Saipoyi theatre production tells traditional Blackfoot stories

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on October 26, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Saipoyi Community School in Standoff, welcomed their students’ family and friends on Friday to enjoy a theatre production that was in the making all week, “Living Legends of Old.”
The school was divided into 10 groups, two in each grade and every group was in charge one performance where they would act out to share a Blackfoot traditional story with those in attendance.
Music teacher Carson Gugyelka (Aahssainihki – Happy Good Singer), said each of those groups were telling a Napi story, or a Blackfoot traditional story.
“They have been spending a lot of time practicing their actions. Some of them have lines that they have to remember in some of the acts,” said Gugyelka.
 He said everyone was getting involved in the production, from the students to teachers and school staff, along with artists from Trickster Theatre, who have been helping put the drama production together.
Among the reenacted stories there was Napi and the mice performed by Grade 2 students, The Revenge of the Bull Berry Blush! performed by Kindergarten students, Napi and the Rock performed by Grade 3 students and The Legend of Feather Woman and Morning Star performed by Grade 5 students.
“The Trickster Theatre artists learned what story each the group was going to tell and then this week they put the production together this week, it’s all been planned and completed this week,” said Gugyelka.
He said this production gave students the opportunity to learn new skills in the arts and drama, whether be acting or musical, as one of the groups was using a drum and this would not have been made possible without the help of grants.
“I applied for a grant to afford to have them (Trickster Theatre) come here. We got a grant from Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and it helped to pay for it. It didn’t pay for all of it, but it paid for a good chunk,” said Gugyelka.
When talking about how the idea for the performance came together, he said Trickster Theatre had visited the school in the past around 2013 and the school wanted to invite them back because it had been a good experience.
“Last time and this time, we’re accomplishing some connections with Blackfoot culture and language,” said Gugyelka.
 He said because of the Blackfoot connection among the stories, there was drumming and Blackfoot words shared at different moments.
“It’s given a great opportunity for all staff at the school to discuss with students about these important stories and to get more rooted and connected to their culture, so that it’s less likely to be forgotten,” said Gugyelka.
He added that the experience also helps student to remember the good things to be learned from the stories, remember their culture and follow it.
 “So that they can stay true and strong to it themselves and also be examples to others in the future of culture and language in the Blackfoot community,” said Gugyelka.

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