The groundbreaking Pawâkan Macbeth is Indigenous playwright, Reneltta Arluk’s reimagining of Shakespeare’s darkest play into Cree history, legend, and cosmology. Set in Plains Cree territory in the 1870s, before the establishment of First Nations reserves, Pawâkan Macbeth takes place in a time when First Nations warred with each other and the Canadian Government over territory, food supply, and trade. Harsh environments brought immense fear, starvation, and uncertainty together to awaken the darkest of Cree spirits, the Wihtiko – an evil being with an insatiable appetite for human flesh.

Inspired from stories shared by Indigenous Elders in Frog Lake First Nation following protocol, Arluk has created a new, visceral experience of Macbeth; a convergence of Shakespeare’s language, modern English, and Plains Cree. As historical wars are waged with the Cree and Nakoda against the Blackfoot, Macikosisân (Macbeth), a great Okihcitâw (Warrior), becomes consumed by the cannibal spirit Wihtiko. He plots with Kâwanihot Iskwew (Lady Macbeth), to kill their Chief, Okimâw Wîpâstim (Duncan). Pawâkan Macbeth is a terrifying journey through love, greed, honour and betrayal, with trickster beings that lie like truth.