Another Robert Lepage show canceled due to claims of cultural appropriation

Kanata, the controversial play by Robert Lepage that was criticized by many members of Quebec's aboriginal communities, was canceled

The cancellation was announced Thursday morning by Ex Machina, the production company of Lepage, in a post on Facebook. ]

"The infinitely complex and often aggressive controversy surrounding the show has in the meantime touched the North American co-producers who were interested in it, and some have now announced their withdrawal," he said. they say. . "Without their financial support, we can not finish creating Kanata with the Sun Theater, so we end the project."

The play, which Lepage talked about, described the beginning of the project. history of Canada and examining the relationship between the country's colonizers and the native population Critics also said that what was depicted in the rehearsal photos was inaccurate

Some local leaders of the Aboriginal community met Lepage the week last to discuss the topic.They said they were disappointed with the way the discussions were going on.

They felt differently Thursday after hearing the cancellation.

"S & # 39; He cancels the room because of the controversy, he has funders who worry about the contact. It's a big win for us. This is the best success of all time. This shows that if we mobilize on a particular issue and that this could be the result, it shows that there is hope for other things in the future, "he said. said Nakuset, director of the Montreal Native Women's Shelter. criticized for cultural appropriation this summer. The Montreal International Jazz Festival has canceled SLAV, which featured songs badociated with black slavery in the United States, performed by a mostly white cast, after only a few performances

This show will be showcased in several other cities in early 2019.

Parti Quebecois leader Jean-François Lisee entered the controversy on Thursday afternoon, tweeting that the cancellation of the play represents a decline in artistic freedom and blames the "censors".

Prime Minister, I would estimate it is the responsibility of the state, guardian of freedoms, to support this work. 1/2 #kanata #slav #polqc @Ex_M https://t.co/2a61B8tveP

– Jean-François Lisée (@JFLisee) 26 July 2018

2/2 The pressure of the censors and the moral weakness of the co-producers must not have the last word in terms of artistic freedom. The debate, yes. Support for diversity in the arts, absolutely. The retreat of freedoms, never! @Ex_M #polqc #slav #kanata pic.twitter.com/WJJjwbCV2M

– Jean-François Lise (@JFLisee) July 26, 2018 [19659025] ] Lisee also said that Premier Philippe Couillard should offer government support for the Kanata project.

Thursday afternoon, the Quebec Minister of Culture, Marie Montpetit, tweeted an answer saying that she has always supported the work of Robert Lepage.

Montpetit adds that it is unfortunate that no one wins in this situation and that the dialogue must continue

Further discussions are ongoing between Lepage and the aboriginal community

. in the statement, they would always like to "try to understand calmly and together, what cultural appropriation, and the right to artistic expression are fundamentally" and he would always like to meet again with the indigenous community and its critics.

Nakuset agreed, saying that there is always room for conversation and she still wants to work to foster a better understanding of the variety of opinions and voices of the community.