Indigenous Women's Theatre in Canada: A Mechanism of Decolonization

Sarah MacKenzie's book "Indigenous Women's Theatre in Canada" explores plays by Indigenous women to highlight gendered colonialist violence and deconstruct harmful stereotypes. It provides a platform for cultural healing and envisioning decolonial futurisms, challenging colonialist misrepresentations and advocating for Indigenous women's rights.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 19 January 2021
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing Co Ltd

Despite a recent surge in the productivity and recognition of Indigenous playwrights in Canada, the majority of critical and academic attention has been directed towards the work of male dramatists, relegating female writers to the periphery. In her groundbreaking book, Indigenous Women's Theatre in Canada, Sarah MacKenzie seeks to rectify this critical imbalance by delving into plays authored and produced by Indigenous women within the socio-cultural contexts of twentieth and twenty-first century Canada. Through a meticulous analysis of dramatic texts by Monique Mojica, Marie Clements, and Yvette Nolan, MacKenzie uncovers the diverse ways in which these representations of gendered colonialist violence are employed subversively and enlighteningly by Indigenous women. These plays serve as a platform for individual and collective cultural healing, dismantling some of the detrimental ideological implications perpetuated by colonial misrepresentations of Indigeneity. Moreover, they showcase the resilience and unwavering strength of Indigenous women, providing a space for envisioning decolonial futurisms.

In this singular work, MacKenzie makes a compelling argument that colonialist representations of Indigenous women have perpetuated demeaning stereotypes, providing a rationale for the devaluation and violence directed towards Indigenous women. However, what is most significant is her assertion that resistant representations in Indigenous women's dramatic writing and production actively work against such representational and material violence.

Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, MacKenzie has illuminated the ways in which Indigenous women's theatre contributes to the ongoing struggle for justice and equality. Her book offers a valuable contribution to the field of theatre studies, shedding light on the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities and challenging dominant narratives. By highlighting the subversive and transformative power of Indigenous women's dramatic writing and production, MacKenzie empowers readers to recognize the importance of amplifying their voices and advocating for a more inclusive and equitable society.

Weight: 268g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781773631875