Mináǧi kiŋ dowáŋ: A Zitkála-Šá Opera (English: My Spirit Sings) is a 2022 operatic film about the life and work of Yankton Dakota author and activist Zitkála-Šá. It is considered by some to be the first opera that uses Dakota language. The opera was composed by Lyz Jaakola (Fond du Lac Anishinaabe), directed by Sequoia Hauck (Anishinaabe, Hupa), and produced by Kelly Turpin of An Opera Theater (AOT). Jaysalynn Western Boy is one of four actors to play Zitkála-Šá. It premiered October 12, 2022 at Water Works Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
| Mináǧi kiŋ dowáŋ: A Zitkála-Šá Opera | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Directed by | Sequoia Hauck[1] |
| Produced by | Kelly Turpin (An Opera Theater)[1] |
| Edited by | Courtney Cochran[1] |
| Music by | |
Production company | An Opera Theater |
Release date |
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Running time | 30 minutes[2] |
| Country | United States |
| Languages |
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Plot edit
The opera follows pivotal moments in Zitkála-Šá's life, "as much as we could fit in 30 minutes."[2] Zitkála-Šá is depicted at four ages.[3]
Production edit
Development edit
Mináǧi kiŋ dowáŋ was composed and filmed by an all-Indigenous crew, primarily made up of women. The crew eliminated deadlines, interviewed Zitkála-Šá's descendants, and included Native ceremonies in meetings to decolonize the process.[3][4] Production lasted two years.[5]
About one third of the libretto are in Dakota language. It is considered the first opera with Dakota lyrics, although composer Jaakola notes: "I hesitate to say it’s the first — [because] how are you defining opera? Musical storytelling? Well, the Dakota people have been doing that for millennia."[3][6]
Jaakola was hesitant to work on the project until she was told it would be produced by an all-Indigenous cast and crew. Librettist Hannah Johnson captured Zitkála-Šá's poetic style. The music was rewritten after translation into Dakota because Dakota "doesn’t sing like English!"[7]
Šišóka Dúta (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate) of the University of Minnesota Dakota language program served as the lead translator of English to Dakota.[2]
Filming edit
The opera was filmed on-location around Minnesota, including locations in Prairie Island Indian Community.[3][4] Filming took place in the summer months of 2022.[5]
Cast edit
- Jaysalynn Western Boy (Prairie Island Indian Community Mdewakanton)[1][5]
- Lorna "Emmy" Her Many Horses (Siċaŋġu and Oglala Lakota, from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe), 30-year-old Zitkála-Šá[2][1]
- Jagger Ripley-Jaakola (Arikara/Anishinaabe/Santee descendant)[1]
- Adrienne Zimiga-January (Oglala Lakota), mature Zitkála-Šá[1][8]
Release edit
The film debuted at a free screening in Water Works Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 12, 2022. Following the debut were several free live performances at Indigenous Roots Cultural Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Live performances were accompanied by English translation closed captions and American Sign Language interpretation.[6] The film went on tour May 2023 with screenings at American Indian Magnet School, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Prairie Island Indian Community, Minnesota; Racing Magpie, Rapid City, South Dakota; Oglala Lakota ArtSpace, Pine Ridge, South Dakota; and Yankton Reservation, South Dakota.[1]
The initial release was accompanied by promotional literature such as coloring pages and short biographies featuring Zitkála-Šá. A behind the scenes production documentary by director Sequoia Hauck called "Making a Zitkála-Šá Opera" was released following wider film screenings.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Zitkála-Šá". an opera theatre. Archived from the original on 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
- ^ a b c d Kumaran, Nikhil (October 14, 2022). "New opera film celebrates Dakota activist and artist Zitkála-Šá". Sahan Journal. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "New Indigenous-Led Operatic Film Portrays the Life of Zitkála-Šá". Minnesota Women's Press. October 13, 2022. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ^ a b "Triple Threat". MSP Dispatch. 28 September 2022. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ a b c Thorud, Melissa (October 21, 2022). "Zitkala Sa Opera features Prairie Island resident". Republican Eagle. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "All-Indigenous Team Creates Operatic Film to Honor Zitkála-Šá - Minneapolis Riverfront News - Minneapolis Riverfront Neighborhoods". millcitytimes.com. Archived from the original on 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
- ^ "Why Indigenous creatives chose opera to celebrate a Dakota activist and artist". www.thecurrent.org. Archived from the original on 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ^ "Swipe to learn more about this weeks Q&A cast member Adrienne Zimiga-January (Oglala Lakota)..." Facebook. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2024.