Plenty of laughter and love in ‘A Rez Christmas Story’

Welcome to another Kiweetnook Rez Christmas, where three Kohkums are always up to mischief.
“On the reserve, we don’t say love, we say luff” says a character at the beginning – and luffly luff it is, from start to finish.

Written and directed by Curtis Peeteetuce of the Sask Native Theatre Company (SNTC), the play uses four actors to portray nine characters, all bring the house down with their acting, lines, and physical comedy.
But the storyline beneath all the laughter seriously explores the many facets of love.

When the odd woman out in the love triangle at the band office needs consolation, Uncle Clem (played by Peeteetuce) tells her she always has “sakihitowin” (Cree for love). Because sakihitowin isn’t just about that special romance she’s looking for, it’s about the love of family and friends that always surrounds each of us, and the love that’s inside of us to return to our many relationships.

Once again, in a 2007 repeat of “Luff Actually”, SNTC and Peeteetuce bring comfort and joy to the Christmas season, even for the broken-hearted and the unlucky in love.
Besides an unlikely love triangle at the band office between Chief Richard (Aaron Shingoose), Percy Parsimonious (Lacey Eninew), and Wilma (Gloria Okeynan) - most of the play focuses on the antics of the three Kohkums, who are throwing a Christmas party at Seegoose Sinclair’s house. Kohkum Clare is into internet dating, much to the concern of her friends Seegoose and Zula who suspect the worst and prepare accordingly. Hilarity ensues, and the cast makes the 80 to 90 minute play fly with their quick costume and set changes and their energetic performances.

On opening night, guests gathered afterwards for a reception, and Gordon Tootoosis, on the Board of Governors for SNTC and a founding member, said a few words.

“I remember when we were making Big Bear, and got to talking how nice it would be if there was a place where we could do Native theatre,” said Tootoosis, who has led a long and decorated acting career, receiving many honours for his work. “So it is really great to be here and see how far we’ve come.”

SNTC not only provides that venue, but also takes their show on the road, to reserves and remote communities – “Luff Actually” is going to Piapot and Beardy’s, and possibly Sturgeon Lake – where the content is appreciated as much as the humour.

Gloria Okeynan is a visiting actor from Hobbema, Alberta, who studied in 2002 at Toronto’s Centre for Indigenous Theatre. She described her amazing journey where she grew, learned a lot about herself, and overcame her shyness.

“Drama helped me take a really good look at myself,” she said. “And the ability to grab your audience’s attention and take them with you – it’s an unreal feeling.”

Her first gig after graduating was Thompson Highway’s “The Rez Sisters” in Prince George.
“I love live theatre,” said Okeynan, adding her future goal is to do a movie. But for her, live theatre is actually the best, she said. “People see you and you get to take them on a journey.  You bring the characters to life and bring that out to people,” Okeynan added.

The challenge of playing the feisty old kohkum, Zula Merasty, and the lovesick, young Wilma, meant  Okeynan brought something special to each role.

“I remembered what it felt like, that first exciting crush, and the heartbreak,” Okeynan said. “Wilma is so loveable and innocent – she has so much love for everyone.”

“Playing Zula was “a ton of laughs… She’s such a troublemaker, Zula is the ladle stirring the rabbit soup,” she said.

And for triple threat Peeteetuce – writer, director, actor – what’s it like?

“Tiring,” Peeteetuce said while laughing.  With a 14 month-old son at home, for Peeteetuce life is busy, but good.

Photo caption: Saskatchewan Native Theatre’s Flo Frank (far right) joins (left to right) actor Gloria Okeynan, writer Curtis Peeteetuce, actor Lacey Eninew, special opening night guest Gordon Tootoosis, and actor Aaron Shingoose for an opening night reception of ‘A Rez Christmas Story: Luff Actually”.