Young People’s Theatre productions explore the seven ancestral teachings
By Sam Laskaris
TORONTO – The renowned Young People’s Theatre (YPT) has certainly stepped up its commitment to increase knowledge and appreciation of the history and culture of Indigenous people.
The Toronto-based company has released its 2019-20 programming schedule and all of its productions are based on one of the seven ancestral teachings of the Anishinaabe (also known as the Seven Grandfather Teachings).
For starters, YPT, which is celebrating its 50th year of operations for its drama school, will present The Mush Hole on its mainstage, from Oct. 16-25.
The Mush Hole is a production, recommended for those ages 11 and up, which explores the intergenerational impacts of the residential school system that existed in Canada.
“I think every Canadian child should see it,” said Lindy Kinoshameg, a citizen of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, and YTP’s community engagement facilitator. “They’ll understand and be able to see that part of history.”
The ancestral teaching The Mush Hole is based on is Truth. The six other teachings are Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, and Humility.
YPT’s programming for the 2019-20 season will feature eight productions.
Jack And The Magic Bean will also be based on the ancestral teaching of Truth. This production will begin April 14 and continue until May 10.
YPT officials decided to increase its Indigenous-focussed programming in 2017 in response to the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, specifically to the Call to Action that stated the arts are positioned to be a platform for reconciliation.
Along with YPT’s artist educator Leslie McCue, a citizen of Curve Lake First Nation, Kinoshameg developed a project titled INDIGENizeUS. This project featured a number of educational workshops based on the seven ancestral teachings.
Kinoshameg was a production intern at YPT when he came up with the project idea. He hopes to also run these workshops for other companies in the future.
Since then, others have taken note of what YPT has been doing and have indicated their interest to become involved. That is evident with the fact all of the YPT productions this season will have an ancestral teaching theme.
“Those relationships have grown and other organizations have responded to the work YPT has done,” Kinoshameg said of the contacts his company has formed with other groups.
YPT’s artistic director Allen MacInnis believes it is only natural that YPT responded positively to the TRC report.
“I consider it the responsibility of all Canadians to be responsive to the Calls to Aaction,” he said.
MacInnis added YPT will continue to have Indigenous-themed programming beyond this season.
“I really hope it’s going to be more deeply imbedded in what we do,” he said.
After The Mush Hole, the second production YPT will stage this season is The Adventures of Pinocchio, which begins on Nov. 11 and will continue until Jan. 5.
This production is based on the ancestral teaching of Honesty.
Then the theme of Love will be explored in A Million Billion Pieces, which runs Nov. 25 through Dec. 13.
This show is about a pair of teenagers and a rare disease, which could prove to be fatal if they make contact.
In the new year, the classic story Jungle Book will be performed from Feb. 10 until Mar. 21. Respect is the ancestral teaching featured in this production.
The three other YPT productions that will be staged in 2020 are: You and I, Blue Planet, and Cartography.
You And I is recommended for those 12-30 months (and of course, their parents). It is an interactive production that allows young children to explore through colour, touch, sound and movement. The ancestral teaching for this show, which runs Feb. 11-23, is Humility.
Blue Planet, based on the teaching of Wisdom, runs Apr. 6-29. It is about a planet where children learn to fly.
Cartography, which will be performed from May 5-14, is based on the teaching of Bravery. Cartography is about five individuals who tell stories about young refugees searching for new homes.