PROLOGUE TO THE PERFORMING ARTS

DATES AVAILABLE FOR REST OF 2008 SCHOOL YEAR - BOOK NOW!

SCHOOL VISITS ARE BOOKED PRIMARILY THROUGH:
PROLOGUE TO THE PERFORMING ARTS (Toronto, ON)

Telephone: 416-591-9092 * Fax: 416-591-2023

URL: www.prologue.org Email: info@prologue.org

Outside Toronto and 905 area	Stephanie: Ext. 225
Toronto	Mary Beth: Ext: 224
National and International, Special Requests	Susan: Ext. 223

STAGE AND INTERACTIVE SHOWS

Shannon and Sandy travel the world bringing First Nations educational entertainment to schools of all kinds (Grade 3-12): Public, Catholic, Hebrew, Private, Community Colleges, Universities.

Teya Peya's shows are suitable for: Native Studies, History, Dramatic Arts, Music, Theatre, Art, Politics, Social Studies, World Religions, Law, Nursing, Social Work, Criminology, Sociology, Police Training. Classes benefit from Thunderbird's knowledge and the entertaining way in which she dispenses it!

Thunderbird's performances, seminars, speeches and teachings are geared to the specific grade requested. She uses a combination of lively interaction with her audience, the dynamics of live theatre, storytelling, songs, drums and shakers.

Her teachings include correct: definitions, historical information and facts, contemporary social and political issues all illustrated by dramatic and humorous stories. Students have a lot of fun learning to drum on authentic Native hand drums and shakers as well as learning songs some of which are in the original Indigenous languages including: Sm’algyax, Seneca, Mohawk, Lakota and Ojibwa.

IMPORTANT NOTE IMPORTANT NOTE

Ms Thunderbird also creates special presentations should a school or other venue have a particular Indigenous theme they wish addressed.

Thunderbird is a Speaker and Educator on most things First Nations. Her performances meet Canadian curriculum requirements for units in Native Studies. As a result, she is a much in demand speaker and performer at educational institutions all across Canada.

DAUGHTER OF THE COPPER SHIELD
(Formerly Stories of Noo Halidzoks)

Available for SUMMER 2008 AND 2008-09 touring season

Two Actor Stage Show: Fusion of Creation Stories in Musical Theatre format Including Soundtrack and 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. 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, Grade 4 up)

Daughter of the Copper Shield is a broader and more vibrant adaptation of Stories of Noo Halidzoks (Mother Earth) which has been touring successfully with Prologue for nine years. Instead of all spoken word with a few songs, most of the libretto will be sung live to a professionally recorded sound track (recorded at Little Bear Recording Studio in Guelph, ON). Thunderbird continues to 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 on accompanying soundtrack is a variety pack: pop, jazz, rap and semi-classical.

This new version will definitely enhance the First Nations programming experience currently offered by Prologue. Moreover, Copper Shield fulfills Canadian Native Studies requirements and provides an important link because it is told from an Indigenous point of view which is vital for an accurate understanding of who we are as Turtle Island's (North America) Original People.

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 and Raven helped organize it.
Introduces students to basic Medicine Wheel teachings that govern most Native Nations. These teachings include 'Medicine Wheel 101’: the great circle, meaning of four directions, four colours of human, Four groups of plants, four groups of animals.......
Addresses positive topics that include: emphasis on the themes of harmony, balance, humility, courage, wisdom, love, respect, sharing, caring, generosity, honour and racial acceptance which were built into the original world.
Addresses negative topics that include: bullying, racial discord, hate, jealousy, power over mentalities.
The show will seek to re-engage the audience with these teachings and help create dialogue in classes which, in turn, emphasizes character education and helps elevate the spirit by de-escalating bullying, jealousy and other angry attitudes in schools.
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.
Continues to fulfill curriculum focus and expectations listed in the current Prologue calendar.

In other words, what the world calls 'character education', First Nations People call 'Medicine Wheel Teachings'. There is nothing new under Grandfather Sun, 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.)

15 second video clip from original show, Stories of Noo Halidzoks

Students have the opportunity at the end of the performance to ask questions.
(50-60 minute show)

NOTE 1: Audience maximum of 250 is strictly adhered to
Note 2: For best effect, a STAGE is the preferred space for this show
Note 3: Show suitable for grades 3-12

This new 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!

