Paw芒kan Macbeth, adapted by Reneltta Arluk, and inspired by the youth of Frog Lake First Nation in northern Alberta, is Shakespeare not only taken over but transformed.

ArlukSA国际影视传媒檚 adaptation of Macbeth, which toured various NWT communities in October, bridges timelines and casts light on the importance of love in times of challenge SA国际影视传媒� a rousing rebel cries meant not to divide, but unify.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was hired to go to the Frog Lake community to adapt the tempestSA国际影视传媒� says Arluk. SA国际影视传媒淎nd I went like, SA国际影视传媒極K, ISA国际影视传媒檒l do that, but I think itSA国际影视传媒檚 slightly problematic because Caliban is not the best character, and I donSA国际影视传媒檛 know how we could do that. So I started prepping anyways, but then I got an email from the drama teacher and he was like, SA国际影视传媒榃ell, we donSA国际影视传媒檛 really identify with The TempestSA国际影视传媒� and I was like, SA国际影视传媒極h thatSA国际影视传媒檚 good.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒楤ut we do identify with Macbeth because we want to explore the Cannibal Spirit, Wihtiko, as Macbeth, to talk about greed,SA国际影视传媒� the drama teacher said, and then I went, SA国际影视传媒極K!SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淏ut, you know, there is so much connotation to Macbeth and so much connotation to the Cannibal Spirit, I just went, SA国际影视传媒榃ell, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 just a lot of energy for a three week residency.SA国际影视传媒� So, I thought, SA国际影视传媒楲etSA国际影视传媒檚 meet with the Elders.SA国际影视传媒� So I invited Elders to meet with the students, and theySA国际影视传媒檙e working with Grade 6 to Grade 12 SA国际影视传媒� and just to meet with them and to share stories that they know about the Cannibal Spirit. And there were two reasons for that: it was to let the Elders know what we were doing, in a non-direct way, and to see if that was something they wanted to do, to talk about the Cannibal Spirit? Because, you know, in some areas it feels like itSA国际影视传媒檚 something in the past, or thatSA国际影视传媒檚 mythical, but in Treaty 6 territory, especially in Frog Lake, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a very real energy.

SA国际影视传媒淎nd so is it something in the past if itSA国际影视传媒檚 something that still feels present?SA国际影视传媒�

Asking and stating at the same time, Arluk pauses for a split second.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 parts, what I learned spending time there, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a Wihtiko Lake thatSA国际影视传媒檚 people still donSA国际影视传媒檛 really camp there, and stuff like that. So I just wanted to be sure we were being respectful of the spirit, being respectful of the students, and really wanting to share knowledge.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淪o, the Elders came and they had no problem SA国际影视传媒� they were like, SA国际影视传媒極h yes, sure, no problem, ISA国际影视传媒檒l tell you all the stories.SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒�

We both laugh out loud, knowing the wisdom and strength of Elders often overshadowing the hype, fear or superstition of youth, SA国际影视传媒渁nd they just started doing it, and it was beautiful, it was a story exchange between the Elders and the students. And the students were sharing stories with the Elders that they knew, and what you got out of it was this really powerful cosmology like, the students know their community and know their history and their culture.SA国际影视传媒�

Shakespeare and ArlukSA国际影视传媒檚 visions place a beautiful, powerful lens on the dangers of grief, greed, loss, hunger, pain, and the need in times of turmoil, as much as ever, for loving, courageous leadership.