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Video recording of A3, read by translator Donna Beach. From Act 2, Scene 5, character Marie asks Josette why she is upset and is considering leaving.
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Video recording of A2, read by translator Donna Beach. From Act 2, Scene 5, character Josette explains why she is upset and is considering leaving.
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J1 read by translator Jules Chartrand in French-Michif. From Act 1, Scene 2, character Josephine Marie is learning fiddle from her grandfather.
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Video recording of A1, read by translator Donna Beach. From Act 2, Scene 5, character Marie asks Josette why she is upset and is considering leaving.
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Debra Beach Ducharme received a Bachelor of Education in 1985, a Post Baccalaureate in 1996, and Masters degree in 2009, all from the University of Manitoba. Her work experience includes classroom teacher, counsellor, consultant, director and administrator at various schools in the city of Winnipeg.
Her passion is supporting her community through advocacy for revitalizing Indigenous world-views, languages and culture. This experience has enabled her to develop a solid background in human resource management, curriculum and policy development, accompanied by in-house training programs in restorative practices and reconciliation, conflict resolution and team building.
As board member with the Manitoba First Nations Resource Center (MFNERC), Debra Beach Ducharme was provided an opportunity to advocate for First Nation communities in forming a First Nation School Division. Presently, she is the Director of Indigenous Health Integration at the Ongomiiziwin Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. I work with the deans in five health colleges, implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and the University of Manitoba’s 5 year strategic plan.
She is Anishinabe and a registered member of the Lake Manitoba First Nation.
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Donna Beach is an Aboriginal Languages Consultant Contractor for Manitoba Aboriginal Languages Strategy. (MALS) She has been working with this organization since 2016. Her duties have required her assist MALS in revitalizing, retaining and promoting Aboriginal Languages for Manitoba. Her duties have included, working in collaboration with MALS Elders, professional development for Aboriginal teachers, conducting research and developing MALS Annotated Bibliography.
Donna has a Masters of Education and has worked as a classroom and Ojibwe language teacher as well as a School Principal and Vice- Principal. Donna has also worked as an Aboriginal coordinator for the four Ojibwe Bilingual classrooms at Riverbend school.
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Workshop, August 18, 2018 Winnipeg, MB.
Text by Suzanne M. Steele; music by Neil Weisensel.
1. Qui-est-ce aria (with Red River Jig).
2. Trio Riel, Black Geese, Marguerite (3:41).
3. Josephine Marie/Black Goose ending dialogue (4:30).
4. Riel Aria Take this Josephine Marie (6:00).
Performers: Rebecca Cuddy, Julie Lumsden, John Anderson, PJ Buchan, Melissa St. Goddard, Francis Fontaine, Alanna McPherson, Cary Denby, and Matthew Lagacé.
June Bruce, Lorraine Coutu, Agathe Chartrand and Jules Chartrand (St. Laurent, MB), and Verna DeMontigny (Brandon, MB) were our Michif translators. Debra Beach Ducharme and Donna Beach (Ebb and Flow 1st Nation) produced the Saulteaux translation.
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Julie Lumsden is a Métis actor hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, known for her “marvelous voice” and giving “smart, sensitive” performances (CBC Winnipeg). In May 2015, she graduated with a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba, where she studied under the incomparable Donna Fletcher. Some highlights of recent years include playing Minnie in "The Flats" (Prairie Theatre Exchange), Veronica Sawyer in "Heathers: The Musical" (Winnipeg Studio Theatre), Miss Spider in "James and the Giant Peach" (Manitoba Theatre for Young People), Eponine in Les Miserables (Rainbow Stage), Beth in "Little Women" (Dry Cold Productions), and Cinderella in "Into The Woods" (District Theatre Collective).
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Three excerpts from Riel's Heart of the North with Julie Lumsden singing "Ni mayagenimaak" [I find it strange] in Saulteaux, Rebecca Cuddy, Julie Lumsden, John Anderson, Peter John Buchan, singing "The Names" Chorus (at 4:14) and "I am Charmed by My Country" (at 5:33) with the Michif chorus (Serge Carriere, Lola Whonnock, Marlena Muir, Madison Mosher, Brianna Pirrie, Rebecca Chambers, Mike Chambers) and narrators Alanna McPherson and Francis Fontaine. Book and text by SM Steele. Music by Neil Weisensel. Translators: Donna Beach, Debra Ducharme, Jules Chartrand, Lorraine Coutu, Agathe Chartrand, Patsy Millar, June Bruce, and Verna DeMontigny.
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An excerpt of a scene from the first act of Riel's Heart of the North. Lyrics by Dr. Suzanne Steele; music by Neil Weisensel.
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Two excerpts from Riel's Heart of the North with Julie Lumsden and Rebecca Cuddy singing the duet "Ni Nakamoo Min" (We Sing the North) in Saulteaux and Michif and (at 2:36) the Michif chorus (Serge Carriere, Lola Whonnock, Marlena Muir, Madison Mosher, Brianna Pirrie, Rebecca Chambers, Mike Chambers) singing Apres Maachiwin (After the Hunt). Book and text by Suzanne M. Steele. Music by Neil Weisensel. Translators: Donna Beach, Debra Ducharme, Jules Chartrand, Lorraine Coutu, Agathe Chartrand, Patsy Millar, June Bruce, and Verna DeMontigny.
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Josette (a young Métis woman who has become Riel's companion) sings of her desire for Riel, while missing him when he is away at meetings. He tries to reassure her but is interrupted by the Black Goose of Fate, with whom he is involved in a life-or-death game of cribbage. Performers: Sarah Jo Kirsch, soprano; Simon Miron, baritone; and James McLennan, tenor.
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In this excerpt (sung in the Indigenous language Saulteaux by Julie Lumsden, soprano) Marie Serpente, a healer, sings "What strange mending is this, of the violence of men" as she sews up men injured in a boxing match. Composed by Neil Weisensel; lyrics by Dr. Suzanne Steele. Saulteaux translation by Donna Beach and Debra Beach Ducharme.
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In this excerpt, the Englishman (a rich bourgeois exiled by his family), who has hired Riel and his companion Josette as hunting guides, sings of his desire for the beautiful, strong and smart Josette while Riel is away.
Performers are James McLennan, tenor; Melissa St. Goddard, fiddle. Composed by Neil Weisensel; lyrics by Suzanne M. Steele.