"For generations, the aboriginal peoples of the Arctic and Subarctic regions of North America and Europe have experienced disruption of their traditional cultures by dominant, colonizing societies. But recent years have seen new efforts to revive and preserve their traditional values. Some native peoplesincluding Alaskan and Canadian Inuit, Canadian and American Native Indian peoples, and the Sami, or Lapps, of Northern Scandinavia and Russia - have established theater groups to tell the stories of their cultures, past and present, to themselves and non-natives." "With play scripts, essays, and interviews, Aboriginal Voices explores the character and purpose of these northern theater groups. The plays in particular illustrate the unique concerns of native peoples for both preserving traditions and coping with contemporary problems. "Inuit," a play from Tukak Theater in Denmark, records and celebrates the ancient myths of the Greenland Inuit. "The Homecoming," from Alaska's Chevak Theater, uses traditional mythology to explore the modern Alaskan Inuit's search for self-esteem. "Gesat" concerns contemporary efforts by the indigenous Sami people of northern Scandinavia to restore their cultural identity. The volume also includes essays and interviews in which playwrights and dramaturgs associated with northern performance groups explore issues of theater anthropology and cultural change."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved