Tomson Highway touches many

It has been said that Tomson Highway is Native theatre in Canada. His play, Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing, was a hit in Thunder Bay some years back, and now Magnus Theatre is showing Highway’s first play, The Rez Sisters, until November 8.

October 30, 2008: Volume 35 #22

A tragic-comedy, the story revolves around seven First Nations women from a reserve on Manitoulin Island and their trip to the “biggest bingo in the world.”

The story is actually about each woman’s difficult and intertwined past and each one’s hopes for the future. Of course, winning the biggest bingo in the world would be heaven, but is that the way it turns out?

With such a lot of money at stake, will the women work together or go it alone? Directed by Mario Crudo, The Rez Sisters takes the audience inside many places: the rez, the bingo hall, the van to Toronto, and the outhouse.

The costume design by Mervi Agombar immediately tips us off to the personalities we get to know later through word and action. Costuming of Nanabush and the flamboyant Bingo Master is brilliant. The set design by Ted Roberts was influenced by the art of Marc Chegall, Tom Thompson, and Canadian Woodlands Art.

Roberts says the design is a cross between Norval Morrisseau and toontown. The music by composer/musician Danny Johnson is the country toe-tappin’ type that suits the scenes well. Interestingly, bits of dialogue are spoken in Cree and Ojibwe.

It’s out of the ordinary to hear these languages spoken and the meanings go straight to your heart.

The play reaches the viewer on many levels. One can’t miss the collision of cultures. You can’t be indifferent about the content or the message. And Highway doesn’t want you to. This 1980s play has stood the test of time and is a not-to-be-missed experience.

While in our part of the country, this playwright, novelist, and pianist has been busy with a project called The Written Tradition – Literature, Literacy and Aboriginal Identity. For the month of October, he acted as the first-ever shared artist-in-residence at Negahneewin College and Lakehead University through the office of Aboriginal initiatives.

As well, he has been raising money for literacy through musical performances. He has given his time and expertise to local high school students and has given talks at Thunder Bay libraries.

Born in 1951 in northern Manitoba, Highway’s first language was Cree, and he fell in love with stories told by his parents.

Now, he is dedicated to promoting literacy and education within Aboriginal communities. His task is to consider how Aboriginal literature has both informed and validated Aboriginal identity in Canada.

Aboriginal education and literacy programs will use this study across the country and, no doubt, around the world.

In 1994 Highway was inducted into the Order of Canada – the first Aboriginal writer to be so honoured.

He has shaped the development of Aboriginal theatre in both Canada and around the world. He has written children’s books and continues to write plays. His efforts in Thunder Bay will be valued for many years: we’ll remember The Rez Sisters, we’ll utilize The Written Tradition project, and we’ll appreciate his music and teaching.