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Where the Blood Mixes
Where the Blood Mixes is meant to expose the shadows below the surface of the author’s First Nations heritage, and to celebrate its survivors. Though torn down years ago, the memories of their Residential School still live deep inside the hearts of those who spent their childhoods there. For some, like Floyd, the legacy of that trauma has been passed down through families for generations. But what is the greater story, what lies untold beneath Floyd’s alcoholism, under the pain and isolation of the play’s main character?
Loring’s title was inspired by the mistranslation of the N’lakap’mux (Thompson) place name Kumsheen. For years, it was believed to mean the place where the rivers meet”the confluence of the muddy Fraser and the brilliant blue Thompson Rivers. A more accurate translation is: the place inside the heart where the blood mixes.” But Kumsheen also refers to a story: Coyote was disemboweled there, along a great cliff in an epic battle with a giant shape-shifting being that could transform the world with its powersto this day his intestines can still be seen strewn along the granite walls. In his rage the transformer tore Coyote apart and scattered his body across the nation, his heart landing in the place where the rivers meet.
Floyd is a man who has lost everyone he holds most dear. Now after more than two decades, his daughter Christine returns home to confront her father. Set during the salmon run, Where the Blood Mixes takes us to the bottom of the river, to the heart of a People.
In 2009 Where the Blood Mixes won the Jessie Richardson Award for Outstanding Original Script; the Sydney J. Risk Prize for Outstanding Original Script by an Emerging Playwright; and most recently the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama.
Loring’s title was inspired by the mistranslation of the N’lakap’mux (Thompson) place name Kumsheen. For years, it was believed to mean the place where the rivers meet”the confluence of the muddy Fraser and the brilliant blue Thompson Rivers. A more accurate translation is: the place inside the heart where the blood mixes.” But Kumsheen also refers to a story: Coyote was disemboweled there, along a great cliff in an epic battle with a giant shape-shifting being that could transform the world with its powersto this day his intestines can still be seen strewn along the granite walls. In his rage the transformer tore Coyote apart and scattered his body across the nation, his heart landing in the place where the rivers meet.
Floyd is a man who has lost everyone he holds most dear. Now after more than two decades, his daughter Christine returns home to confront her father. Set during the salmon run, Where the Blood Mixes takes us to the bottom of the river, to the heart of a People.
In 2009 Where the Blood Mixes won the Jessie Richardson Award for Outstanding Original Script; the Sydney J. Risk Prize for Outstanding Original Script by an Emerging Playwright; and most recently the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama.
96 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2009
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146 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Loring
7 books3 followersKevin Loring is a writer and actor whose play Where the Blood Mixes won the prestigious Canadian Governor General's Literary Award for Drama in 2009. Kevin is a member of the Nlaka'Pamux First Nation in British Columbia, and currently lives in Vancouver.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 13, 2020
Is Where the Blood Mixes a play worthy of a Governor General's award? -- Maybe, but ....
Why are you unsure? -- I don't know.
What's with the "but?" -- It's okay, but it's no Rez Sisters.
Is that fair? -- Probably not, but it's how I feel.
It's an important play. It is about residential schools; it is about the damage done to the First Nations in Canada. Isn't that enough? -- It probably should be. You're right.
Am I?
Why isn't that enough? -- Because ... well ... what if the Residential Schools still exist? What if they have just taken a different, more insidious form? What if Loring's Where the Blood Mixes seems to support that new, insidious form? I feel like it does, and it makes me uncomfortable. And I am a bi-white guy living a hetero-normative life, so how does what I think matter? And am I even right? I dunno. But it makes me pause, and it makes me wonder what Mr. Loring was thinking. You know what I mean?
I'm not sure I do.... -- well, there we are.
Why are you unsure? -- I don't know.
What's with the "but?" -- It's okay, but it's no Rez Sisters.
Is that fair? -- Probably not, but it's how I feel.
It's an important play. It is about residential schools; it is about the damage done to the First Nations in Canada. Isn't that enough? -- It probably should be. You're right.
Am I?
Why isn't that enough? -- Because ... well ... what if the Residential Schools still exist? What if they have just taken a different, more insidious form? What if Loring's Where the Blood Mixes seems to support that new, insidious form? I feel like it does, and it makes me uncomfortable. And I am a bi-white guy living a hetero-normative life, so how does what I think matter? And am I even right? I dunno. But it makes me pause, and it makes me wonder what Mr. Loring was thinking. You know what I mean?
I'm not sure I do.... -- well, there we are.
September 30, 2021
MOOCH
You know what was bullshit? All us kids locked up in that school only five minutes from home. I could look out the windows and see the smoke from the chimney of my house. Couldn’t run home though, or they’d put my parents in jail, in-it?
