Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation

Cathy Levy hosts a pre-show talk with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Artistic Director André Lewis, choreographer Mark Godden, novelist Joseph Boyden, Inuk throat singer Tanya Tagaq, and composer Christos Hatzis on the genesis, development and collaborative process of the ballet Going Home Star –Truth and Reconciliation. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet created this contemporary full-length work relating to the legacy of residential schools with the aim of bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous people closer together. As they describe their own individual contribution and creative process, the panelists pay homage to Winnipeg Elder Mary Richard, actress, producer and Indigenous activist Tina Keeper, and Steve Wood & the Northern Cree Singers. The closing remarks by Tanya and André are both sobering and hopeful.