Life and Work of Tomson Highway: First Nations' Experience in Canada ****************************************************************************************** * Life and Work of Tomson Highway: First Nations' Experience in Canada ****************************************************************************************** Although Tomson Highway (born 1951) may be a lesser known name in Czech literary circles, for that matter, he is one of Canada’s most influential voices. An Aboriginal Canadian pla and composer, Highway has received numerous awards celebrating his work, including the Ord in 1994 in recognition of his services to the nation. 2017 being Canada’s 150th anniversar particularly exciting occasion as Highway came to Prague - the first stop on his European at Kampa Theatre, and to give a talk at the Faculty of Arts the following day. The event w on April 23 and 24 was a collaborative effort between the Department of Anglophone Literat at Charles University and the Canadian Embassy in Prague, and was equally educative and en result. At the Sunday evening performance Highway was accompanied by singer Patricia Cano and saxo Ali, who together delivered a stunning ten-song set in cabaret style to a packed out audit morning the complimentary lecture provided a greater insight into Highway’s personal exper Nations artist, this community’s marginalised ideology, and a quick lesson in Cree - his n What characterised both events was undoubtedly Highway’s infectious humour; he is a charmi individual, who creates a jovial atmosphere within which to discuss seriously these subjec losing the attention of the listener. Dr Klára Kolínská from the Department of Anglophone Literatures and Cultures of the Facult introduced Highway as a ‘living legend’ and a ‘revolutionary’ in the Canadian theatre scen the writer accepted with humble graciousness before introducing himself in his own humorou the one in which he seems most comfortable), as the son of a widely celebrated Caribou hun Caribou no less! This tongue-in-cheek comment was made passingly, but received great laugh case with many of Highway’s quips; a quiet delivery masks his sharp wit, and so the jokes coming. He describes his childhood as one of a Prince; surrounded by 500 lakes, the “unique landsc Western Manitoba has clearly left a permanent impression on the artist, and he regaled us of his family life. As the 11th of 12 children, having 48 aunts and uncles, and consequent cousins, Highway sees himself as “the world’s richest man in love”. Whilst assumptions are about the poverty and deprivation of First Nation communities and familial life, he counte perspective, noting that “You never hear about the positive stuff”. Rather, he sees himsel privileged to have been surrounded by such an abundance of love, for the opportunities thi with, and for having his interest in languages ignited at such as young age. Indeed, the focus of his talk soon turned to language, an incredibly significant aspect of culture, but perhaps even more so for one so underrepresented globally. Highway grew up in community where both Cree and Dene were spoken, and through exposure to Catholicism he als from a young age. The pride in his linguistic skill is evident, particularly in respect to treated to a rapid demonstration of the speed and complexity of the language, one which he most living”, even “blooming”. He then gave us a broad overview of the various linguistic Canadian First Nation communities, drawing comparisons with Slavic and Germanic languages their complexity and disparity. Having lived in France for 13 years, and thus speaking Fre Highway gave valuable insight into the implications of gendered languages, a category whic not fall into. This was then linked to a more ideological perspective which made for inter comparisons. Highway posited that mythology is inherent within language; as such, English has historica a hierarchical structure which positions ‘he’ as superior to the extreme opposite of ‘she’ Cree is a circular language, which oscillates freely between genders and also between the ‘inanimate’, the soul or spirit being reflected in the word. Highway logically went on to in Cree the only body parts linguistically animate are the female genitalia, and as a cons have a cultural importance equivalent to God in the English hierarchy: as he joked, “if th heaven, where’s your mother?” This pantheistic mythology has created a cultural map for th guide through the universe which (as Highway dropped in) has persisted for around 60 000 y one cultural battle ensuing from Columbus’ arrival in America in 1492 was that “God met hi didn’t like it. This relatively recent history of colonialism and its introduction of Cath Nations communities may have attempted to quash the pre-existent mythology, but Highway se artist as re-illuminating it for a contemporary audience, both locally and globally. Having been part of the first wave of Native writers, and now nearing on retirement, Highw imperative responsibility to the next generation of artists to continue rekindling knowled in First Nation culture.  Although he will undoubtedly continue to write and perform, and continue to be celebrated, he acknowledged “I’m tired, and I’ve done my share.” He sees th an increasingly troubled world as a common humanitarian responsibility, speaking specifica change as a catalyst for action, and noting that art and performance is just one force to in changing perspectives. Highway left much to contemplate, and it was only a shame the le longer - his next performance in Warsaw demanded his departure, but, as graciously as he h thanked us for our attendance and promised to treasure our laughter for the rest of the da of this collaborative event cannot be understated, and it is to the credit of all involved enthusiastic response was received.