Women of the Fur Trade

By Frances Končan

© Anna Heffernan
Indigenous arts Theatre Comedy
  • In-person event

  • English
  • Ages 13+

  • Approx. 2 hours
Performance options Start time Language Availability
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 11:00 am English sold out
Friday, January 26, 2024 11:00 am English Seats available

“Women of the Fur Trade...bridges history with humour, and a dash of 21st-century slang.”

Stephanie Cram, CBC
In association with Great Canadian Theatre Company, Ottawa, and Native Earth Performing Arts, Toronto
 
In eighteen hundred and something something, somewhere upon the banks of a Reddish River in Treaty One Territory, three very different women with a preference for twenty-first century slang sit in a fort sharing their views on life, love, and the hot nerd Louis Riel.
 
This lively historical satire of survival and cultural in-heritance will not only make references to historical events, themes, and figures such as the Red River Rebellion, Confederation, Treaties, Manifest Destiny, Louis Riel, Thomas Scott, and John A. MacDonald, it also shifts historical perspectives from the male gaze onto women’s power in the past and present through the lens of the rapidly changing world of the Canadian fur trade. 
 
This play provides a unique opportunity for students to activate prior learning to identify historical references offered in this contemporary play, and analyze how the intersectionality between culture, gender roles, and political beliefs shape each women’s perspective and experience differently. 
 
A study guide will be sent out to teachers prior to the performance. 

Artists

  • frances-končan
    Playwright Frances Končan
  • Director Renae Morriseau
  • Marie-Angelique Kelsey Wavey
  • cheri-maracle
    Cecilia Cheri Maracle
  • Eugenia Lisa Nasson
  • Thomas Scott Jesse Gervais
  • jonathan-fisher-2
    Louis Riel Jonathan Fisher
  • Fight Director John Koensgen
  • Scenic Designer Lauchlin Johnston
  • vanessa-imeson
    Costume Designer Vanessa Imeson
  • mj-dandeneau
    Sound Designer/Composer MJ Dandeneau
  • Lighting Designer Jeff Harrison
  • Projection Designer Candelario Andrade
  • Stage Manager Jackie McCormick
  • dylan-tate-howarth
    Assistant Stage Manager Dylan Tate-Howarth

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Learning and engagement at Canada’s National Arts Centre is made possible through the support of many generous individuals and organizations from across the country. Arts Alive is generously supported by the Azrieli Foundation, the Government of Nunavut, Canadian North, Calm Air, The River Philip Foundation, The Turnbull Family Community Building Foundation, and The Thomas Sill Foundation. Thank you also to Grant and Alice Burton, Canada Life, A Donor-Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Ottawa, Friends of the NAC Orchestra, Donors to the NAC Foundation's Future Fund, The Janice and Earle O’Born Fund for Artistic Excellence, and the donors and sponsors of the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust, the primary resource for youth and education funding at the National Arts Centre.