Ashtam Ntotacinan/Come Listen to Us: Theatricalization of Life Stories for the Holistic Wellness of Indigenous Women Students

Abstract

In Quebec, Indigenous cultural resurgence is expressed through all areas of creation, including theatre, which allows the expression of concerns related to identity reaffirmation and cultural reappropriation. In this movement, Indigenous women are particularly present in public space through art. As a path of resistance and resilience, artistic culture is an important factor of wellness for First Peoples. Anchored in a decolonial epistemology, this theatre-based research involves the implementation of a collective creation approach with Indigenous female college students. It questions the benefits of the theatricalization of life stories on learning related to the dimensions of holistic wellness. Faced with systemic obstacles resulting from colonization, Indigenous students follow atypical schooling trajectories, hence the importance of supporting them with culturally safe approaches based on traditional knowledge. Combining the fields of Indigenous education and theatre education, it is hoped that through this project, the narrative sovereignty of Indigenous women is strengthened and recommendations for the realization of culturally safe artistic educational projects with Indigenous youth and adults are provided.