Hayden Taylor and James Whetung (the Curve Lake member on whom the play was loosely based) in attendance.   It was also the first performance of the Ontario wide tour of the play.  Attendance was free for all CLFN residents as well as 25 members of each of the Alderville and Hiawatha First Nation communities, and a smaller number of members from Scugog First Nation.   Members of TRC-Bobcaygeon helped prepare the stage at the CLFN Community Centre on the day before, and provided pre- and post-performance refreshments for audience members on October 22, catered by Grandfather’s Kitchen in CLFN. 

The evening began with presentations of TRC-Bobcaygeon t-shirts and expressions of gratitude to Anne Taylor, James Whetung, Daemin Whetung, Drew Hayden Taylor, Patti Shaughnessy, Tarragon Theatre and, of course, the project sponsors.    In a surprise event, three of Drew’s “aunties” presented him with a great honour – an eagle feather – “on behalf of the extended Taylor family … for “telling our stories to the world.” Drew expressed how humbled he was to receive such a gift.

​Following that opening production, the play moved to the Lakeshore Arts Barn (LAB) just south of Bobcaygeon where there were three evening ticketed shows and two matinees.  Each show included a 30-minute post-show discussion period with Drew Hayden Taylor (the playwright) or Patti Shaughnessy (the original director) and either James Whetung or his daughter, Daemin Whetung, both active manoonim harvesters.  

The two matinées on October 24 and 25 2018 were primarily directed towards local students, who were bussed to the theatre.  The approximate 185 students were also treated to educational sessions in the morning at Gamiing Nature Reserve with Drew Hayden Taylor and Daemon Whetung which included tasting some delicious wild rice recipes.

Overall, the productions of Cottagers and Indians hosted by TRC-Bobcaygeon were seen by over 800 people.  All of the shows were sold out which was a major accomplishment—given that the plays were performed mid week, in the late fall, in cottage country!

In follow-up, TRC Bobcaygeon received a lovely letter from James Whetung, his partner, Michelle and his daughter Daemen:

Dear Truth and Reconciliation Community Bobcaygeon,

Chii Miigwetch for your wonderful work bringing Cottagers and Indians to our area. We enjoyed working with you in the lead-up to the performances and building relationships with you this past week.

We loved the inter-generational nature of the week. It was wonderful to have time with the High School students before they saw the play and we are hopeful that they brought some of what they learned home with them and that they will become leaders in reconciliation.

 We recognize your bravery in confronting this issue publicly. Your loving approach brings us warmth in the midst of opposition and encourages us that peace and understanding is possible. At the end of this week we feel that we are not alone. You have added tangible momentum and energy to the movement of reconciliation.

May you continue to find the way forward in your work.

Miigwetch
James, Daemin, and Michelle