© Geneviève Giguère
A member of the Huron-Wendat nation, Yves Sioui Durand is a writer, playwright, actor, director and filmmaker. His quest for a specifically Amerindian theatre rooted in First Nations myths and history led him to found Ondinnok Productions, whose example has inspired the creation of other companies.
Recognized for his commitment to transmitting his ancestors’ cultural legacy to new generations, he calls for a First Nations cultural reconstruction through art.
Yves Sioui Durand was appointed to the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec at a special awards ceremony held on May 28, 2018 This link will open in a new window. Arakwa Siouï (CDFM huron-wendat) translated the tribute in Wendat, as closely as possible:
Yves Sioui-Durand Wendake ethawehtih. Wendat ondae’. Hahiatonhk, haronhkha’ chia’ hayonahrony. Ahahiaton’ de hatra'skhwatahcha’, tho ïawenhchonnion’ aheskwawendahrony. De productions Ondinnokshayaondia’. Khondae’ yonwedaton’wes de hatiyondahskehen’.
Onhwentsayeh heskwa’ndiyonhron’weskwändih. Tho ïawenhchonnion’ Yves Sioui- Durand hoenhwi’ndih chia’ nondae’ iherhe’ de honwendatënienstha’. Onhwa’ entate’, a’thekwanonhronhkwanion’ de ahahiaton’.
The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec would like to thank the Caisse de la Culture and Le Devoir, which partnered for the award of this honour.