THUNDERBIRD NATIVE THEATRE  (TNT)

Dynamite Music, Drumming, Oral Narratives and Dance are the very soul of Native people. They ground us culturally and spiritually in the magic of who we are as North America's proud Indigenous people.

TNT is an expansion of everything that Teya Peya Productions does. Just bigger shows with more performers which translates to more fun and enjoyment. Everyone is welcome.

 

 

WHY WE DO IT

The power of humanity rests with the matriarchy. Women's voices must be heard if Mother Earth has any chance of survival. As the hearts of women beat so does that of the Earth Mother. Women are the strength upon which humans walk the earth - Women are "Home" - the drum, our songs and our stories celebrate that unified, peaceful union.

I love being able to tell stories from an Indigenous perspective, using as many artistic mediums as possible, while staying true to traditional Indigenous cultural integrity. The stories are TRUTH; the stories are HONOUR; the stories are RESPECT and WISDOM; the stories are COURAGE, LOVE; the stories are HUMOUR, PASSION. They are reconnections to the vital rhythms and currents of Indigenous cultures all across Turtle Island. They need you to LISTEN, UNDERSTAND, ENGAGE, FEEL and CARE ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR COMMUNITY, MOTHER EARTH.

 

ROLLING THUNDER

A 60-120 Minute Show features 4-6 performers bringing to life the rich and vibrant cultures of First Nations people, through the presentation of funny and dramatic stories set to contemporary and traditional music, and drums, drums, drums. The show moves with the rhythms of the ages and unites the past, present and future in highly entertaining and often hilarious ways.

Available primarily Evenings and Weekends

OTHER SHOWS AVAILABLE ANYTIME:
1. "Daughter of the Copper Shield",
2. "Thunder Rolling in the Mountains" (Drama),
3. "Spirit Thunder: First Nations Teachings, Drums, Vocals" for youth,
 4. "Sweet Thunder Medicine Wheel"  for adults and youth

 

 

PROGRAMME INCLUDES:

Concerts, Plays, Storytelling with traditional & contemporary music, Songs, Dances, Drums & Drumming Circles. Singers, Dancers (Fancy Shawl, Women's Traditional), Drummers, Moonstone Women's Big Drum, K'ool Gyet Hool Big Drum, Hand drums, Shakers, Acoustic  and Bass Guitars, Flute, Stories: Wolf, Raven, Orca, Crow Chief, Grandfather Cries, Wisdom of the Elders, Dream World, Apache Tears.

Special Programs can be created for particular events.

Audience Participation is a significant part of our shows.

 MOONSTONE WOMEN'S BIG DRUM GROUP  

Moonstone Women's Big Drum has been growing in popularity.  She's been invited to a number of events including: University of Waterloo powwow, Georgina Island powwow, Grand Valley Women's Correctional Institute powow, Dodem Kanonsha' Elder's Teachings and Drumming Circle, Niagara-on-the-Lake Friendship Centre Elder's Conference.
Just so you know, in terms of the powwows,  no resentment from the men, just good-natured welcomes. Times are changing in a good way. Our west coast songs blend seamlessly.

Recently, the drum expanded to include some really excellent women, not only as fabulous humans, but they also have "great pipes!" and willing to learn to sing in Sm'algyax, among other Native Languages.

DRUMMERS: Shannon Thunderbird, Kate Dickson, Sandy Horne, Chris Pohlkamp, Jenny Blackbird, Karen Bradley, Ojibwa Elder, Ma-Nee Chacaby, Rosemary Dyke, Louise Steinman.

The drum is available for events of all kinds. To book, contact me at: voice@shannonthunderbird.com

AT EVERY SHOW WE FIRST HONOUR OUR VETERANS

 

 
Coast Tsimshian, Erin Dickson, Fancy Shawl Erin, Kate, Thunderbird - Grand Entry Sandy, TBird, Chris, Kate - "Fancy Shawl Song" Coast Tsimshian, Kate Dickson, Narrator TBird, Chris, Sandy singing "Mahk Jchi"
Chris, Erin, "Eyes of the Wolf" TBird "Today" Cast "Women's Warrior Song" Cast "Peacemaker Song" Cast "Wishita"
         

 ORAL NARRATIVE

 In the time of my Ancestors, there was no logical, scientific fact to explain why the thunder rolled, why the tides came in and out twice a day, magic of  shooting stars and meteors, how light came to the world, why everything is circular and comes in four's, why Crow Chief was cured of his arrogance and the clams cured of their gossiping.  What here was, was the vivid imaginations of the storytellers as they tried to make sense of their surroundings.

These are just a few examples of the stories told in "Rolling Thunder". It was the responsibility of the Cultural Guardians (Elders, Medicine People) to weave fantastic tales of supernatural beings with human attributes to explain natural phenomena and the place of my people in the natural world. 

 MORE ON NATIVE STORYTELLING

 

COMING TO THE VOCAL - WE SING BECAUSE:

  • It is one of the greatest achievements we have created for ourselves.

  • It is the universal language of peaceful communication.

  • Song can be the cry of the heart, the transfiguration of the spoken word.

  • It is the soul's impressions that cannot be expressed in less spiritual forms.

