Indigenous artists criticize SLAV director Lepage for new show ‘Kanata’
MONTREAL — Shortly after a run of his play SLAV was cancelled amid accusations of racial insensitivity, Quebec director Robert Lepage is once again being criticized for a lack of representation in one of his stage shows.
About 30 people signed an open letter in Le Devoir on Saturday to denounce Lepage for not including Indigenous performers in his upcoming show “Kanata.”
The show, which claims to explore Canada’s history “through the lens of the relationship between white and Aboriginal people,” will be performed in Paris by a French acting group in December.
Metis actor and theatre director Dave Jeniss, who signed the letter, said it was too bad the show’s producers decided to consult Indigenous people when creating the show, but not to include them in the final performance.