CIVILIZED

By the Book Productions—One88

The mistreatment of the Indigenous people by the Canadian government through various laws and actions combined with the creation and running of the residential school system (in partnership with the Churches) is the subject of the play by Keir Cutler which makes it necessary for a number of content warnings. It also makes it necessary viewing. Though it is expertly performed it is a very difficult play to watch.

John Huston portrays a government official of the early 1900s brought back to life to attempt to defend their strategies to deal with the Indigenous people who were “in the way of progress”.

Because the play uses the language and labels of that time it is especially jarring. The Indigenous population are barely considered people, their traditions and culture is something to be erased in order for them to become ‘Civilized’.

Shining a light on the horrible truth, so long ignored, is painful but needed. The most haunting line for me comes near the end and is something like “We did this for you”, with you being the modern population of Canada.

I hope a lot of people see this show, and then begin (or continue) on a journey to achieve reconciliation and help heal the wounds of the past.

Murray Hunter