FNMI Drama First Nations theater is one of the most multifaceted Canadian genres, featuring a diverse range of performative traditions and themes. From the Ojibway bear ceremonies to the Makah initiation rites, and from the potlatches of the Northwest coast to contemporary powwows, Native drama has effectively resisted colonization and continuously reinvented itself over the centuries. There was a time during the Indian Act period that any ceremony or activity by First Nations was banned in Canada. The area of drama did not get a lead until the late 1960’s.

Myths and Legends are a great way to practise drama: The Elements of Drama – Gr. 2 students create a drama piece about a legend. 6: Spectacle / Theatre play 6:32 (French but English sub titles)

Indigenous theatre confronts and is reciprocally constituted with mainstream Canadian stage drama, exposing colonial oppression, exploiting and disrupting stereotypes, and enacting traditions that build community and challenge dominant understandings of what theatre is. Rather than identify a distinct or unified Canadian voice, our focus on diverse Canadian and First Nations plays helps us to understand the network of coalitions and contradictions that, together, stage Canada. /

Site provides many names of FNMI performers and a short bio for each one FNMI Performing Artists Saskatchewan FNMI Performers: Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company – site has much info to offer nada& Read the profiles and locate the FNM performers Curtis Peeteetuce Micheal Greyeyes michael greyeyes native actor 4:13

Maureen Belanger Maureen originates from the community of Ile-la Crosse, SK. Besides her Social Work career, Maureen is a talented Aboriginal performer on the Saskatchewan performing arts scene and is well known in that field. Through her signature name, Ernestine, Maureen’s fun, humble, humour has her in demand for hosting many events. Through her signature character, Ernestine, a spirited Metis Elder who loves attention, she has enlightened people on the Metis and their struggles. Ernestine aspires to preserve her language, Michif, by incorporating Michif into all her appearances, Ernestine ensures that the language will never be lost. Ernestine is well loved across Canada. Since 1976, Maureen has been the general manager of Upisasik Theatre Company Inc., the first Metis performing arts organization in Saskatchewan. Maureen’s long-term experience with Upisasik Theatre has revealed her dynamic abilities as Director and Producer, in addition to her well established performance and storytelling abilities. More Performers skatchewan-sage/musical-expands-its- audience Media article about Maureen Belanger 0ZXyF2WU&index=6&list=PL205F6430F9F34EE2 Andrea Menard 2:00 Bio.pdf Andrea Menard bio

kenneth-t-williams Playwrights Kenneth T. Williams Gr Site offers a catalogue of plays and short descriptions of available scripts picture-awards-show-aimpas American Indian Motion picture Awards Show (AIMPAS) (Has some insert videos) Document about FNM playright (lengthy but lots of learning)

AA549 Site offers how Wapos Bay creates their clay animation characters (there are many other sites to refer to from the list offered) puppet Site has brief description of shadow puppets used for teachings FNM Legends Has a video insert of students using FNM puppets for a presentation and site has many other areas to visit regarding drama Puppetry me Much info and bio regarding Derric Starlight Derric Starlight - Puppeteer Elmo Does Pow-wow South Bay 1:15

Animation 2:36 The Legend of Weesakayjack - First Nation Legend - How North America came to be How the Coyote got his Cunning 3:20 Shadow Puppets Raven: A Trickster's Tale 6:18 Template Animation – overlay on photo background When Raven Stole the Moon 1:52 Raven Tales - How Raven Stole the Sun 1:56

Comedy (This frame for gr ) Site offers some short bio’s of FNM comedians Candy Palmater The Candy Show – features comedian Candy Palmater Don Burnstick Bio info Bio info

Site offers an annotated bibliography of First Nation plays drama.html?mode=list Site offers a list of drama titles for purchase An alphabetical list of First Nation actors Site offers a list of drama titles for purchase

Let the Spirit of the Buffalo kindle your creativity! Thank-you for listening and learning! Sharon Meyer – First Nation, Metis, and Inuit Education Consultant North East School Division