Little Ones, with music by Danielle Jagelski (Oneida/Ojibwe) and libretto by Rhiana Yazzie (Navajo), portrays the life of "Marigold," a 17 year old student at a Native American Residential School, following her through her senior year of high school. “Little Ones" is a dark-comedic opera that unfolds in the 1980s, delving into the evolution of the slogan "Kill the Indian, Save the child" into a more contemporary, ostensibly benevolent version: "Save the Indian, Save them from themselves." In essence, "Little Ones" serves as a tribute to the multifaceted challenges that Indigenous young people faced during the final decade of the US residential school era, and continue to grapple with today. This work paints a vivid picture of any person who is conflicted with their place in American society while preserving their individual identity, all within a world undergoing profound change. As daughters of Residential School survivors, Jagelski and Yazzie aim to tell this story through a lens of connection and community.
There will be a discussion between the audience and the creative team after the reading to offer feedback on the progress of the piece and offer their ideas for future iterations. Tickets for Little Ones are on a sliding scale, $20, $40, or $80 with a free ticket to members of the Indigenous community to attend. Transportation is available to Elders if needed- please email renegadeoperapdx@gmail.com to request.