No performing arts centre in Nunavut means Inuit play rehearsals head South
Rehearsals happening in Montreal, Kingston, Banff; play will showcase in Nunavut in July
Elders, actors and crew from across the territory are in Iqaluit this week to prepare for a major Inuit production, but won't be staying long — they're soon heading South to rehearse because Nunavut doesn't have a proper performing arts centre.
Kiviuq Returns, a play that explores the legends of a famous Inuit hero, needs professional staging and technology, as well as a large space to spread out, says Ellen Hamilton, the executive director of Qaggiavuut Society — the non-profit behind the play.
Since the territory doesn't have a facility like that, everyone involved in the play will be rehearsing in Montreal, Kingston, Ont., and Banff in the coming months.
Hamilton hopes rehearsing a Nunavut-bred, all-Inuktitut play down south will demonstrate the need for more support for performing arts in the territory.
"Sadly some of our greatest performing artists are only ever seen in the south because we don't have a performing arts space," she said. "We're hoping Kiviuq Returns shines some light on the real need and the potential of our Inuit performing artists."
While rehearsals are set to take place in the south, Nunavummiut can still see the production at Iqaluit's Alianait Arts Festival or while the play travels through the territory in July.
The story of Kiviuq
The play follows the travels of Kiviuq, who's known as an Inuit hero that overcomes many obstacles on his journeys.
Kiviuq Returns interprets these stories through music, dance and storytelling.
"They're all legends that are being told to us by elders who are living now, who remember these stories being told to them by their elders," Hamilton said.
"Kiviuq's journey and all the things he goes through in his journey to find his way home and all the various obstacles he faces can be interpreted as some of the obstacles everyone faces in their journey to find their way back to who they are."
Pakak Innuksuk, an actor in the play who's also a drum dance teacher from Igloolik, Nunavut, says theatre work is important.
"The actors will learn more about our culture and teach the young people about our culture," he said.