Production gives voice to women’s concerns

For Chelsa Reil, violence against women is more than a statistic. She has been involved in violent relationships in her past.

“Women are a part of this world too. They should be protected, not violated, not exploited,” said Reil, a young Aboriginal woman from the Nekaneet First Nation.
For the past three years, Reil has organized The Vagina Monologues, hiring all the cast and crew for the popular show.

Having an all-Aboriginal cast in this production is important to Reil because women in the Aboriginal community are three times more likely to experience violence than women in non-Aboriginal communities.
“It creates awareness that it can happen to anybody, wherever and whoever you are,” Reil said.

She believes that The Vagina Monologues draws more women to speak out and gain the self-esteem and courage to come out of abusive relationships.

This year’s production took place April 29, at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum theatre. The performance starred a panel of successful Aboriginal women including Métis author, poet, playwright, filmmaker and Elder Maria Campbell, who Reil has been trying for years to get to perform. This year, the timing was perfect. Other notable women on stage were former CBC Radio host Michelle Hugli-Brass, and Shauneen Pete from the First Nations University of Canada.

The Vagina Monologues, which consists of about 15 monologues, said Reil, draws more women to speak out and gain the self-esteem and courage to come out of abusive relationships.

Having friends and family who have been in abusive relationships pushes Reil to be active in the fight to end violence against women.

This year’s production has been met with positive feedback not only from the audience, but from the show’s cast. They have all told Reil they want to be involved in the 2012 production.

This version is an adaptation of Eve Ensler’s original production which debuted in New York in the late ‘90s. That show gave rise to an international non-profit movement known as V-day. As well, from February 1 to April 30, many V-Day-related events take place internationally to raise awareness and funds to organizations that aid women.

The proceeds of this year’s Regina show went to Hope House, a women’s shelter, run by Aboriginal Family Services. Organizations that want to benefit have approached Reil and are chosen based on need. 
  
Reil is currently planning another annual event that will take place in September called Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. During this event, men will don bright red high-heeled shoes and then go on a one-mile walk to raise awareness for violence against women.