Theatre

Children aged six to 10 can learn more about native culture and traditions as they read and act in these dramas, full of folklore, comedy and tricksters! Pushing Up the Sky includes ideas for adapting the plays for different-sized groups, as well as providing suggestions for costumes, scenery and props.

Level 8 Illustrated by Bill Helin. Back cover book introduction: Raven likes to eat a lot of clams so he makes a plan to get some! What kind of plan do you think Raven will make? Book Dimensions: 6.5in x 5.5in Pages: 16 ISBN: 9781927571224

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Level 8 Illustrated by Bill Helin. Back cover book introduction: Raven likes to eat a lot of clams so he makes a plan to get some! What kind of plan do you think Raven will make? Book Dimensions: 6.5in x 5.5in Pages: 16 6-Pack ISBN: 9781927571620

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"Do not eat too much of the earth. Save some."

When you take something from the earth you must always give something back.

From the Kwantlen First Nation village of Squa’lets comes the tale of Th’owxiya, an old and powerful spirit that inhabits a feast dish of tempting, beautiful foods from around the world. But even surrounded by this delicious food, Th’owxiya herself craves only the taste of children. When she catches a hungry mouse named Kw’atel stealing a piece of cheese from her dish, she threatens to devour Kw’atel’s whole family, unless she can bring Th’owxiya two child spirits. Ignorant but desperate, Kw’atel sets out on an epic journey to fulfill the spirit’s demands. With the help of a sqeweqs, two spa:th, and a sasq’ets, Kw’atel endeavours to find gifts that would appease Th’owxiya and save her family.

Similar to “Hansel and Gretel” and the northwest First Nations story “The Wild Woman of the Woods,” Th’owxiya—which integrates masks, song, and dance—is a tale of understanding boundaries, being responsible for one’s actions, forgiving mistakes, and finding the courage to stand up for what’s right.

Reviews
“What makes Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish truly unforgettable is in its engaging story steeped in tradition.” —Mark Robins, Vancouver Presents

Educator Information
Recommended theatre/play for young audiences ages 5 to 15. 

For Kwantlen people, Th'owxiya is a mythological being used to teach children to listen and not to venture off alone lest she take them and eat them. Joseph began writing this play over twenty-five years ago, when he was an intern in a pilot program to study museology at the Canadian Museum of History.

Additional Information
96 pages | 5.12" x 7.62"