Cherish Violet Blood, Image by Andy Moro
Deer Woman
by Tara Beagan | Digital
A warrior woman, an act of righteous vengeance
An ARTICLE 11 production in partnership with Downstage
“My name is Lila and I am a proud Blackfoot woman. What I am doing is illegal.”
Lila is a big sister whose little one was stolen. She is the daughter of a hunter who taught her all he knew. She’s ex-army, but can’t seem to leave all that training behind. Circumstances converge and Lila finds the perfect opportunity to avenge her younger sister’s murder while exercising the skills the Canadian government trained into her.
Deer Woman tells the story of one young, missing and murdered girl in a country where over 1,600 Indigenous women and girls are officially recognized as being missing or murdered.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“Seeing Deer Woman struck me to my core. As a survivor of many abuses myself and having to write and post a MISSING poster for my little sister, the story was felt viscerally, as it reflected a painful reality for too many Indigenous women today and for centuries before. This story gave voice to those who are missing their beloveds, knowing that their perpetrator/murderer continues on in their behavior causing endless pain to countless others. The rawness of this story still moves me to tears and will continue to live with me. I am shaken, I am haunted, I am touched, I am grateful for Deer Woman and the very courageous and talented work of Tara Beagan and Andy Moro.” -Ashley Bomberry, Haudenosaunee artist
"Deer Woman pushes the boundaries of staged story telling with its grotesque depiction of the lengths humanity will go to when facing severe trauma. Deer Woman questions what we are capable of doing when good intentions can lead to a path of dehumanization and ultimately questions morality.”
- Samantha Brown, emerging Anishnaabe actor/playwright
“Tara Beagan is a vital voice in our community. Deer Woman is a highly provocative piece, filled with a rage often hidden from public view, which leaves an audience to wrestle with complex questions around violence, complicity, and forgiveness.”
– Keith Barker, AD of Native Earth Performing Arts
“Deer Woman is a work of immense power.” - Caroline Wake Timeout
“It’s not often you go to the theatre and are so enthralled” - Rachael Maza, AD of ILBIJERRI Theatre
“…pulsing with life, purpose and earth-shattering questions.” - Debbie Zhou, Audrey Journal
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