Event

The Rememberer

In 1911, a young Squaxin Indian girl named Joyce Cheeka was ripped from her ancestral home in Oyster Bay, and deposited in the governmental Tulalip Boarding School. There she was made to forsake her own language, and surrender the centuries-old customs of her Puget Sound tribe for an alien way of life.

"The Rememberer" by Steven Dietz tells Joyces true story. As the chosen "rememberer" for her tribean honor passed down to her from her grandfather, Mud Bay Samit is Joyce's duty to pass on the stories, history and wisdom of her people. However, the aims of the white boarding school are quite the opposite. Their job is to eliminate any trace of Joyce's heritage. Through her friendship with the headmaster at the school, and with the help of her "spirit guide," Joyce succeeds in forming a bridge between this new world and the world of her ancestors. Through her patience, grit, humor, curiosity and inclusiveness of spirit, she does honor to the words of her elders: "Each day is a gift. And to waste that day is inexcusable. Account for yourself. Be useful." Joyce Simmons Cheeka lived a remarkable, heroic and, indeed, useful life. RATED PG

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., for the three-weekend run April 10-26, 2020.