The Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity (CCRC) asked Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) for permission to film a 45 minute play on the Six Nations territory this fall.

The presentation to SNEC was presented by Peter Smith, executive and creative director for CCRC during the Oct. 25 general council meeting. Smith spoke about the Grand River community play project that will film at Chiefwoods Park, The Pauline Johnson Museum, and on the Grand River as well.

"The Community Play Project is an opportunity to bring people together in celebration and in story."

Filming will take place on Nov. 12 and 13. Smith said the days will consist of a Thanksgiving address followed by a walkabout through the park, including a stop at the Pauline Johnson Historical Site where an Indigenous actress will recite some of Pauline Johnson's poems. Traditional singers and storytellers will be performing at the park and the filming will also take place at the Grand River.

Smith also talked about working with a technology company on developing a dragonfly art installation that will be featured in the filming as well.

"They're developing an art installation that will be a 6 ft. x 6 ft. dragonfly," he said. "And what will happen with the dragonfly is we'll have two screens and there will be a series of sounds, songs, stories, and images of minute and minute and a half long experiences of and on the Grand River."

The executive also talked about the hope to build on after the filming in November.

"This is more of a teaser or a set-up for the greater project which will be spread over the next couple of years leading to an experience that will run the length of the river in the summer of 2024," Smith said.

"The project will include folks from different communities up and down the river."

Chief Mark Hill spoke on the project and its ability to educate people on issues that First Nations communities face.

"One of the key phrases that you (Smith) had mentioned in relation to hearing the voice of the river, the water. I think that stood out to me the most in terms of what does that mean?" He said. "As you know, even with water issues across the territory, not just on Six Nations but across the country, when it comes to First Nations communities and the lack of access to clean drinking water and the challenges we face on that front."

SNEC gave the CCRC approval to film on the territory on the specified dates.

For more information on the Grand River Community Play Project visit their website.

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