Cowichan Women Against Violence Society is excited to share the results of their first ever Artist in Residence Project, made possible in part with a grant from Island Health.
For the past two weeks, with cultural guidance from elders William Chip Seymour and Rose Gray, as well as elders from outside Quw’utsun Nation, Fred Wilson and William Pierre, CWAV’s Artist in Residence Bernadette (Bernie) Trench-Theideman has led a giant puppet theatre workshop.
Trench-Theideman, hailing from Australia, has brought her extensive international expertise in theatre and film production to lead this collaborative performance and puppetry workshop.
Working together with local artists Shawn Johnny and Ryan George, along with a dedicated group of youth participants, the workshop has culminated in the building of a giant salmon puppet.
“It’s been a collaborative design process. Everybody has contributed to the artistic interpretation of the salmon,” said Trench-Theideman.
“We join these materials, people and conversations weave together into the fabric. It’s a representation of how we need to work together to tackle the big issues facing the world right now, like looking after rivers and protecting other species.”
The salmon was chosen for its deep and culturally central place within Quw’utsun life and culture.
This project took place along the Quw’utsun Sta’lo’ (Cowichan River), which continues to suffer from the ongoing impacts of industrialization, climate change, and colonization.
“When it comes to Truth and Reconciliation,” said Elder and former Quw’utsun Chief William Chip Seymour, “education is the way forward. Sharing our stories and legends like this is a way for people to know who we are.”
Over the past decades, the salmon run continues to decline as waterways around the province are depleted.
The presentation of this piece is an opportunity to unify as a community and bring awareness to the issues surrounding their decline, as well as celebrating the rich tradition of the salmon within Quw’utsun story-telling tradition.
“This has impacted our community already,” said Quw’utsun artist Shawn Johnny.
“It’s a great thing to start with and we can build upon what we’re learning here. There are many possibilities with the puppet. I think it’s a good starting point in Truth and Reconciliation and everything about our people and us as human beings.”
The public will have two opportunities to view the giant salmon puppet in action; at the 39 Days of July stage in Charles Hoey Park at 2:45 p.m. on Aug. 4, and at the Little Raven Powwow at 4:45 p.m. on Aug. 5 at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds.
