Title
From Turtle Island: decolonisation through storytelling

Workshop description
In this workshop, we will explore legends, creation stories, clan names, cedar masks, sacred locations and how we use theatrical allegories to explain the intergenerational impacts of Residential Schools governed by the Indian Act of Canada. This interactive workshop focuses on the decolonisation of Turtle Island (North America) and how we bridge culture into the classroom.

Learning outcomes
Participants will:
Explore oral traditions from specific indigenous nations of North America.
Learn how to educate students about cedar masks, oral stories, living histories and cultural teachings.
Participate in interactive storytelling exercises.
Relate indigenous oral stories to their own unique family histories.
Use allegory to bridge culture and history in practical and relatable ways.

How will the workshop benefit the teacher in their curriculum delivery?
This workshop aims to dismantle western colonial narratives by including authentic indigenous voices and perspectives. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of Canada’s true history through indigenous performance art.

Target audience
All theatre teachers.

Dallas Yellowfly is from the Siksiká (pronounced: ‘Sick-sick-ah’) First Nation. He was born and raised on Coast Salish traditional territory in Chilliwack, British Columbia and currently resides in Vancouver, Canada. He is the founder of 3 Crows Productions, a unique group of Indigenous educational storytellers based out of Vancouver.

Alysha Collie is an artist, storyteller and educator from the The’wá:li (pronounced: ‘Soo-wah-lee’) First Nation. She grew up on Coast Salish territory and resides in Vancouver, Canada. She recently graduated university with a Bachelor of Science degree. She now focuses on decolonisation through artmaking, public speaking, storytelling and filmmaking.

Yellowfly and Collie are performing artists at 3 Crows Productions, a group of indigenous educational storytellers dedicated to promoting anti-racism, creating awareness of the intergenerational impact of Indian Residential Schools and helping youth strengthen their identities through mental wellness. They have performed in schools and theatres for over 10 years.

Event coordinator
Sophie Galton

Please note teachers should select either workshop A or B depending on time zones. And teachers must attend parts 1 and 2 of the workshop selected.

Workshop A
Part 1 Europe and Americas
Wednesday 14th July 2021
3:00-5:00pm – BST (British Summer Time)
4:00-6:00pm – CEST (Central European Standard Time)
10:00am-12:00pm – EDT (Eastern Daylight Time)
7:00-9:00am – PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)

Part 2 Europe and Americas
Thursday 15th July 2021
3:00-5:00pm – BST (British Summer Time)
4:00-6:00pm – CEST (Central European Standard Time)
10:00am-12:00pm – EDT (Eastern Daylight Time)
7:00-9:00am – PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)

Workshop B
Part 1 Americas and Asia
Wednesday 14th July 2021
4:00-6:00pm – PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)
7:00-9:00pm – EDT (Eastern Daylight Time)
7:00-9:00am (Thursday 15th July 2021) – SST (Singapore Standard Time)

Part 2 Americas and Asia
Thursday 15th July 2021
4:00-6:00pm – PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)
7:00-9:00pm – EDT (Eastern Daylight Time)
7:00-9:00am (Friday 16th July 2021) – SST (Singapore Standard Time)

The cost of this workshop is GBP £50 per person for ISTA members and GBP £55 per person for non members.

Any materials shared with you prior to the workshop, such as the workbook. A notebook and pencil are always useful.

Space requirements
If possible, please try to have a small amount of space near to you for any practical work.