By paNOW Staff

Controversial play Gordon Winter opens in Saskatoon

Oct 13, 2010 | 5:10 PM

Sheri Ebert

CKOM

A controversial play is making its world debut on stage at Saskatoon's Persephone Theatre with Canadian screen legend Gordon Tootoosis starring in the title role in Gordon Winter.
The play is about the life of an RCMP officer, outspoken activist, residential school survivor and staunch bigot.
“As a survivor of the Catholic residential school system himself, Tootoosis is sure to electrify the role of this controversial title character,” said a news release sent out by the Persephone Theatre.
Saskatchewan Playwright Kenneth T. Williams is the first to admit that Saskatchewanians will be reminded of one of our province's own controversial First Nations leaders when they see his play. Comments by the late David Ahenakew about Jews completely changed the course of his life.
“David Ahenakew was a tragic character. He himself embodies a great, traumatic character,” said Williams.
“He's someone whose drive and intelligence and focus and sometimes just plain stubbornness lead to the many great things for First Nations people.”
But then Ahenakew made his fateful comments to a reporter in 2002.
“That totally defines his character. And in real life, I think that's kind of unfair. We shouldn't be defined by one moment in our lives,” said Williams.
“But at the same time, for me as a writer, I went, ‘I've got to do something, like, I've got to create a play. There's a play sitting in this.’ That's kind of what drove me.”
The George Gordon band member hopes people watching the play leave feeling a range of emotions.
“Come see it and judge it for yourself. I think it's a very important story for us, I think it has to be told,” said Williams.
Gordon Winter runs in Saskatoon's Persephone Theatre's Backstage stage from Oct. 13-24.