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2019/2020 Season Weesageechak

Mark Dieter: Is money really the solution?

Hailing from Saskatchewan, the Saulteaux and Plains Cree actor and director, Mark Dieter, returns to Weesageechak for the second time as a playwright. Following RRAP, which was at Weesageechak in 2005, A Path of Ghosts and Warriors is a sequel which takes place on the same Canadian reserve.

The play is inspired by the current situation in Mark’s community, Peepeekisis First Nation, which is in its final stages of land claim negotiations with the federal court. “This play is a reflection of what I have seen and witnessed within my community in the last 30 years since we had first filed for our claim in 1986.” Exploring the effects of colliding interests, external influence and systemic change, we discover a community in the grip of reassessing its values.

Don’t miss the staged reading of Mark’s new play on Friday November 15th, alongside Zach Running Coyote and The Raven Collective representing Larry Guno.


Learn more about Mark Dieter

Why is Weesageechak the right place to present your work?
Native Earth has always been a great place to have new works developed and showcased for as long as I have known (since 1993). I have been privileged to participate in numerous festival events throughout the years as both a workshop participant and now as a playwright.

What kind of reaction or effect do you want your piece to have to the audience?
I am open to all forms of response, but I feel that laughter will be the one factor that connects everything; that laughter and the absurdities of life are important because they have been a part of our enduring legacy and our storytelling. I want the audience to look into their own communities and question whether the details of the plot are similar to their experiences. I want them to see their family, their brother, their sister, and all the people they know in their communities and ask themselves, “Is money really the solution?”

Where do you find your inspiration for your creative work?
My community, no question.

Who is your Indigenous role model? How do they inspire you?
My late father was a company man. He tried to provide a service and promote business on-reserve.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“You’re going to meet a lot of people in this business. Always keep one foot on your base,” from Tantoo Cardinal, 1993. Epicure Cafe, Toronto.

What are you craving right now?
The best development and support possible to make a better and marketable script for company submissions.

What is coming up next for you?
I have two other projects in development—Loaded which is an independent feature film, and an online web series titled, Kevin Stone. The latter project just had some recent movement with an interested company in Saskatoon who are looking to fund production.


Friday November 15, 2019

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