The Rez Sisters: A Play in Two Acts

by Tomson Highway

Winner of the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Best New Play

Nominated for the Governor General's Award

This award-winning play by Native playwright Tomson Highway is a powerful and moving portrayal of seven women from a reserve attempting to beat the odds by winning at bingo. And not just any bingo. It is THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD and a chance to win a way out of a tortured life.

The Rez Sisters is hilarious, shocking, mystical and powerful, and clearly establishes the creative voice of Native theatre and writing in Canada today.

Genres: Plays, Indigenous, Canada, Drama, Fiction, Theatre, School

118 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 1988

About the author

In the six decades since he was born in a tent in the bush of northernmost Manitoba, Tomson Highway has traveled many paths and been called by many names. Residential school survivor, classical pianist, social worker and, since the 1980s, playwright, librettist, novelist and children's author.

He is fluent in French, English and his native Cree. In 1994 he was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada -- the first Aboriginal writer to receive that honour. In 2000, Maclean's magazine named him one of the 100 most important people in Canadian history.

He currently resides in Toronto.

Reviews

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder · Rating 5 out of 5]

September 30, 2021 Update One day free livestream of The Rez Sisters as filmed at the 2021 Stratford Festival Canada available at https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/virt... (requires registration for viewing, 24 hour limited viewing window)

Rez Sisters Revival
Review of the Fifth House Publishers paperback edition (1992)


Photograph of the Tom Patterson Theatre canopy stage prior to the opening of "The Rez Sisters" production at the Stratford Festival 2021, Stratford, Ontario, Canada. Photograph courtesy of Jaan Pill on Twitter.

I went with a dear friend to celebrate their birthday with a road trip to Stratford, Ontario to attend a live performance of Tomson Highway's The Rez Sisters on its closing day in August 2021. It was our first live theatre in 18 months (actually the first live anything, since I wouldn't count movies as 'live'). The stage was outdoors under a canopy as pictured above and the audience was somewhat socially distanced with selected groupings of chairs not touching each other. We were required to wear masks however, which wasn't that onerous.

Tomson Highway is a beloved Canadian playwright, author and musician of Cree origin and pre-pandemic we had attended a few of his music-cabaret shows at Théâtre français de Toronto and Koerner Hall at the Conservatory of Music. The Rez Sisters (1st performed 1986, published 1988) was his breakthrough work. It portrays a group of 7 women, related by blood or marriage or adoption, at the fictitious Wasaychigan Hill First Nation on Manitoulin Island, several hours drive north of Toronto. The women become fixated on attending the Biggest Bingo in the World in Toronto where there is a $500,000 top prize. The play has them voice their dreams and hopes, their plans for how to spend their winnings, raising money for the trip, the journey and the return back home to Wasy.

The Stratford cast and crew did a fabulous job of presenting the work using the limited means of an outdoor stage without an excessive use of props and equipment. Reading the play afterwards in this paperback edition really brought home the performance aspect of a playscript where gifted actors can embody and bring to life the words on the page.

As a bonus, when we were exiting the canopy theatre, we chanced to spot the author Tomson Highway himself chatting with folks at the exit. My friend waved enthusiastically at him and, everyone being masked, he couldn't be sure whether he knew us or not so he greeted her with "I don't recognize you with your mask on!" and she answered with "You don't know me! But I know you!" and we then had a friendly quick chat about how we have enjoyed his work in the past. He was as funny and charming in person as he always has been at his performances. As a further bonus, we discovered that his autobiography Permanent Astonishment: A Memoir will be published in late September 2021.

Trivia and Links
Canada's Stratford Festival filmed all of its 2021 productions for later pay-per-view streaming ($20 Cdn. per stream). The film of The Rez Sisters will premiere on September 30, 2021 and will be streamed periodically until November 21, 2021. See further information at https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/land...

The Stratford Festival 2021 Production page for its performances (July 23 - August 21, 2021) of The Rez Sisters is available at https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/What...

