Production speaks out on violence against women

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In an effort to raise awareness within the Aboriginal community about violence perpetrated against women and girls, the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company (SNTC) produced three performances of The Vagina Monologues in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina on February 14, 17 and 20 respectively.

Written by Eve Ensler, The Vagina Monologues is an award-winning play about female sexuality. The Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company launched the production to coincide with V-Day Saskatchewan 2004.

V-Day is an international movement to stop violence against women and girls. Founded by Ensler, the V-Day campaign develops awareness programs and raises money to help anti-violence organizations around the world.

The all-Aboriginal cast of the SNTC productions included noted film, stage and television actor Tantoo Cardinal, actor, comedian and storyteller Sharon Shorty, writer, actor and teacher Carol Greyeyes and actor and singer Andrea Menard.

The Vagina Monologues, told from an Aboriginal perspective in this production, made its way to the theatre company after SNTC general manager Donna Heimbecker saw Cardinal in a production of the show in Calgary.

"Tantoo got together with Donna and said 'Let's do this. This a worthwhile project to do.' With that in mind, (Heimbecker) sort of went ahead and put this project together to raise awareness about abuse against women in the Aboriginal community and to raise money for organizations that worked in violence against women and girls," said Danny Fortier, communications co-ordinator for the theatre company.

Proceeds from the shows will go to organizations that provide assistance to abused women in all three cities. Benefiting from the fundraiser will be Harmony Song, a program created by Tamara's House in Saskatoon to help Aboriginal women who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse, Pakeeway House located on Muskoday First Nation and the Regina Transition House.

Between 300 and 400 people attended each of the shows. Fortier said audience response to the play from both men and women has been very positive. The monologues-including one entitled My Crooked Braid that relates to the Aboriginal community-were met with laughter and tears. What made the production more meaningful, Fortier said, was the fact that women in the communities had an opportunity to perform in the production.

"This was a very empowering project that allowed them to get up and tell the stories of the women in these monologues. A lot of them are very risque and it was incredible just to see these women get up and really take these monologues to heart."