  • It is beyond talent or art, it is basic human need to be able to express emotions in a way that satisfies the whole self.

  • For unity in communities.

  • For freedom to express honour and respect.

  • Because this is simply the way of it.

  • So, sing like everyone is listening!

"You can cage the singer, but not the song....Songs reach deep in the moments of our greatest anguish to lift our spirits." (Harry Belafonte, Singer, Civil Rights Activist)

 

 COMING TO THE DRUM

Message from the drum. “I am Mother Earth’s universal heartbeat & the sacred gift of Creation; I speak to all people equally & peacefully; I fulfill and create spiritual, mental, emotional and physical wellness; I am a powerful non-verbal form of calm communication. I am the pulse of the Universe and the ancient wisdom of the Ancestors. I heal disconnects as I sing the songs of all the brave tomorrows by listening for the hum between voice and drum.”

We Drum:

 

  • To hear its magic reflected in its power around us.

  • To hear Mother Earth's heartbeat move our consciousness into the inner worlds of vision, experience, and learning.

  • To go to the Dream World to meditate, rest and contemplate. 

  • To release stress, tiredness, emotional and mental fatigue.

  • To hear the teachings from the Medicine Wheel.

  • To find our power animals, and spirit guides that will help head us in the directions of inner reflection and connection or re-connection to those things that really matter. (Photo right, "Veteran's Honour Song."

  • To travel to the centre of Mother Earth, where we can spread our arms and feel the strength of the four great winds who have their roots in that magic place; where our spirits, minds, emotions and bodies become one with that which is greater than ourselves.

  • We drum because this is simply the way of it.


    •  The Thunderbird Native Theatre invites you to join in the ride as
    our collective voices soar to the Ancestors.

    The intent of these gorgeous, sacred objects Moonstone (left) & K'oolgyet Na Hool (Right) Big Drums  is to provide peaceful, easy feelings and experiences to people who play them, as they reconnect, heal and find their voices. My vision for  the big drums is to have people from all cultures come in loving, warm, supportive and elevating ways.  It is already happening and it is utterly fantastic!

    More on Drum Teachings

 

 COMING TO THE DANCE 

 

 

WE DANCE:

 

  • To feel close and connected to the Earth Mother.

  • To the rhythms of our hearts.

  • So the fire of life permeates our souls.

  • To celebrate our connection to the land, sea, forests, animals, flyers, swimmers, crawlers through copying their movements. For they know how to move softly in the world.

  • For freedom; it moves us outside the confines imposed by a wider world.

  • To laugh, to cry, to bring dreams to reality.

  • Because our bodies were made to do so. Snapping fingers, tapping feet, nodding our heads to some internal rhythmic debate.

  • To feel empowered. to crystallize our thoughts and emotions.

  • We dance to simply dance. So, do it like everyone is watching!

 We Dance because this is simply the way of it
 - Wilwilaayask, All my relations.

 

 

 WEST WIND AND THE WOODLAND SISTER

A hilarious concert of laughter, music, stories and audience interaction 

               

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.   

Using the dynamics 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 & K'oolgyet Na Hool Big Drums (when they can travel by van), shakers and Sandy's fabulous bass and acoustic guitars and Flute. 

 

TO BOOK ANY OF THE SHOWS:

VOICE@SHANNONTHUNDERBIRD.COM

 

"What joy you bring. What wisdom you share! We have been so enriched by your talents, humour and wisdom! You have started us on a journey that will be never-ending. How wonderful! Thank you." (M. Macleod, Limestone Board of Education)
 

“Chi Miigwetch for bringing Moonstone Big Drum and sharing all your beauty.” (University of Waterloo)
 

“Many thanks for providing amazing educational entertainment. The audiences were thrilled with all of you.” (McMichael Canadian Art Collection)
 

“I haven’t laughed this much in years. You & Sandy make a great team. I loved the Fancy Shawl Dancer & the big drum was magical.” (Audience member, Canada Employment & Immigration)
 

“Thunderbird is the first headlining First Nations performer to appear at the Imperial Theatre. We were really pleased to have someone of her caliber. Educating audiences through music and theatre is what makes this inspirational woman tick.” (Artistic Director, Imperial Theatre, New Brunswick)
 

 

"Squawk!"  White Raven calls, "Book a Show, you won't be sorry."

VOICE@SHANNONTHUNDERBIRD.COM

NOTE: TNT is available primarily Evenings and Weekends.

 
 

PROUDLY ANNOUNCING TEYA PEYA PRODUCTION'S NEW CD

"WIND CENTRE"  

 Contemporary & Traditional First Nations music by Coast Tsimshian First Nations Singer/Songwriter, Shannon Thunderbird & Singer/Songwriter, Sandy Horne (The Spoons)

 To order a copy of the CD, email Voice@shannonthunderbird.com

CLICK CD FOR SONG LYRICS AND OTHER INFORMATION

 

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VOICE@SHANNONTHUNDERBIRD.COM

 Note to Gentle Readers: Due to the almost mythical number of SPAM emails anti-spam software has been installed - be patient and answer the question from IPermitmail;  I look forward to hearing from you. 

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