God’s Lake

Truth and the need for reconciliation come into sharp focus in God’s Lake, a Castlereigh Theatre Project appearing February 5-8 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby.

In this vivid, original work of verbatim, documentary theatre, audiences bear witness to the strength and resilience of the people in the remote fly-in reserve of God’s Lake Narrows, Manitoba following traumatic events of unresolved justice and a complex and challenging past. Co-created by playwright Francesca Albright and award-winning Swampy Cree filmmaker Kevin Lee Burton, the play explores how God’s Lake Narrows was impacted by the violent death of a 15-year-old girl in their community.

The result is a glimpse into the lived reality of the people of God’s Lake Narrows told verbatim from the interviews. Under the direction of Britt Small of Atomic Vaudeville, four young Indigenous performers from across Canada portray twenty-four characters across different genders, ages, and community roles.

Using bold northern imagery, an original live score by Ziibiwan + Melody McKiver and heightened physicality, God’s Lake offers a rare opportunity to witness the complex issues facing people living in a remote community and provides an understanding for those who might have no awareness of the reserve system, let alone what it’s like to live on a remote First Nations reserve.

“It’s time to shine a light on systemic issues and to listen for a while,” says Small.