Where Have All The Buffalo Gone? by Tai Amy Grauman

from the blog

Summary

Where Have All The Buffalo Gone?  follows two Métis souls through four love stories in four distinct periods of Métis history. We bear witness to the emergence of the Métis nations across the plains, the robust colonization that arises from the fur trade, the disappearance of the buffalo and the political uprising of the Métis Association of Alberta. The story begins during creation amongst the stars and ends in the present day.  

Where Have All The Buffalo Gone? specifically shares scenarios from the Callihoo family’s stories, incorporating fiddle music, jigging and a life size buffalo puppet. Inspired by historical events of the Métis people of Canada, this original play for young audiences explores the loves, the losses and the fight of Treaty 6’s Métis people – and their love and kinship to the buffalo.

Content Description

The characters in Where Have All The Buffalo Gone? depict scenes that would have happened in Métis history. These historical actions are addressed in our study guide and include:

• 1830: Marie is skinning a rabbit with a knife. She also shoots a buffalo with a rifle. The buffalo dies and is cut up by Marie.

• 1885: Louis has a musket in silhouette, we hear gunshots (a depiction of the battle of Batoche).

• 1925: Marie and Louis run away from residential school and ascend to the stars (they die).

• The musket and the knife are stage props and are representative of the time in history, the situation, are used to tell the story.

Public Performances

Shoot! We must be planning future tours and performances for this show. Check back soon!

Touring Information

Please contact the Booking & Marketing Coordinator by email at petrice@axistheatre.com or call 604 669 0631 for more information.

Photography for Where Have All The Buffalo Gone? by Javier Sotres Photography, featuring Lynny Bonin, Issiah Bull Bear, and Sofi Munson (Buffalo puppeteer). Production and Puppet Design by Dusty Hagerüd, Costume Design by Alaia Hamer, and Lighting Design by Jack Goodison.