A unique mashup of stories and songs that explores the nativity with a messy but joyful hope. This is a live recording of our Christmas Presence event which took place on December 10, 2022

Featuring performances by Tim Bratton**, Louise and Shane Buhler of Sunday Morning Riot, Darryl Dozlaw, Andrea Folster, Wyndham Thiessen, Louise Halfe, and Stephen Waldschmidt!

Gratefully created on Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis.

Subscribe or follow so you don't miss an episode. See artist bios, upcoming episodes, and support our work with a donation at www.burntthicket.com.

Full Track Listing:

1. Reading - Welcome
2. Reading - The Vexation of Barney Hatch (Part 1) by B.J. Chute, read by Tim Bratton**
3. Song - Tiny Little King by Wyndham Thiessen
4. Reading - A Reflection by Stephen Waldschmidt
5. Song - In the Bleak Midwinter - Words by Christina Rossetti, Music by Gustav Holst, Sung by Louise Buhler
6. Reading - A Reflection by Andrea Folster
7. Song - Hard Candy Christmas by Carol Hall, Sung by Louise Buhler
8. Reading - The Vexation of Barney Hatch (Part 2) by B.J. Chute, read by Tim Bratton**
9. Song - A New Song by Wyndham Thiessen
10. Reading - Reflection and 2 Poems "Kindness Marks the Advent" & "Landscape of the Heart" by Louise Halfe
11. Song - Christmas Socks by Darryl Dozlaw
12. Reading - The Vexation of Barney Hatch (Part 3) by B.J. Chute, read by Tim Bratton**
13. Song - Blue Bells by Darryl Dozlaw
14. Reading - Unease by Scott Erickson (From his book Honest Advent), read by Stephen Waldschmidt
15. Song - O Day of Peace by Carl P. Daw, sung by Louise Buhler
16. Reading - Longest Night Prayer by Carol Penner (leadinginworship.com), adapted and read by Andrea Folster
17. Song - Peace on Earth by U2, sung by Darryl Dozlaw
18. Reading - The Vexation of Barney Hatch (Part 4) by B.J. Chute, read by Tim Bratton**
19. Song - Light of the World by Lauren Daigle, sung by Louise Buhler
20. Reading - Thanks & Goodbye

*Unless otherwise indicated the works here are original creations belonging to the artists

**The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT), and under ACTRA's National COVID-19 Response Initiative.

Free to stream on-demand on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, with English subtitles/closed captions available on our YouTube channel.

This project is made possible by our major sponsors Shercom Industries, SK Arts, and Creative Saskatchewan.

A conversation with the artists who created Land: playwright Stephen Waldschmidt, director Kenn McLeod*, dramaturg Yvette Nolan, actors Kent Allen*, Louise Halfe, Lancelot Knight, and Abbey Thiessen, sound designer Tim Bratton, and stage manager/producing associate Yulissa Campos. With original music by Darryl Dozlaw, Jordan Daniels, Marc Okihcihtaw and Donny Speidel.

Gratefully created on Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis.

If you’re listening for the first time, we encourage you to start from episode one.

Subscribe or follow so you don't miss an episode. See artist bios, upcoming episodes, and support our work with a donation at https://burntthicket.com.

Free to stream on-demand on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, with English subtitles/closed captions available on our YouTube channel. Audience advisory: Content may not be suitable for children.

One way to learn and take action: Reflect on the primary voices that inform you as a person and shape your thoughts and values. Make 4 lists: 1) your closest friends; 2) your mentors to whom you look for guidance; 3) the teachers, authors and artists whose work you engage with; and 4) the news media sources you access. Take note of the cultural backgrounds each person or media source represents. Choose to widen those circles to include a greater diversity of voices, especially First Nations, Métis and Inuit voices. Here are 3 options for news coverage from Indigenous perspectives: APTN News (coverage of truth and reconciliation at https://www.aptnnews.ca/topic/trc/), Eagle Feather News in SK (https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/), or CBC News Indigenous (https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous).

We want to hear what you think – leave a comment on our social media or send your feedback through the widget on our website.

Burnt Thicket Theatre is committed to creating spaces for diverse artists to be honest and open about their experiences and perspectives even when those views don't necessarily represent those of Burnt Thicket Theatre as an organization. We invite you as an audience member to lean in to hear those who are different from you, to be brave and to allow the space between all of us to be one of respect.

This project is made possible by a Digital Now Grant from Canada Council for the Arts, and by our major sponsors Shercom Industries, SK Arts, and Creative Saskatchewan.

*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT), and under ACTRA's National COVID-19 Response Initiative.

In the midst of spring seeding, a farmer is interrupted by the landowner. New voices join the fray, but what can break up entrenched opinions and cultivate common ground?