The program book for the production is available as a pdf file at https://cdscloud.stratfordfestival.ca...

Jessica Carmichael, director of the 2021 production presents a resource page of relevant reading and listening as a pdf file at https://cdscloud.stratfordfestival.ca...

The music playlist is also available at Spotify https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4OI...

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked The Rez Sisters because I have read an other book by Tomson Highway called, Kiss of the Fur Queen. And I also heard a review of another one of his books called, Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing another play by Tomson Highway. His novel and review were very interesting. I wanted to read The Rez Sisters.

Summary/Overview of book
The play spans a summer in 1986, when seven women decide to travel to Toronto to participate in "THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD." Each woman offers the reader a different attitude toward life on the reservation and their individual dreams of escaping it. From Pelajia Patchnose, who hopes to win enough money to bring paved roads to ''Wasy'' the rez, to Emily Dictionary, an ex-biker whose rough-and-ready outlook creates some friction in the group, these characters display the natural desire to rise above their surroundings and create a better world for themselves and their children. The Rez Sisters was a realistic portrayal of Native personalities. The seven women are humorous, shocking and powerful, Highway creates a contemporary Native voice full of power and emotion. The anticipation of the bingo drives the women into a frenzy, however they raise enough money to make the trip which is full of trials and tribulations.
Specific quotes from text
Marie-Adele: " We have got to find out for sure."
Annie: " You've got to listen to this." [Annie reads her letter] Dear Mom: Here is the record you wanted. I thought you'd like the picture of Patsy Cline on the cover. Annie shows off her record. See ?

It's Patsy Cline. Returns to her letter. I also thought you might like to know that there is a bingo called THE BIGGEST BINGO OF THE WORLD. Can you fu...ture that?
Emily: "Who has been looking over Annie's shoulder. Feature, Feature.
Annie: " Can you ...Feature...that? That's coming to Toronto. The Jackpot is $500,000. It's on Saturday, September 8th. Raymond's Mom was in Toronto. Aunt Philomena will hit the roof when she hears this. Much love your daughter Ellen."
Veronique: " So it's true! It's true! ... My new stove!"
Philomena: "My new toilet!"
Pelajia: "...I'm gonna that old chief to shame an build me a me a nice paved road right here in front of my house. Jet black. Shiny. Make my lawn look real nice...And if that chief don't wanna make paved roads for all my sisters around here...I'm packing my bags and moving to Toronto."
My questions, inferences, visual images, thoughts, reactions, feelings, opinions
Wow, I know the feeling! I think that rez life can get us real depressed, but these women have so much strength and resilience. I like how they scrap and when it is over they are all still friends. It is so true about the "Chiefs" or so it seems, but I think mainly they do not get enough support from the government to pave roads or even support special events, like the bingo. The contemporary Native shines through in this play, The Rez Sisters. The way the women try to wrestle with Native tradition and dream of better futures is a reality today in First Nation communities. They worked so hard fund raising for the bingo, The Rez Sisters not just about going to a bingo game, it is about love, compassion and the struggle in life.
Re evaluating the story with reference to value, ideals, beliefs and/or institutions of Aboriginal peoples.

Throughout the story of the group of seven women, interwoven into the play is the trickster, who represents the part human part mythical Nanabosho. He/she is seen as a bird and as the Bingo Master. The death of Marie-Adele is foreshadowed from the beginning of the story.
My transformed thoughts: What is not written in the story but now I am thinking about...
This is a style of Highway's, to parallel Christianity and Native Spiritualism. It seems that this conflict is a belief in most Native communities, it is a struggle to embrace another peoples faith, but I believe that it is even harder to abandon your own. The foundation is too strong. The women are confused perhaps in an identity crises in deity's, however Marie-Adele's faith remained strong to the end. I see this as symbolic to the times and continues today, Native culture and traditions are coming to the forefront in all aspects of society their is Native culture or issues pertaining to Native People. Teens would love this play, I think that I would call The Rez Sisters a Native classic!

