Every school in School District 47 will have students involved in Written as I Remember It, a play based on the book, Written as I Remember It: Teachings (ʔəms taʔaw) from the Life of a Sliammon Elder, written by Tla’amin Nation elder Elsie Paul.
Students from classes taught by first nations teacher Karina Harry will perform along with about 100 others. “I told them it’s a great honour, privilege and a legacy that they’re going to leave behind,” says Karina. “I’m very proud of them.”
Karina says the play is a reflection of what it was like for Paul growing up in a very traditional lifestyle and her experience in residential schools.
Jeannette Scott, a trustee with the school district, said she wrote the play thinking students could learn more about first nations’ traditional teachings through a live performance based on the life of Paul.
Paul’s story is also about the history and legacy of residential schools.
Ace Harry, 15, says she read the book and knows the respect the community has for Paul and how important her message is. “I know a lot of people don’t know anything about residential schools,” says Ace, “so it’s really important to get that information out there because people are really ignorant about this subject and it’s really tragic.”
Jaxyn Oele, 15, became involved to give back to the community. “The main outline of the play is [Paul’s] experience in residential school,” he says. Oele says he volunteered for the project “because it’s something to be done for the community.”
Along with performances in staged readings of the script, students will use song, dance, drumming and dramatic re-enactments in a presentation of Paul’s teachings; some material will be performed in traditional Tla’amin language.
Paul will also play her role and be present on stage throughout.
All proceeds go to the school district’s first nations students scholarship fund.
Written as I Remember It
When: Tuesday, June 21, 7 pm
Where: Max Cameron Theatre, Brooks Secondary School
Entry: $20 (children under 12, $5)
Info: maxcamerontheatre.ca