Written by Stephen Waldschmidt

direction by Kenn McLeod*

dramaturgy by Yvette Nolan, with Tim Bratton

performed by:

Lancelot Knight (Benjamin)

Abbey Thiessen (Melissa)

Kent Allen* (Albert)

Louise Halfe (Kohkum)

sound design, recording, and audio production by Tim Bratton

production dramaturgy by Yvette Nolan

stage management by Yulissa Campos

original music by Darryl Dozlaw, Jordan Daniels, Marc Okihcihtaw, and Donny Speidel

image design by Brooklynn Bitner

Gratefully created on Treaty 6 Territory, Treaty 4 Territory, and the traditional homeland of the Métis.

If you’re listening for the first time, we encourage you to start from episode one.

Subscribe or follow so you don't miss an episode. See artist bios, upcoming episodes, and support our work with a donation at https://burntthicket.com.

Free to stream on-demand on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, with English subtitles/closed captions available on our YouTube channel. Audience advisory: Content may not be suitable for children.

One way to learn and take action:

Ask a friend to join you to have a face-to-face conversation with your local government representative, MLA and/or MP. Ask them how are they working to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (which became law in Canada on June 21, 2021, see: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/declaration/index.html). Also ask how are they taking action in response to the Calls To Action from the Truth & Reconciliation Commission and the Calls For Justice from the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry (see https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/). Set a date with them to follow up together in 3 to 6 months.

We want to hear what you think – leave a comment on our social media or send your feedback through the widget on our website.

The playwright wishes to thank Ray Aldred (Northern Cree Elder, Director of the Indigenous Studies Program at UBC’s Vancouver School of Theology) for his teachings in a 2021 online course, and Bob Joseph (Gwawaenuk Nation, Hereditary Chief) for his book 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act.

This project is made possible by a Digital Now Grant from Canada Council for the Arts, and by our major sponsors Shercom Industries, SK Arts, and Creative Saskatchewan.

*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT), and under ACTRA's National COVID-19 Response Initiative.

A conversation with the artists who created Coffee Talk: playwright Marcel Petit, director Jennifer Dawn Bishop, actors Cheyanne Lemaigre, Kam Miller, and Dominga Robinson, sound designer Tim Bratton, and artistic director Stephen Waldschmidt. With original music by Darryl Dozlaw, Jordan Daniels, Marc Okihcihtaw, and Donny Speidel.

Gratefully created on Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis.

If you’re listening for the first time, we encourage you to start from episode one.

Subscribe or follow so you don't miss an episode. See artist bios, upcoming episodes, and support our work with a donation at https://burntthicket.com.

Free to stream on-demand on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, with English subtitles/closed captions available on our YouTube channel. Audience advisory: Content may not be suitable for children.

One way to learn and take action: Explore the Métis Voices video collection of oral histories (https://www.metisvoices.ca/), The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture (https://www.metismuseum.ca/), the Métis Memories of Residential Schools online mural (https://www.muralmosaic.com/metis-memories/), the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation virtual exhibits (https://nctr.ca/exhibits/), or visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (https://humanrights.ca/).

We want to hear what you think – leave a comment on our social media or send your feedback through the widget on our website.

Burnt Thicket Theatre is committed to creating spaces for diverse artists to be honest and open about their experiences and perspectives even when those views don't necessarily represent those of Burnt Thicket Theatre as an organization. We invite you as an audience member to lean in to hear those who are different from you, to be brave and allow the space between all of us to be one of respect.

This project is made possible by a Digital Now Grant from Canada Council for the Arts, and by our major sponsors Shercom Industries, SK Arts, and Creative Saskatchewan.

Coffee, cookies, and a conversation about being. Two friends wrestle with what treaty even means as they share a cuppa Joe.

Written by Marcel Petit

Direction by Jennifer Dawn Bishop

Dramaturgy by Curtis Peeteetuce

performed by:

Cheyanne Lemaigre

Kam Miller

And Dominga Robinson

Sound design, recording, and audio production by Tim Bratton

production dramaturgy by Yvette Nolan

stage management by Stephen Waldschmidt

original music by Darryl Dozlaw, Jordan Daniels, Marc Okihcihtaw, and Donny Speidel

image design by Brooklynn Bitner

Gratefully created on Treaty 6 Territory, Treaty 4 Territory, and the traditional homeland of the Métis.

If you’re listening for the first time, we encourage you to start from episode one.

Subscribe or follow so you don't miss an episode. See artist bios, upcoming episodes, and support our work with a donation at https://burntthicket.com.

Free to stream on demand on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, with English subtitles/closed captions available on our YouTube channel. Audience advisory: Content may not be suitable for children.

One way to learn and take action:

Ask a friend to join you to volunteer your time with a community organization or school program that is led by Indigenous persons and supports Indigenous youth in your part of Turtle Island.

We want to hear what you think – leave a comment on our social media or send your feedback through the widget on our website.

This project is made possible by a Digital Now Grant from Canada Council for the Arts and by our major sponsors Shercom Industries, SK Arts, and Creative Saskatchewan.

*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT), and under ACTRA's National COVID-19 Response Initiative.