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this play years ago, and didn't enjoy it at the time. Not sure why...maybe I needed to mature a little to fully appreciate and understand it. Then, I recently read it again before I went to see a live theatre production. I really enjoyed reading it the second time; This time I understood the characters, their struggles, the sadness and the humour....and seeing it performed live really added another layer...it came alive! It was written 30 years ago but, sadly, still relevant today. A brilliant play by Tomson Highway...recommended reading...and if readers have an opportunity to see a live performance, I encourage you to attend!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun cast of characters!

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really had a hard time connecting with the humour in this play. The character of Zhaboonigan's traumatic experience was difficult to read and I was under-impressed by Highway's development of her character, she came across as childish and was left out of the central narrative.

[Dasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this play and can only wish to see it performed. It's such an interesting expression of culture, family, and grief. The comments on the quality of roads on the reservation, the worry over child protective services, and Nanabush disguised as the bingo master make for such interesting expressions of indigeneity in the modern era.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for school and it was actually kind of okay/good.
Finally a play that was fast paced and dealt with a lot of things, such as death, rape etc.
I am excited to deep further into this play ( in class ) and maybe even play this play.
I enjoyed it.

[ianridewood is on Storygraph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glittering, hilarious, and poignant: the Rez Sisters have an energy seldom found in literature, and a depth seldom searched in two short acts.
My favourite part is when a member of the audience wins $20 at bingo.

[Razan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this play. Definitely not a book I would've picked up if it weren't required for school, but I still really liked it. I'm glad I gave it a chance :)!

[Garron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomson Highway's (a Cree playwright) The Rez Sisters is a must read for anyone who works within Canadian literature/education. The play occurs in two short acts that move between Wasaychigan Hill Indian reserve and Toronto. Highways's work was inspired by Michel Tremblay's play Les Belles-soeurs--a great piece of Quebecois writing--, which it mirrors through its plot being driven by the hopes and dreams of seven first nation women living on a reserve reserve. It creates vivid imagery that mirrors small town/reserve living allowing a glimpse into the hardships and lifestyles that are found throughout first-nation reserves and culture.
In terms of reading level, it is quite an easy, but it has a tremendous amount of themes and ideas throughout its undercurrent that require a higher level of analysis and skill to interrupt. The play deals with many important topics that need to be addressed in our current society about the treatment of first nations, and especially first nation women, in Canada. Topics covered within this text are sexual abuse, poverty, sickness, child abuse, alcoholism, and feminism.
I highly recommend this book. Even it is not your cup of tea, it explores a field that all Canadians should be working to understanding.

Warning: this book is a great text to cover in a High School class, but it will need some warnings and a build up before you work through it with your class. I suggest this to be used as a resource in in Grade 12 or 11 depending on the maturity of your class.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I've read some of Highway's picture books before, but this is my first time reading any of his plays. I'm glad I gave it a go!

I enjoyed the rapid-fire dialogue between the sisters and the way we get to see their love for each other alongside all the issues they have. Life is complicated, family is complicated, relationships are complicated. This play shows that. Many of the characters had entertaining quirks that made them interesting to follow. The quick pace makes it a fast read. I didn't love how it dealt with intellectual disability (but it was also the 80s) and I didn't love how it dealt with sexual assault (but it was by a man), so that hindered my overall enjoyment, but I was willing to work with what it had to offer. I definitely feel like this is one of those plays that would really shine a lot more on the stage as opposed to just reading it.

Overall though, I did enjoy this, I'm glad I decided to read it, and I'd be interested in reading more of Highway's plays after this. Recommended!

[Kasia Budzik · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5/5

[veronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for friendship and sisterhood

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impeccable

[Bella Dufresne]

I think this would be much better performed because some of the dialogue and stage directions were confusing me. I don’t think I would ever teach it unless there was a performance happening because it’s just so inaccessible. Please give us a recorded performance or even an audiobook 🙏🙏🙏

[kaelan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this one, although I expect that it'd work better on the stage than on the page.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me longer than it should have to finish this play.

