UPDATE: We’re sold out for the November 16. A new show date, November 17, has been added. Tickets are $15/seat for the November 17. Reserve your seat. Indigenous Studies Program will be taking payment at the door (cash only).
“The Mush Hole reflects the realities of the Mohawk Institute residential school experience and offers a way to open dialogue and to heal, through acknowledgement and honouring the spirit of Survivors and families that were impacted. The Mush Hole moves through the devastation of residential school with grace and hope for transformation and release. Opening a small window into the atrocities inflicted on 1000’s of Indigenous children, it attempts to close the door on historical amnesia. A haunting portrayal, weaves through memories of Survivors, reliving traumas, school life, loss of culture, remembrance, returning to find each other and lifting off of shame. The legacy of the Indian Residential School system and the continuing institutionalized extermination of Indigenous lives and culture is an issue that effects all Canadians.” Santee Smith (Producer)
The Mush Hole was created in close connection with Survivor testimonials and sharing, as well as the Survivor Talks at the Woodland Cultural Centre. The performance allows audiences to experience the emotional and spiritual impact of Canada’s history with the Indian Residential School system. The Mush Hole educates the broader public on the impacts of this history and ensures the legacy of the survivors will continue to spread truth and uphold justice.
Conceived by acclaimed Six Nations artist, dancer and director Santee Smith, in collaboration with Indigenous performers Julianne Blackbird, Montana Summers, Semiah Smith, and Jonathan Fisher. To bring the work to life, The Mush Hole includes the work of an incredible team of designers and composers.
Santee Smith will also be an Artist-In-Residence in the Indigenous Studies Program at McMaster University, hosting a workshop series during Fall 2018. This series will centre Indigenous processes and knowledges in an experiential “on your feet” approach aimed at activating creativity, body and spatial awareness, cultural performative practices and critical response.
Presented in partnership with Indigenous Studies Program.
The Mush Hole production is generously supported by Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council, as well as, Woodland Cultural Centre (Creation Residency), Art Gallery of Guelph (Production Support), Banff Centre for the Arts & Creativity (Indigenous Arts Production residency) and the Hnatyshyn Foundation (Santee Smith’s REVEAL Indigenous Arts Award) and for which she is supporting aspects of The Mush Hole; The Socrates Project (Production Residency).