A conversation with the artists who created Taken Before Birth: playwright Jennifer Dawn Bishop, dramaturg and director Donna-Michelle St. Bernard, assistant director Amanda Trapp*, actors Raven Dallman, Ezra Forest, and Erroll Kinistino*, sound designer Tim Bratton, artistic director Stephen Waldschmidt. With original music by Darryl Dozlaw, Jordan Daniels, Marc Okihcihtaw and Donny Speidel.

Gratefully created on Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis.

If you’re listening for the first time, we encourage you to start from episode one.

Subscribe or follow so you don't miss an episode. See artist bios, upcoming episodes, and support our work with a donation at https://burntthicket.com.

Free to stream on-demand on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, with English subtitles/closed captions available on our YouTube channel. Audience advisory: Content may not be suitable for children.

One way to learn and take action: Find an Indigenous art piece or performance you might not normally visit, go with a friend you don’t normally hang out with, and talk about your experience together. (some options in Saskatoon: downtown murals & public art - see iMaps on Saskatoon.ca, Wanuskewin, Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre, Remai Modern, USask Art Galleries)

We want to hear what you think – leave a comment on our social media or send your feedback through the widget on our website.

Burnt Thicket Theatre is committed to creating spaces for diverse artists to be honest and open about their experiences and perspectives even when those views don't necessarily represent those of Burnt Thicket Theatre as an organization. We invite you as an audience member to lean in to hear those who are different from you, to be brave and to allow the space between all of us to be one of respect.

This project is made possible by a Digital Now Grant from Canada Council for the Arts, and by our major sponsors Shercom Industries, SK Arts, and Creative Saskatchewan.

*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT), and under ACTRA's National COVID-19 Response Initiative.

The eyes of a child deconstruct the world in ways that the older and wiser haven’t even contemplated. When tucking in his granddaughter, a man is struck by a loaded question.

Written by Jennifer Dawn Bishop

direction & dramaturgy by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard

assistant direction by Amanda Trapp*

performed by:

Raven Dallman (Daughter)

Ezra Forest (Nosisim Iskwesis)

Erroll Kinistino* (Mushom)

sound design, recording and audio production by Tim Bratton

casting consulting by Carol Greyeyes*

production dramaturgy by Yvette Nolan

stage management by Stephen Waldschmidt

original music by Darryl Dozlaw, Jordan Daniels, Marc Okihcihtaw and Donny Speidel

image design by Brooklynn Bitner

Gratefully created on Treaty 6 Territory, Treaty 4 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis.

If you’re listening for the first time, we encourage you to start from episode one.

Subscribe or follow so you don't miss an episode. See artist bios, upcoming episodes, and support our work with a donation at https://burntthicket.com.

Free to stream on-demand on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, with English subtitles/closed captions available on our YouTube channel. Audience advisory: Content may not be suitable for children.

One way to learn and take action:

Attend MCC Saskatchewan’s 4th Annual Peace Conference, "Land of Living Reconciliation: Seeking Common Ground”, October 21-22, 2022 in Saskatoon: https://mcccanada.ca/get-involved/events/mcc-saskatchewan-peace-conference-2022

(or find a similar event in your area)

We want to hear what you think – leave a comment on our social media or send your feedback through the widget on our website.

This project is made possible by a Digital Now Grant from Canada Council for the Arts, and by our major sponsors Shercom Industries, SK Arts, and Creative Saskatchewan.

*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT), and under ACTRA's National COVID-19 Response Initiative.

A conversation with the artists who created The Final Inquiry: playwright Donna-Michelle St. Bernard, dramaturg and director Yvette Nolan*, actors Kris Alvarez and Kris Sandoval, hosted by sound designer Tim Bratton. With original music by Darryl Dozlaw, Jordan Daniels, Marc Okihcihtaw and Donny Speidel.

Gratefully created on Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis.

If you’re listening for the first time, we encourage you to start from episode one.

Subscribe or follow so you don't miss an episode. See artist bios, upcoming episodes, and support our work with a donation at https://burntthicket.com.

Free to stream on-demand on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, with English subtitles/closed captions available on our YouTube channel. Audience advisory: Content may not be suitable for children.

After reflecting on the Calls To Action from the TRC and MMIWG Inquiry, commit to an action plan on at least one call, take a first step of action, and ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable to follow through on your action plan.

We want to hear what you think – leave a comment on our social media or send your feedback through the widget on our website.

Burnt Thicket Theatre is committed to creating spaces for diverse artists to be honest and open about their experiences and perspectives even when those views don't necessarily represent those of Burnt Thicket Theatre as an organization. We invite you as an audience member to lean in to hear those who are different from you, to be brave and to allow the space between all of us to be one of respect.

This project is made possible by a Digital Now Grant from Canada Council for the Arts, and by our major sponsors Shercom Industries, SK Arts, and Creative Saskatchewan.

*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT), and under ACTRA's National COVID-19 Response Initiative.