Concert for Adults
West Wind and the Woodlands Sisters 
A hilarious concert of laughter, music, stories and audience interaction
 

                     Canada Employment & Immigration Union, Conference, Niagara Falls, ON 

   Japan       Durham College

First Nations stories, teachings, music and rhythm can bridge the cultural divide in a way that allows for the culture and magic of all Turtle Island’s people to be celebrated and understood in a positive, uplifting and often hilarious way.   Sandy and I always have a rollicking good time when we are in concert.

We use the dynamic combination of live theatre, music and storytelling. "West Wind and the Woodland Sisters" concert has the audience laughing from beginning to end. Enthusiastic audience participation is one of the hallmarks of this very popular show.

The concert is for adults, University, Community College students. It is an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary music, stories with modern twists, political and social humour, accompanied by authentic Native hand drums, Moonstone and K'oolgyet Na Hool Big Drums (occasionally), shakers and Sandy's fabulous bass and acoustic guitars and Flute. 

 This show is for all of you  who want to feed your soul, elevate your spirit, participate and laugh your head off!

Wisdom of the Ages: Great Circle Drumming & Medicine Wheel Teachings & a variety of other amazing & inspiring keynotes and workshops!

Click on Fire

(Note: Speeches, workshops, etc. are adapted to the
requirements of the event)

 DAUGHTER OF THE COPPER SHIELD
Two Actor Stage Show: Fusion of  Creation Stories in Musical Theatre format Including a glorious 'full orchestra' Soundtrack, Live Drums/Shakers.

“We have lived upon this land far past any living memory, deep into the time of legend. Come with Mother Earth and Raven as they bring to life some of the wondrous Creation stories and songs of First Nations people, as seen through the eyes of Noo Halidzoks (Mother Earth) who explains how the world was created and organized."

There was a time when Mother Earth lived in perfect peace with her mate Father Sky until the day they noticed a beautiful copper ball rotating slowly around them (Earth). Their hearts went out to this lonely place and it was decided that Mother Earth would leave her mate and make the copper shield her new home (Earth). She describes in song and spoken word how she brings it to life albeit chaotically. Raucous Culture Hero, Raven comes along to explain and brag a bit about his role in helping Mother Earth organize her new home. (60 minutes, including Q & A)

Most of the libretto is sung live to a professionally recorded sound track (recorded at Little Bear Recording Studio in Guelph, ON). I play the role of: Noo Halidzoks (Mother Earth-Daughter of the Copper Shield); Sandy Horne  plays the role of Pacific Northwest Coast Culture Hero, Raven. The music is a variety pack designed to appeal to audiences of all ages: pop, jazz, rap and semi-classical.  

The different musical styles show that  the ancient stories are as relevant today as they were sixty thousand years ago and work seamlessly with contemporary musical styles. Of course, there is also live drumming and chanting which satisfies the needs of the performers to be connected to the Earth and the audiences desire to hear it. All Our Relations.

EXPECTATIONS OF THE SHOW

• First Nations Creation stories speak to the world as being a circular Copper Shield out of which Noo Halidzoks (Mother Earth) created the present world.

• Introduces audiences to Medicine Wheel 101, basic Native teachings that govern most Native Nations. Great Circle, meaning of four directions, four colours of human, Four groups of animals and four groups of plants.....

• Addresses positive topics that include: themes of harmony, balance, courage,  wisdom, love, humility, sharing, caring, respect, honour and racial acceptance which were built into the original world.

• Addresses negative topics that include: bullying, racial discord, hate, jealousy, power over mentalities, destruction of the Earth.

• The show will seek to re-engage the audience with these teachings and help create dialogue  which, in turn, helps elevate the spirit and de-escalates bullying, jealousy and other angry attitudes.

• Breaks down stereotypical attitudes about Canada's First Nations with a reminder that we continue to play a powerful role on all levels: the arts, politically, socially and economically.
  
  In other words, the wisdom of the ages stories are as relevant today as when they were first told thousands of years ago

“Wonderful show. I learned so much about First Nations people. It just took my breath away.  Thank you for sharing the stories.” (M. Hopkins, Trail, B.C.)  

The show has been produced with grant support from the Ontario Arts Council. Thunderbird thanks them profusely for seeing the value in this very important presentation.

Thanks also, to Prologue to the Performing Arts. Thunderbird was the recipient of a 2007 Paula Award to assist with the production.

They are simply the best!

Thunder Rolling in the Mountains

Sandy & I have performed this powerful drama at conferences, theatres, conventions, festivals, galleries, museums, and workshops as it provides a profound insight into the importance and power of cultural equality and human diversity. Its main theme is about freedom as a basic human right and not a privilege.

It is 54 minute monologue spoken to a wonderful soundtrack. I play the role of White Feather (a real warrior woman) who returns to the grave of Chief Joseph of the Percé to recount their dramatic race for freedom in 1877.  Sandy plays the non-speaking role of Chief Joseph's Spirit.

Click on fire for a comprehensive description of this show

A Man Named Crazy Horse 

The life of the Great Oglala Lakota Warrior as told through the memories of his second wife Black Shawl. Sandy and I share the role as Black Shawl recounts her memories of her time with Crazy Horse. Spoken in the poetically rhythmic pattern of the old languages Black Shawl proudly speaks of 'her man' and the deep love she had for him as he fought to hold onto the his people's traditional way of life. (45-minute show, questions from audience are addressed at the end.)

 Black Shawl On Stage, Teatre Vastana, Sunne, Sweden

THIS & THAT

Thunderbird and Horne under the CN Tower at CBC singing live on CBC French Radio

 Leading a Singing Circle, Vision Fair, Stratford

Keynote Address: Seven Steps to the Colonization of Turtle Island's Native People, Conference in Niagara Falls, ON
 

TEYA PEYA PRODUCTIONS MAKE A HUGE CULTURAL DIFFERENCE & ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS:

• Break down stereotypical attitudes towards Canada's First Nations People

• Why storytelling is so important to Indigenous people

• Raise self-esteem, pride and strengthen personal identity for ALL people

• Create relevancy for ALL the world's people

• Elevate the spirit and create community among ALL people

• Understand that freedom is a basic human right, not a privilege

• Give voice to the words of the Ancestors

• Give voice to the exquisite magic of cultural diversity

• Knock at the door of knowledge and keep knocking until the truth is told

• Offer a world of possibilities and connections in a modern world

• Move audiences with the dynamism of Raven Magic

• Sing with the song of Orca

• Howl with the teachings of Wolf

• Identify and understand the meanings of symbols

• Educate about First Nations history, culture and spirituality in an often humorous way

• Honour, Wisdom, Caring, Sharing, Balance, Harmony, Respect, Love, Courage

For more information on the Shows, or to book them for your event, festival or conference, contact:

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