Women of the Fur Trade

  • Finalist for the 2023 Indigenous Voices Award for Published Prose in English and Winner of the 2018 Toronto Fringe Best New Play Contest

    In eighteen hundred and something something, somewhere upon the banks of a Reddish River in Treaty One Territory, three very different women with a preference for twenty-first century slang sit in a fort sharing their views on life, love, and the hot nerd Louis Riel.

    Marie-Angelique, a Metis Taurus, is determined to woo Louis (a Metis Libra)—who will be arriving soon—by sending him boldly flirtatious letters. Eugenia, an Ojibwe Sagittarius, brings news of rebellion back to the fort after trading, but isn’t impressed by Louis’s true mediocre nature. And Cecilia, a pregnant British Virgo, is anxiously waiting on her husband’s return from an expedition, but can’t resist pining over the heartthrob Thomas Scott (Irish Capricorn), who is actually the one secretly responding to Marie-Angelique’s letters. This will all go smoothly, right?

    Updated after its sold-out run at the Stratford Festival and with a brand-new study guide, this lively historical satire of survival and cultural inheritance shifts perspectives from the male gaze onto women’s power in the past and present through the lens of the rapidly changing world of the Canadian fur trade. (Description from Playwrights Canada)

  • Frances Končan is a Two-Spirit director, playwright, and actor of mixed Anishinaabe and Slovene descent. Originally hailing from Couchiching First Nation, she now lives and works in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Končan is a winner of the REVEAL Indigenous Arts Award and the Winnipeg Arts Council's 2017 RBC On the Rise Award. Women of the Fur Trade won the Toronto Fringe Festival Best New Play award in 2018. Končan is known for her use of humour to tackle the difficult chapters of Indigenous history while also celebrating the wit, the pride, and the power of Indigenous women. (Description from National Arts Centre

  • Reconciliation Theatre Society has always strived to uplift and highlight marginalized communities through the power of performance.

    By selecting this play created by an Indigenous woman, and selecting our very own talented female leader to be the director, we are practicing what we preach and putting our underserved communities first.

    We are so excited to bring this production to various theatres across Vancouver Island, and hope you will help make our Summer 2026 Touring Production one for the books!

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Our Incredible Cast & Crew

Photo of Lisa from the shoulders up with no background. She is smiling, and has medium length brown hair and blue eyes. She is weather a grey top and a necklace.

Lisa Rokeby

How did you get involved in RTS?

My partner and I created Reconciliation Theatre with our group of friends.  We began by gathering together in our home to read plays by indigenous writers and directors.  Over time, we knew that we wanted to produce these plays on stage and it grew from there.

How long have you been in theatre/performing/on stage?

I loved watching theatre as a child with my mom.  Thank you to my music and drama teachers who took a risk and let me play on stage throughout my childhood and teen years. Their encouragement led me to become a music teacher to keep the creativity going.

What is your favorite pre-show habit?

Pacing and brushing my teeth.  Its a nervous habit, but it helps!

Why should someone come out and support RTS/Women of the Fur Trade?

Part of my reconciliation challenge is to re-learn history from the voices of those who were silenced.  Many of us learned about the fur trade and the Red River Rebellion.  But now we can hear stories from the women who were there.  We all know Louis Riel.  But in this story, he is NOT the main character.  Come watch as we uplift women's voices and revive the matriarchy.

Director
A photo of Tom standing with his arms crossed over his chest in front of a white background. He is wearing a gray sweater and an orange shirt underneath. He is smiling and is wearing glasses. He has gray hair and a gray beard and moustache.

Tom Rokeby (he/him)

Producer
A photo of Daniel from the shoulders up in front of a navy blue background. He is smiling and wearing a navy blue shirt and a necklace. He has short brown hair and a brown moustache. 
Actor - Louis Riel

Daniel Kingshott (he/him)

Daniel Kingshott started stage work with one of the directors of (RTS) in highschool playing Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, and Rooster in Annie. He has a passion for people and a caring heart with a sense of humor which led him into the healing arts.....Robin Williams and Jim Carey, I'm your biggest fan!

He made appearances in Fiddler on the roof, Rent, La Cage Aux Folles, and The Little Mermaid.He also played Porthos in The Three Musketeers (NTG). Daniel is very excited to play Louis Riel, a Metis catholic, which he shares some similarities. Daniel is from Metlakatla-- Gispudwada (also spelled Gisbutwada or Gispewudwade) is the Killer Whale (Blackfish) clan (father side) and British/Irish/Italian (mother side). Come see the Woman of the Fur Trade if you ar into handsome men with a great moustache!! Au revoir!! Xoxo

Photo of Kelly from the shoulders up with a white background. She is smiling and wearing a plain black shirt. She has long light brown/blonde hair, blue eyes and freckles.

Kelly Rowlands (she/her)

How did you get involved with RTS?

After a long break from performing and  and several moves I was hoping to reconnect with theatre in a new community. I researched every opportunity available to pursue that goal and came across RTS. Their initiatives and projects over the past few years have strongly resonated with me and when I saw the call for Women of the Fur Trade I knew it was time to finally reach out and see if there might be an opportunity for me to participate in bringing this show to the stage. 

How long have you been in theatre/performing/on stage?

If directing and starring in renditions of musicals for my family in our living room counts then pretty much as long as I can remember. 

What is your favorite pre-show habit?

I love a good playlist and usually build one inspired by the show for pre-show listening. 

Why should someone come see WofFT?

This script had me from the very first read. I loved it and felt an immediate connection to the material. I laughed and cried just reading through it, even the stage directions are compelling. I know you will leave the theatre with something meaningful as well, whether it be some much needed laughter or deeper questioning, learning and understanding. 

