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About the Play
From the Kwantlen First Nation village of Squa’lets comes the tale of Th’owxiya, an old and powerful spirit that inhabits a tempting feast dish, full of beautiful foods from around the world. But even surrounded by this delicious food, Th’owxiya herself craves only the taste of children. When she catches a hungry mouse named Kw’at’el stealing a piece of cheese from her dish, she threatens to devour Kw’at’el’s whole family, unless he can bring Th’owxiya two child spirits. Ignorant but desperate, Kw’at’el sets out on an epic journey to fulfill the spirit’s demands. With the help of Sqeweqs (a raven), two Spa:th (two bears) and Sasq’ets (a sasquatch), Kw’at’el endeavours to find gifts that would appease Th’owxiya and save his family.
Like “Hansel and Gretel” and the northwest First Nations stories about the Wild Woman of the Woods, TH’OWXIYA is a tale of understanding boundaries, taking responsibility for one’s actions, forgiving mistakes and finding the courage to stand up for what’s right. The play integrates masks, song, and dance and features a diverse cast of characters of woodland creatures and spirits.
Show is appropriate for ages 4 - 104+!
Running time is 58 minutes.
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We believe that the things children learn now will guide them as they shape their future and the future lives they will touch. This is why we consider Th'owxiya’s teachings of community care and environmental stewardship important to share with them.
We see Th'owxiya as a rejection of self-focused modes of living and as an acknowledgement that the issues we ignore because we feel too small can be overcome through participation in our community. Through acknowledgment of the ways we have upheld eurocentrism, reflection on how our personal cultural contexts colour our perspectives, and immersion in Th'owxiya and its themes, we strive towards engagement with one of the true First Nations culture of the land we now call Canada.