Ndoo Tr’eedyaa Gogwaandak
Forward Together: Vuntut Gwitchin Stories
February & March 2019
In 2018 Gwaandak Theatre, led by Patti Flather and Leonard Linklater, partnered with the Vuntut Gwitchin Government to find new ways to share traditional stories and celebrate the Gwich’in language.
The result was a series of radio plays recorded in 2019 with both Gwich’in and English casts: Ch’iitsii Khał Datl’oo (The Blue Cruiser), Tl’oo Thał (Grass Pants), and Vah Srigwehdli’ (The One Who Survived), as well as an English language version of Shanaghàn Neekaii Nanaa’in Hah (Two Old Women and the Bushman).
Visit the full website, vuntutstories.ca, to learn more and listen to the stories:
Old Crow Community Centre - February 28th
After completing the Radio Play Production, Gwaandak Theatre hosted a feast as well as live play reading directed by Reneltta Arluk. Featured readers included Randel Kendi, Marion Schafer, Jane Montgomery, Tanner Coyne, Paul Josie, and Friends with Stage Manager, Léa Roy-Bernatchez, and special guest playwrights Reneltta Arluk* and Leonard Linklater*. (*Members of Playwrights Guild of Canada. Supported by Playwrights Guild of Canada PlayConnect Program.)
Ndoo Tr’eedyaa Gogwaandak (Forward Together): Vuntut Gwitchin Stories
CREDITS
Featuring Sarah Abel, Dennis Allen, Patricia Ann, Bonnee Bingham, Brianna Bingham, Maureen Charlie, Tanner Coyne, Clara Dionne, Darius Elias, Charles Eshleman, Sophia Flather, Donna Marie Frost, Dorothy Frost, Johnathon Frost, Christine Genier, Stanley Grafton Njootli, Paul Josie, Tammy Josie, Vicky Josie,William Josie, Ciara Kakfwi-Frost, Randel Kendi, Brandon Kyikavichik, Desmond Kyikavichik, Leonard Linklater, Jane Montgomery, Linda Netro, Nic Netro-Hendrie, Jeffrey Peter, Joel Peter, Marion Schafer, Briana Tetlichi
Elder Storytellers/Advisors | The late Sarah Abel, Richard Martin, Robert Bruce Jr., Stephen Frost Sr., and Joel Peter; & Others
Translators/Language Specialists | Ruth Carroll, Randel Kendi, Brandon Kyikavichik, Jane Montgomery, Joel Peter, Marion Schafer, Alestine Andre
Writing Team | Dennis Allen, Patti Flather, Brandon Kyikavichik, Leonard Linklater, Yvette Nolan
Directors | Reneltta Arluk & Patti Flather
Audio Producer/Sound Designer | Jordy Walker
Sound Assistants (Old Crow) | Tanner Coyne & Stanley Grafton Njootli
Youth Production Assistant (Old Crow) | Ciara Frost
Production Stage Manager (Old Crow) | Léa Roy Bernatchez
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Staff | Megan Williams (Heritage Manager) & Sophia Flather (Language Coordinator)
Marketing & Design | render – Kathleen Napier & Michelle Zieske
Gwaandak Theatre Staff | Patti Flather (Artistic Director), Jenna Winter (General Manager) & Siku Allooloo (Artistic Producer)
Ndoo Tr’eedyaa Gogwaandak (Forward Together): Vuntut Gwitchin Stories
Gwaandak Theatre & Vuntut Gwitchin Government present Ndoo Tr’eedyaa Gogwaandak (Forward Together): Vuntut Gwitchin Stories.
In partnership with Vuntut Gwitchin Government, we celebrate this UN Year of Indigenous Languages with live readings of Vuntut Gwitchin stories from Old Crow in Gwich’in and English with special guests Paul Kennedy of CBC IDEAS, Dennis Allen and Friends at the Old Fire Hall in Whitehorse!
This presentation is one component of an innovative multi-year project that honours millennia-old storytelling traditions and Indigenous language revitalization. Radio play production took place in February in the village of Old Crow, the Yukon’s most northerly community, with an outstanding team including elders, language specialists, award-winning director Reneltta Arluk, and audio producer, sound designer & composer Jordy Walker. The writing team includes: Leonard Linklater, Brandon Kyikavichik, Yvette Nolan, Dennis Allen and Patti Flather with Gwich’in elders and community members.
Two old women and a pesky bushman…a renowned dog musher’s first snowmachine…and more!
Ch’iitsii Khał Datl’oo (The Blue Cruiser)
By Leonard Linklater
Elder Advisors | Robert Bruce Jr., Stephen Frost Sr., Joel Peter
Storyteller | Stephen Frost Sr.
Translators | Jane Montgomery, Joel Peter, Marion Schafer, Sophia Flather
Old Fire Hall - March 28th-30th
Stephen Frost Sr., a renowned Old Crow trapper and dog musher, wins the 1964 Rendezvous sled dog races in Whitehorse, and brings home his first snowmachine – a blue Snow Cruiser. He learns that snowmachines might be faster, but dog teams will always get you there.
Stephen’s story is adapted by his godson Leonard Linklater.
