Renae Morriseau could describe herself in many ways, with each one speaking to an essential part of who she is woman, Peguis First Nation, artist, singer, storyteller, actress (she played Ellen Kinesi in ), grandmother, urban dweller.
And while she embraces all of those things, what she loves is how they can all come together to create a sense of excitement about the future.
I am honoured and grateful for the life I live, she says in a telephone interview from her home in Squamish Nation. While she was exposed to all the traditions of her ancestors, including her English great-grandmother, she was allowed to find her own way. Nothing was told to me about how I should look at the world. Yes, I had traditions, and went to Anglican church with grandmother, but I was never told I had to be a certain way other than to be a good person.
So when she questioned why women werent allowed to join the singing around the drum at traditional ceremonies, she formed her own singing group, , with other Aboriginal women. When she wanted to tell stories in her own way, she became a writer.
She is part of the creative force behind a multi-disciplinary performance called Storyweaving. In it, the cast of aboriginal artists, elders and Downtown Eastside community members reach out to help a man The Old One open up to his lifes journey, his regrets and hopes, through the teachings of the medicine wheel. His journey home gives voice to experiences of the urban aboriginal community, to voices not heard, to lives left behind.
For Morriseau its a way of both acknowledging the woundedness of her people while also celebrating what she sees as a renaissance of First Nations culture.
We combine voices in this play to demonstrate were alive and well and kicking, she says. It is a beautiful thing. Working with people who have had devastating experiences is pretty profound.
Art gives voice to these messages but creates a new dialogue about future possibilities, such as the 麻豆传媒映画Operas Salish Coast-influenced production of The Magic Flute next March.
I love this amazing city, she says.
Storyweaving runs May 11 to 13 and May 18 to 20 at the 麻豆传媒映画Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 E. Hastings. Pay at the door with a sliding scale of $0 to $20.
Go to , or for more information.
