Adapted Greek tragedy banned on Sask. reserve - Saskatchewan - CBC News

Adapted Greek tragedy banned on Sask. reserve - Saskatchewan - CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2011/03/31/sk-play-banned-first-nation-110331.html?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d9548b16d1de468%2C0

This banning of a contemporary interpretation of Shakespeare's play is akin the burning of books in the 20th century in Germany, where a people's voice was denied. The actions of these community leaders is completely unacceptable and the Canadian theatre community should hold these Chiefs and Band leaders accountable and demand immediate resignation of their community position as respectable community leaders
One would ask a simple question; why was the play banned? Reading the news story, it is because of the theatre company’s interpretative direction, of which these people in power did not like what the artists painted. And that is what we do as artists, we paint a picture of the world we share, scars and all, and people do not like the picture of themselves due to negative perceptions, then, the people in power must change and admit failure due to their past indiscretions, and learn again to regain the trust of the community they govern.
If the mirror artists’ paint is to close for comfort, then there is a ring of truth on the contemporary version of Shakespeare’s words.
And that is what we are dealing with here colleagues, friends and enemies, the power of the written word, the freedom to express ourselves in a democratic society. With this closure and banning of the play before it opens, these leaders’ actions are parallel to the actions of leaders in another time, where voicing one’s opinion against the people in power can have you imprisoned, shot, or just simply disappear. And of course throughout history we have many incidents where people in power abused their authority against artists, writers or others who spoke up against the social, political and economic injustices carried out due to abuse of power, greed and the corrupt actions of people in power.
And what do these actions by these so called leaders create in the minds of our children who live in our communities and have the potential in life to do great things for society? They will see that if they expression themselves in a view that is not favourable by those in positions of trust and leadership, that they will be punished. They may then settle with life instead of realizing their potential in life.
Perhaps we can look at these people who banned the play as insecure, subconsciously dysfunction due to the century of intergeneration colonial conditioning of Canada’s first people due to the residential schools abuses and assimilation policies of the 19th and 20th century, but I would basically say, that these people’s actions are due to not wanting to see the truth versions of themselves due to their abuse of power and control. Rather fascist in today’s society and void of any sense of dignity, honesty, humility, respect or grace. Let’s hold these people accountable