I could never figure out how come it was against the law to see my parents. I used to think I must have done something wrong.
(Loring, 58.)
*
Indigenous genocide is not in the past. We need to do better.
You know what was bullshit? All us kids locked up in that school only five minutes from home. I could look out the windows and see the smoke from the chimney of my house. Couldn’t run home though, or they’d put my parents in jail, in-it?
I could never figure out how come it was against the law to see my parents. I used to think I must have done something wrong.
(Loring, 58.)
*
Indigenous genocide is not in the past. We need to do better.
February 26, 2022
Where the Blood Mixes is a rare play that leaps visually off the page even beyond its dialogue. It’s the story of a family, a town, a community, just trying to stitch itself back together in the midst of colonial violence.
Christine’s homecoming drives the narrative, though feels like it does so with her as a side character. This is mostly a play about Floyd and Mooch—our realization at the multitudes they hold under a cheery veneer is a knife-twisting turning point. I would have liked both June and Christine to be a little more than supporting characters for them—I think it comes down to what we know about their background. It’s so rich for the men and a little hazy for the women. But this is a beautiful play that I wish I could see or find more images of, since so much of it becomes visual storytelling.
Christine’s homecoming drives the narrative, though feels like it does so with her as a side character. This is mostly a play about Floyd and Mooch—our realization at the multitudes they hold under a cheery veneer is a knife-twisting turning point. I would have liked both June and Christine to be a little more than supporting characters for them—I think it comes down to what we know about their background. It’s so rich for the men and a little hazy for the women. But this is a beautiful play that I wish I could see or find more images of, since so much of it becomes visual storytelling.
September 24, 2024
Really liked that ending scene with Mooch and June.
July 4, 2023
i read this for our play unit in english class during late may early june. given the serious topics discussed in the play, i wanted to say at first "its funny" but i know it isnt. its just the memories and individuals you can associate a piece of literary work with cant help but make me go on instinct, using the word 'funny'. i enjoyed reading this in class because i got to play mooch's wife june and everyone else who played a character suited the role; it was like, perfect casting. loved the distinction in everyone's voices when it came to conveying em0tions and the fear that was swept in certain individuals' minds when there came a swear word in the lines. the saying where you have to understand where you came from to know where youre going definitely applies to christine and her journey to meeting floyd and understanding how annas death led him and mooch and june into a whole depression spiral. i also loved this unit because we did not do as much work on this. there was some discussion in between but not a lot of written work. the only written work we did from this as i recalled was composing an eportfolio reflection. one thing that stood out to me was when i thought george the bartender, who is the only white character in this play was fat for some reason. there were definitely some other odd/silly thoughts going on in my head, if you know me irl dont hesitate to ask for a purely raw review on this from me.
April 30, 2024
Where The Blood Mixes
by Kevin Loring
In this powerful book, Loring shares many vulnerable topics which are entwined in the story.
Mooch, a character in this book, is a residential school survivor, along with Floyd, June, and Anna. Mooch’s character struggles with an alcohol addiction, he isn’t the only one as it is definitely a coping mechanism, which we see in Floyd’s character too.
Mooch steals money from his wife, June, who works hard every day just to provide for herself and Mooch.
“She’s gone, Edgar. You want to be with her? Then go. I don’t care! Go on then! You goddamn jackass. Jump!” – June (page 89)
“I cross this bridge every day.” – Mooch (Page 89)
People sometimes fail to see the truth behind another’s eyes. They choose to only believe what they see and not what is actually happening. Mooch had struggled with his abuse in residential school, and of course, this will be a memory that will never detach from him. Everyone in this story sees the way Mooch had been acting, with his drinking, stealing money, but everyone tried to ignore what he was actually feeling since no one wants to bring up those memories again, and feel the pain in the moment which will unfortunately never go away.
Now, let me discuss Floyd and his daughter Christine.
Floyd as I mentioned was also a residential school survivor, he on the only hand of Mooch, like to think the residential school experience for him wasn’t as terrible. He still struggled with the loss of his wife, Anna, who unfortunately ended her life. Anna and Floyd had a daughter named Christine, who got taken away due to the government stating that Floyd was “unfit” to be a parent, leaving Christine to leave her culture and home at a very young age.
As time goes on within their lives, Floyd struggles with the loss of his wife and the missing void of his daughter. As one day happens, Christine wanted to visit her dad and the town so she can rekindle the relationship which was lost and to connect with her culture.
She meets Floyd but realizes that he doesn’t seem to have any connection with their culture.
