Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB), in partnership with the Vancouver Public Library, presents Expressions of Reconciliation: A Forum of Truth, Hope, and Understanding, Wednesday March 9, at 7pm at the Central Library, downtown Vancouver. The free public forum will discuss the legacy of Canada’s residential schools and their lasting effects on First Nations survivors, their families, and Canadians as a way to promote reconciliation for future generations.
Hosted by CBC’s Andrew Chang, and in anticipation of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Vancouver premiere of the classical ballet Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation, April 7-9 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, the forum will include a presentation by Tyrone McNeil, president of the First Nations Education Steering Committee, traditional First Nations Storytelling by Bob Baker from Eagle Song Dancers, coupled with a Q+A with Royal Winnipeg Ballet Principal Dancer Sophia Lee.
What: A FREE public forum on the legacy of Canada’s residential schools and their lasting effects on First Nations survivors, their families, and Canadians. Please click here to view a description of the event: vpl.events
When: Wednesday, March 9 from 7pm to 8:30pm
Where: Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level of the Central Library located at 350 West Georgia Street.
Who: Tyrone McNeil, president of the First Nations Education Steering Committee; Bob Baker, a First Nations storyteller from Eagle Song Dancers; Sophia Lee, principal dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet; with Host Andrew Chang, CBC.
Why: In anticipation of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Vancouver premiere of the classical ballet Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation, the public forum will promote truth, hope, and understanding for residential school survivors, their families, and for future generations of Canadians.
About Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation (April 7-9, Queen Elizabeth Theatre)
Having enjoyed critical success following its world premiere by Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Going Home Star
- Truth and Reconciliation is a deeply moving classical ballet of hope and understanding representing the many stories, both told and untold, by First Nations residential school survivors and their families. Ten years in the making, the production was first envisioned by late Cree elder/activist Mary Richard and RWB Artistic Director André Lewis, and was brought to life by award-winning Canadian novelist Joseph Boyden, acclaimed choreographer Mark Godden, and renowned Canadian composer Christos Hatzis.
Hailed as “the most important dance [ever] mounted by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet” (CBC), the powerful and emotionally resonant ballet tells the love story of Annie and Gordon - a young, urban First Nations couple adrift in a contemporary world of excess. The pair travels the roads of their ancestors, accepting the other’s burdens as they walk through their heart-wrenching pasts and toward the light of their future. Together, both Annie and Gordon learn that without truth, there is no reconciliation.
Going Home Star will be on stage at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, April 7-9.
Tickets from $29 (plus service fees) by visiting ticketmaster.com
Info: rwb.org/whats-on/show/going-home-star