The community has experienced tremendous changes in the past 70 years. On The River explores these changes, telling the story through the lens of the life of former chief Dorothy McDonald-Hyde.   

On The River combines new songs, written and performed by award-winning musicians Asani (Debbie Houle, Sarah Pocklington, Sherryl Sewepagaham) and Maria Dunn, with video interviews from people who knew Dorothy McDonald-Hyde (filmed and edited by Don Bouzek of Ground Zero Productions).     

On The River presents a crucial contemporary Canadian story: the struggle between pursuing resource development and sustaining the traditional ways of life for Indigenous peoples. The story is delivered in a way that connects the audience directly to the voices of people in Fort McKay through video interviews and footage while listening to songs that further explore the emotions of those voices and the experiences they express.  

A vital element of the Truth and Reconciliation dialogue requires understanding our past and our present, particularly with regard to our country’s history of colonization. On The River is a potent way of sharing that history and encouraging dialogue through music and video, particularly video that brings the voices of an Indigenous community on the frontlines of resource development directly to the ears, eyes and hearts of their fellow Canadians.  

A brief moderated panel discussion will take place following the performance.