June, Mooches wife, shows Christine the story of the Coyote and the land which brings them love and community.
I believe this is a significant aspect in this novel to talk about as Floyd and Mooch got their identity stripped away from them, they had no chance to learn and embrace their culture after residential school had taken that away from them. The loss of the culture was an empty void for them to fill with the pain they endured through residential schools. Christine makes her way back to the place and culture she was taken away from, she reconnects with her ancestors and community.
This proves to us that even when something is stripped away from us, as hard as it may be, culture, identity, community, it can always make a comeback through other people and guidance. These are the strongest people.
by Kevin Loring
In this powerful book, Loring shares many vulnerable topics which are entwined in the story.
Mooch, a character in this book, is a residential school survivor, along with Floyd, June, and Anna. Mooch’s character struggles with an alcohol addiction, he isn’t the only one as it is definitely a coping mechanism, which we see in Floyd’s character too.
Mooch steals money from his wife, June, who works hard every day just to provide for herself and Mooch.
“She’s gone, Edgar. You want to be with her? Then go. I don’t care! Go on then! You goddamn jackass. Jump!” – June (page 89)
“I cross this bridge every day.” – Mooch (Page 89)
People sometimes fail to see the truth behind another’s eyes. They choose to only believe what they see and not what is actually happening. Mooch had struggled with his abuse in residential school, and of course, this will be a memory that will never detach from him. Everyone in this story sees the way Mooch had been acting, with his drinking, stealing money, but everyone tried to ignore what he was actually feeling since no one wants to bring up those memories again, and feel the pain in the moment which will unfortunately never go away.
Now, let me discuss Floyd and his daughter Christine.
Floyd as I mentioned was also a residential school survivor, he on the only hand of Mooch, like to think the residential school experience for him wasn’t as terrible. He still struggled with the loss of his wife, Anna, who unfortunately ended her life. Anna and Floyd had a daughter named Christine, who got taken away due to the government stating that Floyd was “unfit” to be a parent, leaving Christine to leave her culture and home at a very young age.
As time goes on within their lives, Floyd struggles with the loss of his wife and the missing void of his daughter. As one day happens, Christine wanted to visit her dad and the town so she can rekindle the relationship which was lost and to connect with her culture.
She meets Floyd but realizes that he doesn’t seem to have any connection with their culture.
June, Mooches wife, shows Christine the story of the Coyote and the land which brings them love and community.
I believe this is a significant aspect in this novel to talk about as Floyd and Mooch got their identity stripped away from them, they had no chance to learn and embrace their culture after residential school had taken that away from them. The loss of the culture was an empty void for them to fill with the pain they endured through residential schools. Christine makes her way back to the place and culture she was taken away from, she reconnects with her ancestors and community.
This proves to us that even when something is stripped away from us, as hard as it may be, culture, identity, community, it can always make a comeback through other people and guidance. These are the strongest people.
Read
May 6, 2024Sophia Richert, April 30, 2024
Where the Blood mixes by Kevin Loring is a very emotional and story filled book, the raw emotions that come out of each actor really helps the reader connect well with the piece, it draws you in and make you want to read even more to find out what is going to happen next.
“Shut up, just shut up and listen! I waited my whole life for you… I came looking for you, I found you and now I’m here, so now you’re going to listen to me” this quote is said by Christine after trying to talk to Floyd but he kept walking away, this plus so many quotes just show so much emotion and I never get emotional but while reading and listening to the play, I felt a lot, and it showed. I recently listen to this play in my English First peoples class, my teacher played this while my class and I followed along in the book, one of my friends actually read ahead and finished the book in one class and her and I got started talking and she kind of just broke down, I was very confused, as one would be, at the point I was barely a few pages into the book, I was trying to understand what had happened, she tried to explain what had happened but I just wasn't getting into the book, but as soon as I actually started reading I just wanted to read more, I got so hooked, is such an amazing read.
Throughout this powerful book, Loring shares many vulnerable topics, some extremely sad, and others very funny, Mooch (character in this book) is a residential school survivor, as well as Floyd, June, and Anna (other characters in the book) Mooch struggles with an alcohol addiction, and to pay for this addiction he steals money from his partner, June, who works extremely had every day to try and provides for herself as well as Mooch, but he isn’t the only one dealing with the trauma from residential schools. Floyd is struggled with losing Anna (his wife) who ended up ending her life, Christine (Floyd and Anna’s daughter) was taken away from Floyd because the government said that Floyd wasn't going to be able to raise Christine because they believed he wasn't ready and unfit to be a father, due to that Christine is taken away at a very young ago, which leaves her from not remembering her culture but as she grows up she wants to learn more about her past, Christine meets Floyd to learn about her culture and past but soon realizes that he doesn’t have any connection with their culture. Christine meets June, who happens to be Anna’s best friend and she learns more about her culture.
