Event

Fatty Legs (Wolfville)

Indian Residential Schools have left Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians with a difficult legacy. Based on a true story, the book Fatty Legs comes alive on the stage, featuring a choir, an Aboriginal contemporary dancer, and a Mi'kmaq actor.

Fatty Legs is set in Canada's far north and is the story of Olemaun Pokiak who dreams of learning to read. But when she arrives at Residential School she is given the name Margaret, has her long braids cut off, and is made to wear itchy red wool socks as an example of her "unworthiness." Treated cruelly by classmates and teachers, Margaret devises a plan to ensure the red stockings won't cause her any more humiliation. Based on the book by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Fatty Legs is a profound yet accessible true story that brings to light the suffering created by residential schools while celebrating the deep strength of a child who refused to be broken by her experiences.

Xara Choral Theatre Ensemble (www.xara.ca) is based in Halifax and is ranked the top women's choir in Canada. Their shows are a feast for the senses, featuring choral singing, movement, lighting, costumes, and more. Sarain Carson-Fox, is of Anishnaabe heritage and is an internationally recognized contemporary dancer. Lisa Nasson is a talented and sensitive Mi'kmaq actor from Halifax. Margaret Pokiak-Fenton is Inuvialuit. She and her daughter-in-law, Christy Jordan-Fenton wrote the book and worked with Xara to create the script for Fatty Legs.