3 Crows Productions
Indigenous Educational Storytellers
The Wild Woman Who Steals Children
Qwalena was the single most powerful assembly that I have experienced in my ten year teaching career. This is a must see production for every school, student, and teacher in our province.
D. Hyde, Indigenous Education SD 67
The sense of magic and mysticism you created was gripping... the most accessible presentation that our students will ever hear in terms of the personal costs of residential schools across the generations.
S. Russell, Superintendent SD 42
VIDEO & WORKBOOK
DESCRIPTION
Connecting – Resilience – Indigenous Truth & Reconciliation
‘CRITR’ Workbook
Indigenous storyteller Dallas Yellowfly brings "Qwalena: The Wild Woman Who Steals Children'' to life in this unique and scary theatrical multimedia storytelling performance. The purpose of this performance is to promote anti-racism, create awareness of the Indian Act and the intergenerational impacts of Residential Schools while strengthening communities through education.
In a dark theatre immersed with echoes of a beating drum, Yellowfly tells the scary story of a girl who is born different and bullied by kids in her community. She runs away to the forest where a sense of betrayal builds into rage. Over time Qwalena becomes the wild woman who eerily whistles to hide her movements in the forest and steals children who search for her.
Yellowfly later explains that Qwalena is an allegorical creature representing the Indian Agents who stole Indigenous children from their families and forced them into government funded Residential Schools. Yellowfly’s father was one of these children. He vulnerably shares the harrowing story of his father's life experience and then the intergenerational impacts felt later by his family. The graphic story is truthful and important to share.
By blending oral tradition, multimedia, mature content and a bit of humour, Yellowfly hopes to promote an understanding of present day impacts of the Indian Act and how Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island are trying to break the cycles of oppression caused by Residential Schools.
Educational Workbooks
Featuring "Qwalena"
CRITR provides dozens of lessons and 100s of questions covering important topics including: Indigenous Canadian History, Residential Schools, Indigenous Contributions past and present, Treaties and Indigenous Days of Recognition in Canada.
WARNING:
This performance includes potentially triggering conversations surrounding physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, and homicide. Strobe lights for those who are photosensitive and loud sounds to those with auditory sensitivities also may be a trigger.
INFO
Length:
Audience:
Capacity:
90 minutes
Suitable for ages 13+
2000
REQUIREMENTS
Venue:
Tech:
Staff:
Capable of blackout darkness
4 Electrical outlets
One person to turn lights on/off
I was having so much fun I didn't even realize I was learning.
Grade 4 Student, SD 42
I'm Indigenous too and I liked that you got the whole school to see this, it was for everyone.
Gr 6 Student, SD 34
Interactive Theatre
DESCRIPTION
Indigenous storyteller Dallas Yellowfly brings a light hearted, high energy version of “How Raven Stole the Sun” to life using interactive theatre. Several audience members are brought up on stage to act out the characters in the story. Using improv coaching and gentle positive humour, Yellowfly empowers and encourages participants during the performance to add their own unique element to the story. The performance is crafted with fun and learning.
Throughout the performance the audience will learn some traditional names of locations on Turtle Island using Indigenous words and languages as well as the holistic values of some Indigenous Peoples. Each audience will gain an understanding of Indigenous Oral Traditions, the power of laughter in storytelling and the importance of respecting the environment.
REQUIREMENTS
Venue:
Tech:
Staff:
Theatre or gymnasium
3 Electrical outlets
One adult to pick participants
INFO
Length:
Audience:
Capacity:
60 minutes
Suitable for ages 6+
1000
Storytelling Workshop
helped my students understand the history of the land they live on, and the responsibilities they hold.
M. Thome, Instructor, Douglas College
DESCRIPTION
Indigenous storytellers Dallas Yellowfly and Alysha Collie explore some fundamental elements of Oral Storytelling.