Directed by Patti Flather
Tl’oo Thał (Grass Pants)
By Patti Flather, Brandon Kyikavichik, Leonard Linklater and Yvette Nolan
Elder Advisors | Robert Bruce Jr., Stephen Frost Sr., Joel Peter
Storytellers | Sarah (Joseph) Abel Chitze, Richard Martin
Translators | Jane Montgomery, Joel Peter, Marion Schafer, Brandon Kyikavichik
Old Fire Hall - March 28th-30th
A Gwich’in hunter roasting a beaver on a riverbank, minding his own business, encounters a strange trading party. This story of first contact between Gwich’in and European traders is full of misunderstandings and humour.
Directed by Patti Flather
Shanaghàn Neekaii Nanaa’in Hah (Two Old Women and the Bushman)
By Dennis Allen
Elder Advisors | Robert Bruce Jr., Stephen Frost Sr., Joel Peter
Storyteller | Sarah (Joseph) Abel Chitze
Translators | Ruth Carroll, Jane Montgomery, Marion Schafer, Joel Peter
Old Fire Hall - March 28th-30th
A pesky bushman bothers two clever old women, gobbling up their harvest of fish and rabbits. They show him what’s what and help to feed their people. This long ago story is told by the late Sarah Abel Chitze, a legendary storyteller, and adapted by Dennis Allen.
Directed by Patti Flather
Vah Srigwehdli’ (The One Who Survived)
By Patti Flather, Brandon Kyikavichik, Leonard Linklater, Yvette Nolan
Elder Advisors | Robert Bruce Jr., Stephen Frost Sr., Joel Peter
Storyteller | Sarah (Joseph) Abel Chitze
Translators | Jane Montgomery, Joel Peter, Marion Schafer, Brandon Kyikavichik
A man loses his people to famine. Heartbroken, he perseveres through much difficulty, harvesting fish and caribou, making a den to survive the harsh winter, with only Deetrù’– Raven – to keep him company. When spring comes, his resourcefulness becomes a gift to share once again. This lesser known long ago story exemplifies Gwich’in values that truly survive and offer hope for future generations.
While not included as part of the March 28th-30th readings at the Old Fire Hall, the original radio production of this story can be found at vuntutstories.ca.
CREDITS
Featuring Dennis Allen, Wade Kaye, Randel Kendi, Paul Kennedy (CBC IDEAS), Clara Linklater, Leonard Linklater, Jane Montgomery, Linda Netro, Nic Netro-Hendrie, Marion Schafer
Director | Patti Flather
Musical Director | Dennis Allen
Technical Director | Alex Robinson
Assistant Technical Director | Adam Pope
Stage Manager | RJ Smith
Assistant Stage Manager/Production Assistant | Andrea Bols
Old Fire Hall Venue Manager | Jess McNabb
Photographer | Erik Pinkerton
Thank you to our Partners, Funders, Sponsors, and Many Donors!
Partners: Vuntut Gwitchin Government; CBC IDEAS
Funders: Canada Council for the Arts; Yukon Arts Fund; Yukon Education; Yukon Arts Operating Fund, Department of Tourism and Culture, Jeanie Dendys Minister, with the support of Yukon Lottery Commission
Season Sponsors: Air North, Yukon’s Airline; What’s Up Yukon; Yukon News
Sponsors: Casey’s Bed and Breakfast; NVD
Hai’ – Special Thanks: Vuntut Gwitchin leadership and citizens, Kathleen Flaherty, Playwrights Guild of Canada, Yukon Education – First Nations Programs & Partnerships Unit, Jess McNabb, Paul Kennedy and Greg Kelly, Teresa Ward (Grandma Treesaw), Panago Pizza, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Hazel and John Bunbury, Carrie Boles
PERFORMANCE SOUND CREDITS
StormKloud Sled Dogs.aif by be-steele — https://freesound.org/s/128240/ — License: Creative Commons 0
branch breaking forest twig snap crunch.wav by kyles — https://freesound.org/s/452570/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Soft Wind by florianreichelt — https://freesound.org/s/459977/ — License: Creative Commons 0
MatchBox – Strike and Light 03.wav by JarredGibb — https://freesound.org/s/248241/ — License: Creative Commons 0
G05-21_2 Engine Prop Lands With Skid.wav by craigsmith — https://freesound.org/s/437818/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Musket Shot.wav by mlsulli — https://freesound.org/s/234869/ — License: Creative Commons 0
dog barking.wav by Tomlija — https://freesound.org/s/97392/ — License: Attribution
Dugout on the Niger river in Mali by felix.blume — https://freesound.org/s/174933/ — License: Creative Commons 0
river1.wav by Andy_Gardner — https://freesound.org/s/124733/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Face Slap by jmmcdona04 — https://freesound.org/s/161042/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Frying pig fat.wav by Lemodem — https://freesound.org/s/121582/ — License: Attribution
howling wind.WAV by inchadney — https://freesound.org/s/157204/ — License: Attribution
16 splashes.wav by soundslikewillem — https://freesound.org/s/343748/ — License: Attribution Noncommercial
Wind, Realistic, A.wav by InspectorJ — https://freesound.org/s/405561/ — License: Attribution
fish slap ground or snow writhing wet.wav by kyles — https://freesound.org/s/450830/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Splash by swordofkings128 — https://freesound.org/s/398032/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Splash, Small, A.wav by InspectorJ — https://freesound.org/s/416710/ — License: Attribution
Splash, Jumping, B.wav by InspectorJ — https://freesound.org/s/352100/ — License: Attribution
Creek 06 (loop) by VKProduktion — https://freesound.org/s/231536/ — License: Creative Commons 0