This book helps people understand the significance and heartbreak this indigenous people had to go through with the aftermath of it all, Kevin Loring wrote this beautiful piece that is full of humor yet so deep and raw, this read has helped me understand the things they went through.
Where the Blood mixes by Kevin Loring is a very emotional and story filled book, the raw emotions that come out of each actor really helps the reader connect well with the piece, it draws you in and make you want to read even more to find out what is going to happen next.
“Shut up, just shut up and listen! I waited my whole life for you… I came looking for you, I found you and now I’m here, so now you’re going to listen to me” this quote is said by Christine after trying to talk to Floyd but he kept walking away, this plus so many quotes just show so much emotion and I never get emotional but while reading and listening to the play, I felt a lot, and it showed. I recently listen to this play in my English First peoples class, my teacher played this while my class and I followed along in the book, one of my friends actually read ahead and finished the book in one class and her and I got started talking and she kind of just broke down, I was very confused, as one would be, at the point I was barely a few pages into the book, I was trying to understand what had happened, she tried to explain what had happened but I just wasn't getting into the book, but as soon as I actually started reading I just wanted to read more, I got so hooked, is such an amazing read.
Throughout this powerful book, Loring shares many vulnerable topics, some extremely sad, and others very funny, Mooch (character in this book) is a residential school survivor, as well as Floyd, June, and Anna (other characters in the book) Mooch struggles with an alcohol addiction, and to pay for this addiction he steals money from his partner, June, who works extremely had every day to try and provides for herself as well as Mooch, but he isn’t the only one dealing with the trauma from residential schools. Floyd is struggled with losing Anna (his wife) who ended up ending her life, Christine (Floyd and Anna’s daughter) was taken away from Floyd because the government said that Floyd wasn't going to be able to raise Christine because they believed he wasn't ready and unfit to be a father, due to that Christine is taken away at a very young ago, which leaves her from not remembering her culture but as she grows up she wants to learn more about her past, Christine meets Floyd to learn about her culture and past but soon realizes that he doesn’t have any connection with their culture. Christine meets June, who happens to be Anna’s best friend and she learns more about her culture.
This book helps people understand the significance and heartbreak this indigenous people had to go through with the aftermath of it all, Kevin Loring wrote this beautiful piece that is full of humor yet so deep and raw, this read has helped me understand the things they went through.
April 30, 2024
"Where the Blood Mixes" by Kevin Loring, is a powerful play that explores the lasting effects of the residential school system on Indigenous communities in Canada.
The storytelling is incredibly moving and he skillfully portrays the complex emotions and struggles faced by the characters. The play delves into themes of loss, healing, and the search for identity. It sheds light on the intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples and the importance of acknowledging and addressing this painful history.
The characters in "Where the Blood Mixes" are both heartbreaking and inspiring. The dialogue is authentic and the pacing keeps you engaged from start to finish. I feel the writing beautifully captures the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities while also highlighting the ongoing challenges they face.
One of the strengths of this play is its ability to educate and raise awareness about the history and experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada. I feel It encourages readers to reflect on their own understanding of the past and the impact it continues to have on present-day relationships.
Overall, "Where the Blood Mixes" is a compelling and important read that sheds light on a dark chapter in Canadian history. It is a testament to the resilience of Indigenous communities and a call to action for reconciliation and understanding. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring the complexities of Indigenous experiences.
The storytelling is incredibly moving and he skillfully portrays the complex emotions and struggles faced by the characters. The play delves into themes of loss, healing, and the search for identity. It sheds light on the intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples and the importance of acknowledging and addressing this painful history.
The characters in "Where the Blood Mixes" are both heartbreaking and inspiring. The dialogue is authentic and the pacing keeps you engaged from start to finish. I feel the writing beautifully captures the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities while also highlighting the ongoing challenges they face.
One of the strengths of this play is its ability to educate and raise awareness about the history and experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada. I feel It encourages readers to reflect on their own understanding of the past and the impact it continues to have on present-day relationships.
Overall, "Where the Blood Mixes" is a compelling and important read that sheds light on a dark chapter in Canadian history. It is a testament to the resilience of Indigenous communities and a call to action for reconciliation and understanding. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in exploring the complexities of Indigenous experiences.
