Sewatokwà:tshera’ Theatre
Transformative storytelling through Indigenous theatre.
Indigenous-led. Community rooted.
About the Playwright
An Ojibway from the Curve Lake First Nations in Ontario, he has worn many hats in his literary career, from performing stand-up comedy at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., to being Artistic Director of Canada’s premiere Native theatre company, Native Earth Performing Arts. He has been an award-winning playwright, a journalist/columnist (appearing regularly in several Canadian newspapers and magazines), short-story writer, novelist, television scriptwriter, and has worked on numerous documentaries exploring the Native experience. Most notably as a filmmaker, he wrote and directed REDSKINS, TRICKSTERS AND PUPPY STEW, a documentary on Native humor for the National Film Board of Canada, and for CBC, co-created SEARCHING FOR WINNITOU, an exploration of Germany’s fascination with North American Indigenous culture. 2 years later he followed it up with the documentary COTTAGERS AND INDIANS, about Indigenous/non-Indigenous conflicts over land and water issues. Most recently, THE PRETENDIANS aired, exploring the phenomenon of non-Native people claiming Indigenous heritage.
About the Play
Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth is the emotional story of a woman’s struggle to acknowledge her birth family. Grace, a Native girl adopted by a White family, is asked by her birth sister to return to the Reserve for their mother’s funeral. Afraid of opening old wounds, Grace must find a place where the culture of her past can feed the truth of her present.
Production Details
Show Dates: June 2026
Location: Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
Presented by: Sewatokwà:tshera’ Theatre
Produced by: The One Dish Project
Performance Type: Community-based Indigenous theatre
Full ticketing information will be released in early spring.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPONSORS WILL APPEAR HERE
Why this play? Why now?
Stories of the Sixties Scoop and Indigenous family separation continue to impact communities across this territory. Our theatre exists to create space for truth, healing, and connection through Indigenous storytelling. Only Drunks and Children Tell the Truth brings forward a history carried by many Nations and invites all audiences to learn, witness, and reflect.
Audition Information
Audition Dates:
January 25, 2026
February 1, 2026
Time:
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Audition Location:
Kanhiote Public Library
Board Room (Upstairs)
1658 York Road
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
ROLES
JANICE (also referred to as GRACE)
Female. Indigenous. late 30s - Mid 40s
Janice is a successful lawyer living in Toronto. Adopted by a White family as a toddler, she has grown up largely separated from her birth family and community. Her return to the Reserve following the death of her mother forces her to confront unresolved questions of identity, belonging, and family history. Janice is articulate, controlled, and accustomed to emotional restraint.
BARB
Female. Indigenous. Mid 30+
Barb is Janice’s younger sister, who remained on the Reserve. She is grounded in her community and daily life at home. Barb is direct in her communication, pragmatic, and emotionally open. She often addresses difficult subjects plainly and without hesitation.
RODNEY
Male. Indigenous. Mid to late 20+
Rodney is Barb’s boyfriend. He is personable and good humoured, often using humour to keep conversations light. Rodney is socially comfortable and attentive to those around him, moving easily within group dynamics.
TONTO
Male. Indigenous. Early to mid 30s+
Tonto is Rodney’s brother. He is observant and articulate, with a tendency to comment on situations as they unfold. Tonto listens closely and often introduces humour or insight into conversations, contributing to the forward movement of the action.