WISDOM OF THE AGES: GREAT CIRCLE DRUMMING & stories
(2+ performers)

Message from the drum: “I am Mother Earth’s universal heartbeat and the sacred gift of Creation; I speak to all people equally and peacefully; I create spiritual, mental, emotional and physical wellness; I am a powerful non-verbal form of calm communication; I am the ancient wisdom of the Ancestors.” Students will sing and learn drum rhythms in the truly interactive manner of a Native social gathering using authentic Native hand drums and shakers. ‘Show and Tell’: Students handle and hear mesmerizing stories that explain a variety of artifacts and sacred objects (i.e., medicine wheel, medicine shield, dreamcatcher, turtle, animal furs). The show is exhilarating, fun and highly educational.

Note 1: Audience maximum of 70 is strictly adhered to
Note 2: A LARGE OPEN SPACE (such as a Gym) is the preferred space for this show
Note 3: Show suitable for grades 4-12

Click for adult version of this show

"We always are deeply moved by your words of wisdom, your stories and your songs. You enrich, inspire and enlighten wherever you go! Many thanks for honouring us today."
(A. Wilde, Drama Teacher/Librarian)

THUNDER ROLLING IN THE MOUNTAINS
(2 Actors)

Their Story (briefly)

In-who-Lise and Chief Joseph

Joseph's people are more commonly known as Nez Percé (meaning "pierced nose"). Their preference, as is the case with all Native people, is to be known by their original name and not something imposed by others - Nimi-ipuu (People of the Hearts Blood).

ELDER IN-WHO-LISE SPEAKS: "Horses galloping, guns firing, women wailing, freezing winds blowing are just some of the dramatic sound effects that punctuate the drama of the historic flight of my people, the Nez Percé. In 1877, led by our great spiritual leader, Chief Joseph and his Warrior Chief brother, Oolikut, we embarked on an 1800 mile race for freedom as we tried to escape the United States cavalry. We were desperately trying to seek refuge in Grandmother's Land (Canada). Come and listen as I visit the grave of one of my people's greatest leaders to tell my story about the immense courage of my people who, in the face of overwhelming odds, kept our spirits strong and fought hard for our freedom. Perhaps if you listen closely, you will hear the voice of Chief Joseph....."

YOUNG IN-WHO-LISE SPEAKS: "This story is an accurate historical record of the flight of my people and is representative of many such stories suffered by virtually all Indigenous people who, after the Battle of 1812, were seen as impediments to progress and harshly and tragically moved aside. As a result, there was a relatively quick "changing of the guard" as the supremacy of European colonialism regarding ownership, racism and conquering took hold in North America. I fought hard, my people fought hard for their freedom, we never gave up. This story is a vital component to the understanding of North America's post-European Indigenous history. It is also for anyone who believes that freedom is a basic human right not a privilege. Come and listen to the story."

SHOW PERFORMED TO A DYNAMIC SOUNDTRACK !!

"You kept an audience of nine hundred students mesmerized with your portrayal as White feather."
(M. Moore, Imperial Theatre, Saint John, NB)

WHY TELL JOSEPH'S STORY AT ALL?

The show has been written for audiences who are for the most part unfamiliar with 'real' Native History and wish to be educated. Books, text books, movies, television, often with their stereotypical images of Native life, do not speak of such stories, for to do so would humanize a people upon whose backs Turtle Island was settled. It is far easier to objectify Native people so that disease, fall of the matriarchy, food, land appropriation, residential school, the imposition of Christianity and the Indian Act could all be justified in unconscionable ways.

The show offers an unflinching look at one story of thousands of such stories that have defined the post-European contact history of Native people. The show is meant to be a teaching aid and is performed using a combination of artistic expression and historical fact.

The show does not pose questions, offer counterpoint or new insight, this is not the intention. Revisionist history has no place in the telling of a factual story about an actual historical event.

Moreover, the intention is not to exacerbate stereotypical images of Natives as victims and Whites as antagonists, but rather to shed a light upon important actual events that have been relegated to the back burners of North American history.

Question: Do we really need to revisit these old stories?
Answer: Should we tell the Jews, Stalin's Russians and the Rawandans that they have to move on and not revisit a history that has fundamentally re-defined them through oppression, massacres and loss of culture? Of course not, why, then should Native people's six-hundred year holocaust be treated any differently?