Read
June 27, 2022A short play about Indigenous people struggling with the inter generational trauma caused by Canada’s residential school system. Settler Canadians have heard of residential schools now (unlike in the 70s and 80s when I was growing up) but the real horror and the scale of the system are still hard to comprehend. I enjoyed Loring’s use of salmon and sturgeon imagery to summon up Indigenous traditions as well as the suggestion of what’s profoundly hidden, dangerous, and powerful. I was also impressed that he wrote humor into his play, on such a challenging topic. Ultimately I finished the play wanting more—but I’m glad that this was written and produced, and that I got to read it.
April 8, 2022
A heartbreaking story about returning and generational trauma. Read this for school and was extremely surprised by how much I thoroughly enjoyed this play. If you're thinking about reading it please do, but allow yourself the time to dig deep and assess what you've read. There is so much in the book that may be overlooked unless you take the time to analyze it, and it's so amazing what hidden ideas could be packed in.
February 11, 2018
Had the privilege of seeing the play and meeting the author at a student acting camp at the NAC (Ottawa) in 2010. Beautiful, heartwrenching story about homecoming, the legacy of Residential School and family. It was the first piece of Indigenous literature I read and after that, it made me dig deeper and deeper.
December 21, 2019
Kevin Loring's painful tale of First Nations peoples surviving the traumatic aftermath of the residential school system is, without specifically saying anything about it, an indictment of the Canadian government's failure to properly compensate survivors. The play is written with passion and refreshingly open-ended. I'd love to see this produced.
December 7, 2023
Funny and also affecting and raw. I remember seeing this play back in 2009 and the monologue about sickness from June really sticking with me. It means more now having lived in Lytton and knowing how that community has been impacted by trauma, and also knowing that this community has been kicked down again by the wildfires a few years back and are still waiting for their homes to be rebuilt.
January 28, 2020
"You smell like home."
A wonderful play about Residential School Survivors and the traumatic aftermath that cascades down the generations. Some funny moments (The Sturgeon story), and some raw moments as the characters bond and reconnect. Worth the read.
A wonderful play about Residential School Survivors and the traumatic aftermath that cascades down the generations. Some funny moments (The Sturgeon story), and some raw moments as the characters bond and reconnect. Worth the read.
March 27, 2021
Love the rhetorics of metaphors, callbacks, repetition, and humour. Easy to get, and sometimes laugh myself in capturing those details the writer sets for the scene. The reconcile with the past (flashbacks, first-person narrations) is unfolded through the emergence of memories. Heart-felt touched.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2022
Gorgeous. GORGEOUS. This play discusses the trauma of Indigenous residential schools in a way that is poetic & courageous with even a little bit of humour. the visuals of this must really be something to behold. I would love to see this staged even though I’d ugly cry through chunks of it.
April 15, 2025
I finished this book in exactly 48 minutes
It was honestly really good, it was very heavy and evident on the topic of grief and so strongly portrayed the consequences of the residential schools, its unfortunate to see that indigenous still have generational trauma because of what happened
It was honestly really good, it was very heavy and evident on the topic of grief and so strongly portrayed the consequences of the residential schools, its unfortunate to see that indigenous still have generational trauma because of what happened
September 12, 2025
An interesting and heartbreaking play when you have the chance to slow down and understand the deeper meaning within the dialogue. Touching on the atrocities inflicted on indigenous people in British Columbia, Canada. An important play for history. Great play!
October 11, 2018
3.5. Plays are not my favourite to read (I’d rather watch a live show) but this play hits on important issues (Residential schools, reconciliation, alcoholism)
October 8, 2020
3,5
Great play! Loved the characters and it discuss important Indigenous issues. Would love to see it live one day.
Great play! Loved the characters and it discuss important Indigenous issues. Would love to see it live one day.
April 1, 2021
3.5
It was funny and dealt with heavy topics really well, I just couldn't seem to get particularly attached to it.
It was funny and dealt with heavy topics really well, I just couldn't seem to get particularly attached to it.
November 15, 2021
thought this was required reading and plays aren’t my thing, this was exceptional.
November 23, 2023
I'm disappointed. I liked the concept, but it was wayyyy to short to get attached to any of the characters, and to truly understand them and their stories. It felt incomplete and too fast.
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December 11, 2023*Listened to audio production*
October 23, 2024
ending?? 💀💀🙏
November 12, 2024
3.5 stars!! i wanna watch the stage production!!
February 12, 2025
clear, simple, elegant, bittersweet, human. impactful metaphors without being heavy-handed. loring manages to draw on collective traumas and imagery without being essentializing.
February 19, 2025
Crying this is so perfect
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November 17, 2025Assigned reading counts as reading!!! Hopefully this isn't the only 'book' I finish in November!
January 1, 2024
go girl give us nothing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews