Isitwendam (An Understanding): Ojibwe - A word that describes a feeling of sorrow andempathy. It suggests that no matter what hurt has been inflicted, there is anunderstanding of that wrong and the chance to be forgiven is present.

Does healing have an expiry date?

When Brendan White’s new job with Indian Affairs sends him out to discredit a ResidentialSchool survivor’s reparation claim his whole world turns upside down. As he learns thetruth about this troubled and often unspoken part of Canadian history, Brendanrediscovers his role within his family, generation, his people, and within the nationalcommunity at large.

Through selected writings, personal experiences, interviews with survivors, as well asalternating views from other Canadians, Isitwendam examines the collateral damage of theResidential School system through a one-person multidisciplinary theatrical exploration oftext, song, movement, and innovative storytelling dubbed Ceremonial Art.

A fusion of western and Indigenous storytelling that includes Ancient Indigenous Sign

Language, drumming, dance, and song, this powerful, heart-wrenching, yet humoroustheatrical production explores various perspectives of atrocity and the steps we all need totake to find Isitwendam.

ISITWENDAM (AN UNDERSTANDING)

WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY MEEGWUN FAIRBROTHERCO-CREATED AND DIRECTED BY JACK GRINHAUS

WORLD PREMIERE

March 20-31, 2019, Aki Studio

Opening Night Wed March 20th, 2019

Photo: Meegwun Fairbrother in Isitwendam. © Michael Kast.