While there are many brilliant things about this play, I did not finding myself wanting to pick it up and instead put it on the back burner.

The play is very fast paced and, as a result, I feel like I am "missing something" after finishing it. I want more character development, a thicker plot, and closure when it comes to some of the darker story lines which include a rape and several deaths.

Many parts of this play are very clever and thought out, but others feel too rushed to fully absorb.

On the other hand, there are many great themes and realities depicted in the play. There are also some great characters who I wish I could learn more about. I feel like this might be a play you need to see in person in order to fully understand it.

It is likely I will eventually read this play again to see if I can develop a firmer grasp on what Highway is delivering.

[Herb · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like the Rizz Sisters, am I right boys?

[murmurelabaleine · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pelajia hammers as she crawls across the floor, hammering everything in sight. The women protect their poor feet.
Zhaboonigan washes windows even faster; she's starting to cry.
Emily and Philomena work together filling the empty beer cases as fast as they can. Emily runs to the register, rings in seven sales and sings a bit of song with Annie, better this time. Philomena now has four kids attached to her body.
Annie comes on with a small black and white TV with rabbit ears and an old toaster.
Veronique comes on with six dozen buns and dumps them out of their tins all over the table.
Pelajia hammers faster and faster.
Zhaboonigan is now working like a maniac and is sobbing.
Marie-Adèle strings seventh and eight lines of laundry across the stage. "

An amazing play about dreams and survival as seven Indian women.

[Laura (Reading is a Doing Word) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another interesting choice for #12PlaysIn12Months an another play I'd never otherwise have come across.
Set in a reservation in Canada, it follows the friendships and fortunes of seven women trying to break free from various limitations they experience in Reservation life. They aim to do so by going to Toronto to "The Biggest Bingo in the World!"
This was a slightly hectic read as there are quite a few frenetic scenes, but ones that would be great to see on stage. I loved the contrasts between the women and how they all had their little niggles and arguments, but ultimately banded together. There is a spiritual/mythical figure present throughout, foreshadowing some events and representing the culture and beliefs of the women, which are being eroded.
As an insight into life on a Reservation and the hopes and aspirations of a group of individual and feisty women, I enjoyed this and would love to see it live.

[Steph Rachkewich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an assigned read in university that I rushed through and found little value in. I'm incredibly glad I chose to open it again as I see my own journey in how much the story resonated with me 4 years later. The serious lines hidden in the chaos are so poignant, I had to stop to take a breath more than once. Great read.

[Madelin Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I’m not someone who enjoys plays as much as the next person. ’m also someone who doesn’t enjoy comedies as much as the next person, but Rez Sisters completely broke those opinions. Highway uses comedy to highlight Indigenous Women’s issues in Canada in a way that becomes so heartbreaking as you learn to love and care for these characters, which I promise you will.

[Cesco · Rating 1 out of 5]

A 1 star for me is literally a DNF i only finished this because I had to read it for school but it’s a total waste of time and nothing worth while happens. I don’t really like plays so maybe that’s what I couldn’t get behind but the only good part of this was the characters cussing each other out.

[kp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb play, funny and sad, sometimes in the same moment, and brimming with life and stagecraft.

[Roxanne Bedard-Saucier · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5*

[Ellie Wakefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

also for english class

[Emma (chaoticbookgremlin) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Read for a class

[Macy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strikingly funny yet tender in all the right places. I particularly loved the stage directions and audience-wide bingo, however I didn't feel very personally compelled overall.

[Darlene Jilks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny short play by a bunch of native women hoping to win bingo and what they do to get to Toronto to play the big game,,,,funny women.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think about this play often and the discussions we had around it in my Women in Drama English class. It was pretty awesome!