Opera challenges traditions

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Two of Canada's leading theatre directors are using their Aboriginal perspective to reshape modern arts and dance with the production of Bones: An Aboriginal Dance Opera.

A workshop production, or a bare bones Bones, was presented at the Margaret Greenham Theatre on July 7 and 9 during the Banff Arts Festival. A full-scale production of the opera will premiere at the 2001 Banff Arts Festival

The production is the result of a collaboration by Sadie Buck, director of Aboriginal Women's Voices, and choreographer Alejandro Ronceria, director of the Banff Centre's Chinook Winds Aboriginal Dance Program.

"Opera is a medium to pass on our stories in new and dramatic scenes," said Ronceria. "In our communities, we have always had music and dance. It is in our genealogy of who we are and how we are suppose to be here on the earth. . . .It is from that, that we are working. We are telling our stories of the earth and reshaping theatre. The whole sophistication is very complex as to our song and dance."

The songs and chants within the three-act dance opera are done in a completely original language created by the directors with the combined influences of Indigenous languages worldwide, explained Ronceria.

"We have worked together for the last five or six years matching up ideology and concepts, studying languages," said Ronceria. "How dance and music fit together and how every note and sound has a reason for being there. We discussed why this is happening here or there within the musical pieces, what it means, and its effect."

Buck feels having a powerful effect on society is a key focus of their work, especially the work's effect on Aboriginal youth.

"I believe in our people and that this is who we should be and that our kids need to realize that we can do anything," said Buck. "We have to open those doors. It is a part of our lives, our cycle to do so. They have all the skills and culture to reaffirm and confirm that we can live the life that we choose. It is important for them on many levels, employment too."

The eight dancers in the workshop production are Iroquois, Ojibway, Pottawatomi/Ojibway, Nakoda Stoney, Nga Puhi/Ngati Tarehape/Mahurhure (New Zealand), Mixteco, Metis/Sto:lo, and Mohawk.

Dancer Corinna Hunziker from New Zealand feels Aboriginal tradition is always changing and moving forward and believes the production is about challenging that.

"For me tradition is keeping that respect for element and the past, however, you choose to portray that you can still keep an element of that sacredness," said Hunziker. "I think it challenges people's perception of tradition. I think it is giving them an initial taste of Indigenous cultures and it is a universal language that has been created. It is more about a universal Indigenous message, about cycles and earth mother. I think it gives non-Aboriginal people a different perception of our traditions and who we are as Indigenous people," she said.

Plans for the full production include construction of a full-size house. Dancers will be airborne on harnesses in some acts. Ronceria, who comes from Colombia, and Buck, of the Seneca First Nation, invite other Aboriginal dancers and singers to audition for 16 dancer-singer and four musician positions for the full production.

"The full production will be amazing with costumes and lighting. It will include everything," said Ronceria.