Women of the Fur Trade is a multi-faceted and impactful production that reclaims history through the lens of three women – two of whom are Indigenous and the third is European. Set in the 1800s during the rise of Louis Riel and the Red River Resistance, the play offers deep insight into the lives of these womennavigating colonialism, isolation, and invisibility.

Frances Koncan’s script blends historical fiction with modern commentary, using humor and pop culture. The play’s use of modern-day references—Canada Post, FedEx, Pilates—injects levity into otherwise heavy themes. These moments remind us that while the setting is historical, the same issues are still present today.

Beneath the humor lies a sad truth: these women are not only trapped by the politics of their time—they are colonized in body, mind, and voice. Marriage is portrayed not as a romantic ideal but as a tool of control—a social construct that preserves the patriarchy and confines women to roles that erase their individuality.

The play confronts genocide—not only in terms of physical violence, but through cultural erasure, forced assimilation, and the silencing of Indigenous women’s stories. It explores how colonization didn’t just claim land—it claimed lives, identities, and futures.

One of the most haunting elements of the production is the set itself: with portraits of men—leaders, explorers, historical figures—yet conspicuously absent of women. It’s a reminder that history, as it’s often told, is a gallery of male faces and male decisions, while the women who lived, resisted, and endured are left out of the frame.

A touching aspect of the play is the portrayal of women’s friendships—split by circumstance, ideology, and survival, yet never fully broken. Despite their differences, the women share a deep, bond. In the end, they all want the same things: freedom, recognition, and the right to define themselves.

Kelsey Kanatan Wavey, Cheri Maracle, and Columpa Bobb deliver compelling performances, each portraying a different kind of resistance - their chemistry is rich. Jonathan Fisher and Victor Hunter also deliver strong performances which all together creates a very impactful production.
I highly recommend that you take the opportunity to go and see Women of the Fur Trade.


© 2025 Shirley Siega