Tuesday, 22 July 2025

[VIDEO] Évangéline: A Renewed Perspective Rooted in Indigenous Land

In this new staging of Évangéline | The Musical, director Jean-Jacques Pillet wanted to do more than recount a historical event — he chose to reposition the story on Indigenous land, where it all began, long before colonization.

“Before the arrival of the colonists, the Mi’kmaq were already present on these lands. It was essential for me to reflect this reality in the production,” he explains.

This Indigenous presence shines through, notably in the character of Hanoah, portrayed by Océane Kitura Bohémier-Tootoo, an actress and singer from Indigenous communities. Choreography, visual design, and even the spiritual connection to nature deepen the narrative, offering audiences a powerful and moving experience.

Beyond the story of the Deportation, Évangéline pays tribute to the essential alliance between Indigenous peoples and the Acadians — an homage to those without whom the French presence in North America might have vanished.

Discover Jean-Jacques Pillet’s vision in this exclusive video!