Play about wild rice conflicts coming to Market Hall
Cottagers and Indians written by author Drew Hayden Taylor
A play about the wild rice conflicts in the Kawarthas will be featured at Market Hall at the end of the month.
Cottagers and Indians is running Nov. 28 and 29 at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. It was written by
Curve Lake First Nation playwright and author Drew Hayden Taylor.
The piece is based on the tensions that piqued between Indigenous wild rice harvesters and home and cottage owners on Pigeon Lake.
Although Indigenous people are legally allowed to harvest wild rice, some residents in the area object, saying the rice is so thick they can’t navigate their boats.
In 2015, permits were issues to certain residents to remove rice from the lake, which really stirred things up.
The issue continues to make waves today. More than 300 home and cottage owners attended a meeting in Ennismore Saturday to discuss the spread of wild rice.
Cottagers and Indians premiered at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre last year. It also ran in Bobcageon at Lakeview Arts Barn at the end of October.
The play features Herbie Barnes as the harvester and Brooke Johnson as the cottager and is followed by a Q and A with the artists.
Before the Cottagers and Indians runs at Market Hall, there’s a free public talk about the play at the theatre on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Taylor will be in attendance along with elder Doug Williams and local rice harvester James Whetung. The discussion will be moderated by Anne Taylor, Anishinaabemowin co-odinator for Curve Lake First Nation.
Cottagers and Indians is presented by Public Energy.
Tickets are $30 per person, $20 for students, seniors and lowincome residents and $8 for high school students. They’re available at www.markethall.org