Press Release – Persephone Commissions Art For National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Saskatoon, SK – For the second year, Persephone Theatre is working towards uplifting Indigenous voices through its annual commission to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This year’s Reconciliation Commission is a song by performing artist Lancelot Knight, entitled “Truth Be Told.” Knight is a Plains Cree singer-songwriter from Muskoday, now living in Saskatoon, who has toured both within Canada and internationally. Knight, who is also an actor, co-created the play Reasonable Doubt, which premiered on the Main Stage at Persephone Theatre in 2020.

The Reconciliation Commission is just one of the ways Persephone Theatre is creating opportunities to prioritize the voices and perspectives of Indigenous artists.

“Making theatre is about storytelling and we believe the stories of the Indigenous peoples of this land deserve an audience. Their lived experiences and perspectives have been ignored for too long,” said Artistic Director Heather Cant.

Persephone believes performing arts organizations have an essential part to play in reconciliation, and it is important for them to consider how they can and should contribute.

“The Reconciliation Commission gives Indigenous artists a platform to communicate their perspective on what reconciliation means to them,” Cant said. “My hope is that over time, we will develop a library of artistic responses to look back on the evolving relationship with reconciliation in Canada, as a way to reflect on what it means to pursue that ambition, and what steps of atonement and relationship repair we have been able to make as a nation with the Indigenous peoples of this land.”

The Reconciliation Commission is but one way Persephone Theatre has identified it can contribute to the intentions of reconciliation and building good relations in our community. To read more about our commitment, CLICK HERE.

Reconciliation is a collaborative endeavor; it cannot be accomplished in isolation. We invite the community to engage in dialogue and do this work together.

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