Issiah Bull Bear, Merewyn Comeau and Gloria May Eshkibok rehearse a scene from Laura Michel's new play. (Photo credit: CFJC Today).

By Stephanie Swensrude

WORLD PREMIERE

Drama exploring Indigenous language to premiere in Kamloops next week

May 25, 2022 | 4:10 PM

KAMLOOPS — Echoes of the Homesick Heart will be the next Western Canada Theatre play to run at the Pavilion Theatre from June 2 to 11.

The play has been in the works for seven years. Playwright Laura Michel noticed when beginning this project that many plays focus on the generational trauma caused by residential schools.

“I wanted to see what comes next,” said Michel.

“Living in my community with my family, and working for other organizations in Kamloops at the time, [I was] seeing each of the efforts that were being done in the community daily to preserve and revitalize the language.”

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Michel formed the play by interviewing people from all over the Interior.

“I did these interviews, not only in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, but in my own community of Sexqeltqin, Adams Lake, and all over the nation.”

“To hear those voices share that joined, similar experience, was amazing — to actually be there in the room with those individuals, sharing these stories and these memories of themselves.”

Director Eric Coates uses language himself to connect with his Samish heritage.

“[The play is] about how language really can be the core of a cultural identity, and just how fragile that is when the language starts to disappear,” said Coates. “And how resilient it can be at the same time.”

Michel hopes the play is a call to action for Indigenous viewers.

“There are people who are focusing on [language preservation], but we always need more,” said Michel.

“There’s always a necessity for more people, more resources, in order to continue this work.”

Coates says it’s poignant that the timing of the opening lines up with the one year anniversary of the confirmation of potential unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

“It was certainly fascinating — when we attended the memorial the other day, I was really taking notice of how often people were acknowledging language as a healing tool, as something that galvanizes,” said Coates.

Tickets are on sale now.