For many playwrights such as St. Albert’s Josh Languedoc, writing stories is a critical responsibility he faces in telling truthful stories about his Indigenous heritage.
Languedoc, co-creator of Civil Blood: A Treaty Story partners with director Neil Kuefler in the Thou Art Here Theatre’s world premiere running at Fort Edmonton Park from July 24 to August 4.
“It wasn’t an artistic impulse to put the play in Fort Edmonton Park. Thou Art Here is not your typical theatre space. It is site sympathetic, and it’s been cool to write for something in an actual space that is not a theatre,” Languedoc said.
The action takes place in 1876 Amiskwaciwâskahikan known to settlers as Fort Edmonton. Tensions are high. The fur trade is disappearing. Trainloads of settlers are grabbing land and invading First Nations territories, and the newly elected Canadian government is imposing law and order.
Tribes are enduring scarcity of food due to destroyed hunting grounds. The Indigenous population faces starvation and whiskey is rampant. Performed in one hour of real time, the play kicks off during the pressure-filled night Treaty 6 is signed.
Eleven cast members played by Indigenous and non-Indigenous actors build the action to a crisis point. Inspired by William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, three characters represent major players and drive the action.
Ekah (Emily Berard) is a nehiyaw huntress who enjoyed a long courtship with Julian Bouchard (Gabriel Richardson), son of Fort Edmonton’s chief factor, a well-respected commander. During the time they’ve known each other, Ekah’s sister dies, and Julian’s parents perish.
After Ekah’s sister’s death, she takes her responsibilities as a huntress seriously and chooses to protect her people. Julian also deals with grief from his parents’ death and the two star-crossed lovers part ways. The night of Treaty 6 signing is the first time they’ve seen each other in one year.
“Nehiyaw doesn’t want to sign the treaty once they enter negotiations. Both are angry with each other but decide to ignite the marriage. A priest tries to stop them and is killed,” said Languedoc.
The third pivotal character is Lily Sampson (Christina Nguyen), daughter of the Governor. Although she is an overindulged young woman, Lily is an idealist and tries to support those in need.
“Governor Sampson brought Lily because he hopes to marry her to Julian Bouchard,” Languedoc said.
As theatre-goers arrive at Fort Edmonton, they are divided into two tracks. One group follows Ekah’s track and the second group follows Lily’s track.
“Up until a year and a half ago, Julian had a track. But then Neil and I realized Lily was the newest person to come to the fort. She is going in blind with no stakes to anyone. She has no prior relationships. She’s pampered and spoiled and has a brother who is half Indigenous. She sees people struggling and tries to help. She sees the tragedy that’s about to happen.”
Interestingly, the action is grounded in the lives of two women instead of the traditional male-female balance.
“Both women are very gender non-conventional. Ekah is a very assertive, passionate huntress. Lily has a ferocity, and she is like her mother who is a leader. Both are very strong women that are unconventional for the time they existed. With Julian they form a love triangle."
Languedoc clarifies that the characters did not exist. They are historically based on cultural and social traditions from the 19th century.
“The play ends in asking what we could have done differently. We hope to challenge the audience’s emotions and we hope they become invested in the characters.”
Ticket prices are on a Pay-What-You-Will scale and are online at tickets.fringetheatre.ca.
