A Regina musical is celebrating diversity by blending Indigenous, Latin American and African cultures into one. The play explores the meaning of truth and reconciliation by connecting the three different nationalities through music and dance. As part of this year’s Multicultural Musical Fusion in Saskatchewan, the Latinos en Regina Association has produced an original musical play called Boitatá. “We try to encourage and embrace all the history, the people that we left behind ... to send a powerful message to all of the crowd regarding truth and reconciliation,” explained Romina Rinaldi, president of the Latinos en Regina Association. The musical focuses on a mystical serpent who guards a sacred bridge that maintains the balance between life, death and happiness. One day a powerful wind rises, representing the challenges brought by hatred, intolerance, harassment, and a lack of understanding. Through music and dance of First Nations, Latin American, and African cultures, the lesson of community being more powerful than individual strength is later revealed. “A beautiful storyline about our people, about their people ... working together, walking together in truth and reconciliation,” said Phyllis Littletent, First Nations Cultural Lead and co-producer. “Getting our children together as we’re trying to teach them how to love one another, share cultures with one another, work with one another, and love one another.” The mix of the three different nationalities also help deliver the message of love and cooperation, Littletent added, saying both are important teachings passed on by Elders. “It’s allowing us to walk together in truth and reconciliation by working together and sharing cultures together, song, dance through arts and music,” Littletent said. “All of us have different types of talents, and we’re bringing them all together in one to be in one unity, to respect one another in each others cultures.” For the past five months, around 120 people from across Saskatchewan have been putting together and rehearsing the play – including performers and volunteers. This is Multicultural Musical Fusion’s third annual production. Rinaldi said the storyline highlights the rich heritage of South American Andean music and Mexican mariachi in collaboration with First Nations and African cultural traditions. “This is a mix, a mix of different cultures. We want to share our diversity through this show,” she expressed. “That means a lot to us because in Regina we have so many people that come from different cultures, different countries. I think this is a great opportunity that we can mix up all the cultures [because] that is what the Latinos en Regina Association is about.” The event happened at Regina Performing Arts Centre on Nov. 1. It was sponsored by SaskCulture, CBC, SaskTel, Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan, Sask Lotteries, among other local businesses.
