Edmonton Opera Cancels Production of ‘Indians on Vacation’
By Francisco SalazarEdmonton Opera has announced it is canceling “Indians on Vacation.”
The company said, “This decision follows conversations with several local Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, patrons, and community members from Treaty 6 who shared concerns about how presenting this work at this moment would impact their community. Through these discussions, it became clear that moving forward would not align with our commitments to reconciliation, cultural respect, and responsible partnership.”
It added, “As concerns were raised, Edmonton Opera sought input from several Indigenous community members to better understand how the work was being received locally and what potential impacts it might have on Treaty 6. This was not a standing advisory committee, but a situational and good-faith effort to listen when concerns were raised. The individuals we spoke with were invited to share cultural insight, community experience, and perspective. Their guidance helped us understand the broader impact this project was having in our community and informed our responsibility to respond with care. Our decision to step back was based on the overall environment of tension and division that emerged around the project, not on any single viewpoint or claim. The goal was to prioritize safety, trust, and care within our community.”
The statement concluded, “We acknowledge the significant time, care, and artistry that went into the development of this work. This decision is not a reflection of the artists or their contributions. Our intent is to ensure that the stories we present reflect our values and contribute to trust-building rather than causing unintended harm on Treaty 6 Territory.”
“Indians on Vacation” was originally developed through the Wild Rose Opera Project, which supported the creation of new Canadian works and was workshopped in 2020 and commissioned for a future mainstage season.
The company added that it will work with Indigenous community members to build a long-term framework for cultural collaboration, artistic consultation, and representation in our programming.
“Indians on Vacation” was composed by Ian Cusson and Royce Vavrek and was set to be conducted by Simon Rivard. The cast was set to star Marion Newman, Julie Lumsden, Grant Youngblood, Keely McPeek, Giles Tomkins, and Evan Korbut, and was supposed to be presented on Feb. 5 to 7, 2026.
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