Both Yellowfly and Collie introduce their nations and ancestral territories retelling some important creation stories as told by their nations and families. Throughout the workshop they will share land based stories accompanied by the traditional place names in their languages. The session will conclude with participants practicing an Oral Story re-telling of a traditional Coast Salish story.
This workshop aims to inspire audience members to decolonize their perspectives of where they live through exploring the stories told by the First Peoples in their own communities. Participants are encouraged to look deeper into their own identities and learn the stories of their own ancestors by listening to Knowledge Keepers in their families and communities.
INFO
Length:
Audience:
Capacity:
60 minutes
Suitable for ages 8+
50
REQUIREMENTS
Venue:
Tech:
Theatre, gym or classroom
2 Electrical outlets
Our Story is powerful, deeply sad but the truth, and yet leaves the audience with immense respect and admiration for their resiliency, graciousness and a tremendous sense of hope for the future.
K. Godden, Superintendent SD 34
LEGACY ARCHIVE
Elders and Residential School Survivors Cyril Pierre and Joseph Ginger have been courageously sharing their stories publicly for over two decades. Together they have been forging a unique pathway in the education system through documentaries, books, public performances and national news outlets. They have been driven to change the education system for future generations.
In 2010 Pierre and Ginger met Dallas Yellowfly and agreed to share their stories with him on film. Following the completion of "Our Story", the Elders agreed to speak at schools where Yellowfly was already presenting about the intergenerational impacts of Residential Schools on his family. Becoming a trio of speakers that formed 3 Crows Productions was a natural progression for them.
As community members started hearing about the work they were doing, local secondary schools and universities began to create space for them. Pierre and Ginger vulnerably shared their truths and lived experiences in an effort to educate the next generation of learners and educators. This process became part of their own healing journey. Their experiences were parallel to the thousands of Indigenous children’s Residential School experiences that had historically been ignored in curriculum.
The Elders believe this journey has been transformative. Change in the hearts and minds of educators, curriculum and pedagogies made it possible for more Indigenous Peoples to share their truths in broader audiences. The climate in education shifted substantially over the past 20 years and Pierre and Ginger made space for themselves by becoming full time presenters.
Their testimonies for the 'Common Experience Fund' were shared with the National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation. Their words are featured on CBC News and in several documentaries including “Our Story”. Their stories have been published in books like “Saint Mary's”, newspapers and magazines. Audiences in countless educational institutions, in arenas, and in community gatherings have had the opportunity to witness the hard work they committed their lives to doing. Their memories have helped shape some of the current ground penetrating radar work underway at St. Mary's.
They have opened their hearts hundreds of times to bring light to something that was for so long hidden in darkness. The work that they have collectively done has changed lives forever.
Without Elders like Cyril Pierre and Joseph Ginger sharing their authentic lived experiences of trauma, abuse, pain and survival we would not have the same level of public awareness that we have today. Both Elders take pride in knowing that the work they have done is changing education for the generations to come.
Both Pierre and Ginger have now retired from presenting but have left some of their work here as a powerful legacy for educators and those curious to explore.
Educational Resources
Teaching Guides & Resources
This website is filled with follow up activities and links designed for teachers and students for Qwalena.
This page is filled with follow up activities. Tech requirements and outline also included.
Native Land is a resource to learn more about Indigenous territories, languages, lands, and ways of life.
An audio narrated resource for learning about Indigenous knowledge and philosophy.
Actionable policy recommendations meant to aid the healing & reconciliation process in Canada.
Canadian act of Parliament that concerns registered Indians, their bands, and Indian reserves.
A large-scale work of art containing items reclaimed from Residential Schools, churches, and other structures across Canada.
Workbooks featuring 3 Crows Productions
Educational Workbooks
Featuring 3 Crows Productions
CRITR provides dozens of lessons and 100s of questions covering important topics including: Indigenous Canadian History, Residential Schools, Indigenous Contributions past and present, Treaties and Indigenous Days of Recognition in Canada.
Connecting – Resilience – Indigenous Truth & Reconciliation ‘CRITR’ Workbook
