SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
12:00 - 12:15PM
- Reception and Refreshments
- Live Music from Jeremy Kneeshaw
12:15 - 12:30PM
- Prayer
- Introduction
- Bursary Announcement
12:30 - 2:00PM
- Echoes of the Homesick Heart – On Screen
2:00 - 3:00PM
- Panel Discussion: The Role of Theatre and the Arts in Language Reclamation and Truth & Reconciliation
*Lobby art from Shay Paul and the Indigenous Resurgence Project
ECHOES OF THE HOMESICK HEART BURSARY
100% of the proceeds from this event will go towards this bursary, which reflects the principles of responsible communitybased research, it prioritizes community involvement and ensures that research initiatives create mutual benefit for Indigenous communities.
Rooted in reciprocity and cultural revitalization, the bursary aims to support Post Secondary Students pursuing Secwepemctsin Studies.
For more information about the bursary, contact Laura Michel - lmichel@wctlive.ca
ECHOES OF THE HOMESICK HEART On Screen
By LAURA MICHEL
and the present
Produced with support from NAC Indigenous Theatre
This is an edited recording of the Western Canada Theatre Production, filmed during two live performances at the Pavilion Theatre in June, 2022.
CAST
CHRIS BOSE Abe
ISSIAH BULL BEAR Sunec
MEREWYN COMEAU Emily
GLORIA MAY ESHKIBOK Bernadette
LORI MARCHAND Bernadette Understudy
CREATIVE TEAM
LAURA MICHEL Playwright
ERIC COATES Director
KIRK SMITH Videography & Editing
HAILEY VERBONAC Set, Lighting, and Projection Designer
BONNIE ACKO Costume Designer
JEREMY KNEESHAW Sound Designer
ANDREW KUSHNIR Dramaturge
KELSEY RAE Stage Manager
DONNA SHARPE Assistant Stage Manager
DANI FOISY
& DANIEL JEWISON Camera Operators
ASHLEY HIIBNER
& KENDRA MARTIN Lighting & Sound Technicians
JAMES BEFURT Video & Video Sound Technician
2025 SCREENING PANELISTS
JANICE E. BILLY
MEREWYN COMEAU
JEREMY KNEESHAW
LORI MARCHAND
PAUL MICHEL I Moderator
View the full program from WCT’s 2022 theatrical production.
Echoes of the Homesick Heart is a verbatim theatre project that tells a multi-generational story exploring one family’s connection and disconnection between language, culture, and community. In order to rediscover what was lost, and to move forward in understanding, each generation must learn from the other with the help of wily trickster and teacher Seklép (coyote).
Based on over 40 in-person interviews conducted directly by Laura Michel across Secwepemcúl’ecw, Echoes of the Homesick Heart shares stories of this land by incorporating lived experiences and the real-life voices of various community members ranging from youth to elders.
THANK YOU
TRU CURA
Thompson Rivers University-Community University Research Alliance
Canada Council for the Arts
First Peoples Cultural Council for financially supporting the development phase of the script
MENTORS
Marie Clements, Andrew Kushnir, Valerie Planche
INTERVIEWEES
Alec Christian
Anne Michel
Paul Michel
Art Michel
Chanelle Celesta
Clayton Felix
Colten Roberts
Darrell Dennis
Darrell Jones
Donovan Felix
Elizabeth Banks
Elizabeth Brown
Gabriel Archie
Jerry Jules
John Jones
Kateri Koster
Loretta Eustache
Seth Armitage
Martin Camille
Mary Fortier
Esme Parsons
Neskie Manual
Travis Christian
Tyler Christian
Tyson Thomas
Annie Williams
Bobbi Gallanger
Donna Williams
Dorry Williams
Julie Peters
Kathy Michel
Louise Alphones
Lucy Williams
Rob Matthew
Tony Bell
Yvonne Fortier
Kathy Manual
Lawrence Michel
Stacey Michel
Janice Michel-Billy
..and many, many more for anecdotal contributions