We NEED to come to grips with the fact that greed, bullying, cowardice and power-over mentalities whether they be in boardrooms or school yards exact unbelievable human cost. We, as a global people continue to do this today as the misery taking place all over Mother Earth continues to haunt us (Haiti, Iraq, Rawanda, Spain, Israel, Palestine, Serbia, Bosnia, South America, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mexico and on and on.....). Joseph's story is as relevant today as when it first happened in 1877. No one wins, no good can ever come from mindless aggression.

Sandy as the Spirit of Chief Joseph

Finally, this story is for anyone who believes that freedom is a basic human right AND NOT a privilege.

OLIKUT

WHY A DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE?

Thunderbird is first and foremost a Singer and Storyteller. The manner in which it is performed is based on her heritage. That is, the story/music/dance dramas of the Feast tradition of the Northwest coast. With no written language, and from ages past to the present, these dramas sought to ground the people in their history. The performances were hugely successful in combining history, music and theatre into one dramatic production. Thunderbird seeks to continue this honour-bound tradition with a modern addition of a soundtrack.

The show is performed live to a dramatic soundtrack.

"THUNDER" has been wonderfully received in the theatres, schools and a variety of festivals and conferences. Thunderbird applauds the bravery of those individuals and organizations who enhanced their events by wanting to know more about a grievous time in American Indigenous history. (65 minute show)

Note 1: Audience maximum of 250 is strictly adhered to
Note 2: A STAGE is REQUIRED for this show
Note 3: Show suitable for grades 6-12

“

SONGS OF THE AGES MUSIC WORKSHOP
(2 Facilitators Thunderbird and Horne)

The workshop is for adventurous students who want to learn something new and different and expand their appreciation of Canada’s original people and for educators who are interested in integrating indigenous music into their programs.

Workshop is minimum two hours. Students first learn about Indigenous music and its importance to Native cultures. They then create their own song using the methods that have stood Native people in good stead for thousands of years. Thunderbird refers to it as ‘Indigenous soundscaping in four part harmony!” Once students have created the tune and describe what they were feeling at the time, words and a title are added and subsequently translated into Sm’algyax (Tsimshian language) by Thunderbird. The students then perform the song in the original language to drums, shakers, and Moonstone Women’s Big Drum.

Note 1: Maximum participants 40
Note 2: Price negotiated in consultation with Prologue and Performer
Note 3: Where applicable, fee does not include travel, per diem & accommodation (outside GTA)

MAKE THUNDERBIRD PART OF YOUR NATIVE STUDIES CURRICULUM, TEACHER TRAINING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY OR OTHER EDUCATION EVENT !!

An understanding of First Nations History and Culture are critical components in any educational experience because it offers insight into North America's very foundation . Teya Peya's shows are suitable for Canadian Native Studies programmes.

Curriculum Workshops: Ontario Public School System, Grades 3 - 8
Curriculum Workshops: Ontario Secondary School System, Grades 9 - 12

Information on Education Workshop

"Thank you so much for your presentation to the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Aboriginal Education Summer Academy. Your expertise and passion influences our teachers and reaches our students, ultimately." (K. Makin, ETFO)

FOCUS AND EXPECTATIONS

Shows help to re-define Canada's Native Studies curriculum by offering a First Nations perspective on our own history and culture.
Self-esteem, pride, personal identity for ALL people.
Freedom is a basic human right, not a privilege for ALL people.
Identification and meaning of First Nations symbols.
Understanding that the Oral Narrative is the 'cultural grounding' of North America's Indigenous people.
Addresses pre- and post-European contact issues in the Ontario Native Studies curriculum, in particular, grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12.
Addresses the importance of Music and Theatre to the overall cultural grounding of Indigenous Cultures.
Creates relevancy for ALL humans.
Offers a world of possibilities and connections for ALL humans.
Moves with the dynamism of Raven Magic.
Sings with the song of Orca.
Howls with the teachings of Wolf.
Gives voice to the words of the Ancestors.
Gives voice to the exquisite magic of cultural diversity.
Helps break down stereotypical attitudes towards Canada's First Nations People.
Addresses issues of racism, equality, balance. dignity and respect for the inter-connectedness of all living things

Thunderbird and Chris McKhool, Laura Bird - Mishkeegogamang

McMichael - March Break

This Column - On Tour with Great Circle Drumming: Goderich, Stratford, Clinton, Zurich, Sebringville, Mitchell, Exeter, Brucefield, Wingham, Gorrie, Blyth, Seaforth, Belgrave, Brussels, Lucknow, St.Marys, Atwell, Listowel, Newton)