The show, which includes live-action puppetry and animation, tells the story of Bear, a boy who learns about his community’s traditions through the guidance of his Grandmother. There’s also talking corn, squash and peas. It’s pretty great.
But behind the felt and fun, with fewer than 200 Kanien’kehá:ka speakers out of a population of 8000 on Kahnawà:ke, there is an urgency to the show’s mission.
In this conversation, Ricochet’s Yasmin Hotter Yishay speaks with Tóta Tánon Ohkwá:ri’s lead director and puppeteer Konwanénhon Marion Delaronde about her 13 years with the show and what her work has taught her about the importance of language preservation efforts.
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