The Herd is a play imagined by Kenneth T. Williams, a Cree playwright from the George Gordon First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory. Williams is a decorated playwright who has a history of writing engaging stories that touch upon big questions and important themes that stimulate conversation about Indigenous issues and activism. The Herd touches upon topics such as blood quantum, the “pretendian” epidemic, and Indigenous identity through the metaphor of two white buffalo calves born into a First Nations herd in Saskatchewan. At the end of this work is a glossary of terms that explain central themes in the story, such as identity, ownership, and science vs. spirituality. This work also includes a study guide that ethically guides readers to critically reflect on the above themes.

Other End Matter: Foreword, Glossary, Study Guide
Images: b&w photographs
Contributor Affiliation: Kenneth T. Williams (Cree), Photographers Aloys Fleischmann, Nanc Price
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - Indigenous Books for Schools

Kenneth T. Williams is a Cree playwright, filmmaker and journalist from the George Gordon First Nation. His plays CafŽ Daughter, Thunderstick (Scirocco 2010), Bannock Republic (Scirocco 2011), Suicide Notes and Three Little Birds have been professionally produced across Canada. Gordon Winter had its world premiere in Saskatoon in 2010 as the opening play for Persephone TheatreÕs Deep End series. It then went on to further acclaim in May, 2012 when it was presented again at OttawaÕs Arts Court Theatre as part of the National Arts CentreÕs Prairie Scene festival. Thunderstick has recently been optioned as feature film project. In 2011, Gordon Winter was nominated for a Saskatoon and Area Theatre Award for outstanding playwriting and CafŽ Daughter won Bob Couchman Theatre Awards for outstanding production, direction and female performance in Whitehorse. HeÕs working on a new play, Deserters, which was presented at the 2011 Weesageechak Begins to Dance festival. He blogs about his playwriting adventures on his website feralplaywright.ca. He also teaches playwriting at the University of Saskatchewan. As well as writing plays, Kenneth has edited three series for television. He is the first Aboriginal writer to earn an M.F.A. in playwriting from the University of Alberta. He resides in Saskatoon.

Kenneth T. Williams' profile page

"The audience is swept into a carefully-crafted world where percolating humour helps navigate issues of culture, spirituality, land, economics and identity spinning quickly alongside each other." Tom Murray, Edmonton Journal

"The Herd is a powerful and topical production that resonates long after the final curtain." Sarah Dussome, Broadway World