In the Beginning, November 4 to 7, 2020

In the Beginning
Wednesday November 4 - Saturday November 7
Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova. $20 (incl. s/c & GST)
Tickets at door or advance sales:
604.689.9926; www.firehallartscentre.ca

This is a wonderful opportunity, over five events, to listen and learn from Indigneous elders, knowledge keepers and artists from the nations who have lived, fished and worked here for thousands of years; and from other Indigenous people who have come to this place by travelling down the rivers, across the waters and from over the mountains. Listen to stories of the land, told by people of the land, with images projected of the land and waters, and historic and personal photos.

Storyteller Rosemary Georgeson (Coast Salish/Dene), Firehall Arts Centre Artistic Producer Donna Spencer and moderator Kim Haxton (Potowatomi) are joined by guests from Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and beyond, to delve into stories and histories of Indigenous peoples prior to and during colonization. Through sharing these stories, we hope to create a better understanding of this place and its history.

In the Beginning is the second stage of a joint project between the Firehall Arts Centre and Vancouver Moving Theatre that explores the many individuals and groups from different cultural heritages who lived and worked in the East Side and in particular the Strathcona, Chinatown, Gastown, and Paueru Gai/Powell Street neighbourhoods.

The History of In the Beginning

During the Firehall's 2019-2020 season and the 2019 Heart of the City Festival, Rosemary Georgeson and myself, with assistance from Savannah Walling (Artistic Director, Vancouver Moving Theatre), began an exploration of the history of the neighbourhood surrounding the Firehall. Drawing on materials collected from a wide number of different sources, we explored the neighbourhood through reference materials and found information on the many different cultural communities who lived and worked here and contributed to the rich history of the neighbourhood and the city of Vancouver.

But, during this project, we kept coming back to the question of where are the Indigenous voices in this history. So we began the process of seeking out those who could help us reveal and unwrap the stories of those who lived here prior to contact, colonization and settlement.

This is what In the Beginning is about.

– Donna Spencer, Artistic Producer, Firehall Arts Centre

In The Beginning: Over the Mountains
Wednesday November 4, 7:30pm
Firehall Arts Centre, 280 E. Cordova
$20 (incl. s/c & GST)
Also November 5, 6 & 7

Tickets at door or advance sales: 604-689-9926
boxoffice@firehallartscentre.ca or www.firehallartscentre.ca