A 3 Crows Production
Presented in Partnership with Touchstone Theatre
The Cultch Historic Theatre | September 21, 2024
Indigenous storyteller Dallas Yellowfly brings the spine-chilling tale of Qwalena to life in this riveting multimedia performance and allegory exploring the history and far-reaching effects of the residential school system.
Yellowfly’s Qwalena is an allegorical creature representing the Indian Agents who stole Indigenous children from their families under the Canadian government’s aggressive assimilation policy. Blending oral tradition, multimedia, mature content and a bit of humour, Yellowfly delivers an unforgettable experience that examines the intergenerational impact of the Indian Act on his family and countless others across the country and how Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island are trying to break cycles of oppression caused by Residential Schools.
EVENT VENDORS AND ARTISTS
Ceramics by
Zoe Bradburn (Dreamt Delusion) – Plains Cree
Zoe is a multi-disciplinary artist with a focus in oil painting, writing and ceramics. Her study started young, taking classes from local artists in Squamish and Langley. Granting her acceptance in high school to the Langley Fine Arts, where she explored many mediums including fibre arts, book binding, calligraphy and more. Her art is heavily influenced by the unique upbringing she had moving around southern BC over 20 times, and struggle with her health. Often easily recognized by motifs of disembodied facial features, hand-written poetry and dark colours. Two conceptual series have been her focus these past years: “dream memory” and “medical mystery”. Both are intimate peeks into the artist’s journey through her 20s. Navigating perception and self image through the lens of a chronically ill girl. Zoe hopes to express that despite difficult circumstances we can remain soft, compassionate and continue on ‘for the love‘.
T-Shirts by
Vanessa Webster (Renovatio Creative Co.) – Nuxalk and Cayuga
Renovatio Creative Co. is an indigenous owned brand featuring accessories & apparel. A brand passionate about creating Indigenous, feminist & political illustrations. Illustrations & typography inspired by your favourite alternative band but with a modern edge. Stickers, pins, tote bags and T-shirts. Each Item is handmade in-house when possible. Illustrations, burning the silk-screens, cutting the fabric and sewing the tote bags.
Art prints, beaded jewelry, and more by
Alysha Collie (The Collie Collective) – Coast Salish
Alysha Collie is a Coast Salish artist from the Soowahlie First Nation.
She works at 3 Crows Productions as an Indigenous Educational Storyteller and Filmmaker. 3 Crows Productions is dedicated to educating the future generations of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members through presentations, live theatre performances and documentary filmmaking.
Alysha runs her own company called The Collie Collective (@Collie.Collective on Instagram) where she focuses on decolonization and reclaiming her ancestral roots through her beaded jewelry, Salish art and weavings.
In partnership with Tightrope Theatre over two years, Alysha has raised over $3,500 for local Indigenous non-profits who support healing initiatives for the multi-generations that have been affected by the Residential School system in some of the most underserved parts of Vancouver.
When Alysha is not working, you can usually find her creating art beside her cat or nestled in the living room of her grandparent’s house.
Music by
Lola Whyte – Plains Cree
Lola, also known as Woman Who Sings With the Clouds, is a Queer Plains Cree First Nations and Italian recording artist based out of Squamish, BC. Originally a professional dancer, Lola transitioned from the entertainment industry to the music industry in 2015 with the creation of the Canadian band, Old Soul Rebel. Having successfully released 3 singles and an EP under said project, Lola is set to release her first solo album in 2024/2025. Her sound is a combination of electronic music, pow wow, and rock n roll.