Giiwedin is described as being a new breed of opera, which the Toronto Sun states is "Aboriginal opera at its best," and the Globe and Mail calls "sophisticated pastiche." Giiwedin tells the story of a 150-year old Aboriginal woman fighting for her land at the turn of the 20th century in Temiskaming, Ontario. The development and production of Giiwedin relates to Spy Dénommé-Welch's PhD dissertation which focuses on the areas of Indigenous Music, Opera and Pedagogy. Spy explores the role of pedagogy in the development of Giiwedin, while also examining the historical aspects of music, Indigenous music, and the role of storytelling in conveying complex Canadian history. Spy Dénommé-Welch is a multi-disciplinary artist and scholar who has written and produced work for theatre, short film and opera. His works have been shown at festivals, theatres, galleries and conferences both in Canada and internationally, and he has been published in journals such as Canadian Journal of Native Education and Canadian Theatre Review. He graduated from the University of Guelph Theatre program and is now completing his PhD in Education at York University on the topic of Indigenous music, opera and pedagogy under the supervision of professor Didi Khayatt. He is the founder and Artistic Director of An Indie(n) Rights Reserve. Spy plays violin and guitar and has previously written music for theatre and film. Giiwedin is a co-production between Native Earth performing Arts and An Indie(n) Rights Reserve, and runs until April 24th 2010 at Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace. For further information about Giiwedin, contact Spy at: spy@anindienrightsreserve.com
