Actors and young actors-in-training from Bear River First Nation (L’sitkuk) took giant puppets, costumes, and masks on the road the past few weeks to celebrate various summer events. The highlight was animating the two giant puppets created by Monika Wildemann of Wee Giant Theatre, “Glooscap” and “Summer”.

The first improvised presentation was to celebrate National Aboriginal Day in L’sitkuk. Staff Sergeant Phil Barrett from the Digby RCMP was happy to be the Glooscap giant puppet. Elder Agnes Potter and community members acted out the legend when our shivering ancestors of a continuous long winter asked Glooscap’s help to head south in search of Summer and bring her back to Mi’kma’ki.

The theatre troupe performed at the Halifax Multicultural Festival with their show called “Prayers of Passing”. This show began five years ago with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts. It is the enactment of Glooscap giving thanks for and remembering of all those who have come before us, including the plants, animals, and all nations of humans around the world. In the show there are moments of challenges, as when Bear and Human first meet and have to find a way to share territory, and again when the Humans are begining to let their egos get too large and they find themselves caught in turmoil until Mi’kmwesu comes to hand them a talking stick. Everyone ends in a round dance together before Eagle soars and Glooscap lifts his hands once more in th ...

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