Actor - Eugenia

Talela Manson

Focused, approachable, and driven by results, our sales manager is all about building strong relationships. They help connect people to the right solutions—with clarity and care.

Actor - Cecilia
A photo of Autumn from the shoulders up in front of a brown background. She is wearing a white shirt and blue overalls and a white bandana on her head. She is smiling and has long braided brown hair and brown eyes. 
Actor - Marie-Angélique

Autumn Olenick (she/her)

Autumn is delighted to be a part of Women of the Fur Trade, where she takes on the role of Marie-Angélique. This marks her debut with Reconciliation Theatre, and she has greatly enjoyed collaborating with such a supportive and talented cast and crew. Autumn is heading into her third year in the Education program at Vancouver Island University, working toward her goal of becoming a teacher.

As a member of the Nlaka’pamux First Nation, Autumn is passionate about continuing to learn and deepen her understanding of Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and ways of being. She is grateful to be part of a production that creates space for Indigenous stories and voices, and she hopes to carry these learnings forward into both her artistic and future teaching practice.

A photo of Jesse from the chest up in front of a blurred background. He has a neutral expression and has light brown hair and a brown beard and moustache. He is wearing a coral tank top and a necklace.

Jesse Wilson (he/him)

Actor - Thomas Scott

How did you get involved in RTS?

I joined Berlin Blues by Drew Hayden Taylor back in 2023, and have been a part of the summer tour ever since

How long have you been in theatre/performing/on stage?

I started performing in high school, continued while at VIU taking theatre and creative writing, and have been performing all over the island since 2016.

What is your favorite pre-show habit?

Slight personal warm ups, tongue twisters, water

Why should someone come out and support RTS?

RTS is a great supporter of all the arts in general, and I love putting a spotlight on voices and cultures that don't necessarily get the representation they deserve

Bonus question: Why should someone come out and see Women of the Fur Trade?

While it tells the real history of Canada through a highly satirical lens, it also gives a lot of power to women, our talented artists and the women of Colonial Canada

A photo of Brittany available a white brick background from the shoulders up. She is facing the camera at an angle and has dark blue and purple hair, blue eyes, and is wearing black framed glasses. She is wearing a gray t-shirt.

Brittany Gueulette (she/her)

How did you get involved with RTS?

I had the wonderful fortune of being hired on as the Stage Manager for this past October's Halloween Spooktacular and simply fell in love with RTS and the wonderful community here!

How long have you been in theatre/performing/onstage?

I have been involved in local theatre both back stage and on stage for over 13 years now, primarily with Nanaimo Theatre Group, but also Nanaimo Fringe, RTS and even behind the scenes on my fair share of film sets.

What is your favorite pre-show habit? (i.e. hype music, drink lots of water, yodeling, etc.)

As an SM I have 2 very important things to do before showtime, read through my notes and make sure I have a sufficient supply of booth-candy on hand.

Why should someone come out and see WofTFT?

Aside from the INCREDIBLE cast, the talented designers, hardworking crew and amazing stage direction? This show is powerful, funny and tells an important story about the untold women of Canada's history, it's simply a must-see production.

Stage Manager
A photo of Damon from the shoulders up in front of a white background. He is wearing a black shirt, has dark brown hair and eyes, and is smiling. 
Assistant Stage Manager

Damon Mitchell (he/him)

How did you get involved in RTS?

In the early days of RTS, I attended it's play reading circles. When we eventually became a society, I became one of it's directors.

How long have you been in theatre/performing/on stage?

Creeping into 10 years, now. I grew interested in theatre during highschool, but I didn't act on that interest until my grade 12 year, and have not stopped since.

What is your favorite pre-show habit?

Goofing off with whichever of my friends is apart of a show. (Within reason, of course.)

Why should someone come out and support RTS?

RTS is a great supporter of all the arts in general, and I love putting a spotlight on voices and cultures that don't necessarily get the representation they deserve

Bonus question: Why should someone come out and see Women of the Fur Trade?

2 reasons.

1. It's such a fun play. Even during readings, I can't help but snicker at some of the dialogue.

2. Many folks in this production are working hard to put this show on the figurative and literal road, i'd love nothing more than to see people come and support that hard work.

Nathan Rokeby

With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. They set the tone for everything we do.

Running Crew

Sam Caul

Focused, approachable, and driven by results, our sales manager is all about building strong relationships. They help connect people to the right solutions—with clarity and care.

Costumes
A photo of Sierra from the chest up in front of a gray background. She has her elbow propped up on a table and is touching her face. She has light red/pink hair and light colored eyes. She is wearing a brown tank top. 
Props

Sierra Clark (she/her)

How did you get involved in RTS?

Tom Rokeby- the current artistic director is a dear friend and previously my drama/theatre teacher in highschool. A few years ago he bumped into my mom at the store and told her about what RTS was and what they were doing followed by telling her that I should get involved.

The rest is history.

How long have you been in theatre/performing/on stage?

Roughly 12 years.

What is your favorite pre-show habit?

I adore pre-show antics and goofing around especially when it is followed by a quick 180 into being serious on stage.

Why should someone come out and support RTS?

You aren’t just supporting a group of random people when you come to our events. You are supporting your own community, and therefore yourself. The worst thing you can do in life is nothing- so take the time to come be with us so we are all not doing nothing together.

Franklin Rokeby

With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. They set the tone for everything we do.

Lighting

William Mahoney (he/him)

How did you get involved in RTS?

Through Autumn.

How long have you been in theatre/performing/on stage?

Since 8th grade. I took theatre and have now continued that habit of trying be involved in it.

What is your favorite pre-show habit?

Hitting the gritty

Why should someone come out and support RTS?

Because it is funny, relevant to this day, and made by local artists.

Sound