THE AJIJAAK ON TURTLE ISLAND STORY - A YOUNG WHOOPING CRANE Ajijaak on Turtle Island is a distinctly indigenous story, developed by Heather Henson and IBEX Puppetry through years of collaboration with a diverse group of indigenous artists, teachers and leaders. For years, the Sandhill Cranes, one of two species of North American cranes, have made an area of the Platte River a focal point of their migration. The cranes’ “dancing” has fascinated naturalists and artists for generations, and are Heather Henson’s self-described obsession. This program, presented at the Lied Center March 6-9, 2023, included one public and five schoolday performances; over a week of community and school residencies or workshops were led by IBEX Puppetry artists, Heather Henson and local teaching artists. These activities were specifically designed for students, and their teachers, to take place in the Lied Center’s partner schools and communities.
Ajijaak on Turtle Island is a story about Ajijaak, a young whooping crane, who is separated from her family in a Tar Sands fire caused by the monstrous Mishibizhiw. Ajijaak begins her travels with a medicine bundle, given to her by her parents, as her guide, and makes her first migration on her own, flying from Wood Buffalo, Canada, down to the Gulf Coast of the U.S. Along the way she encounters many animals - deer, buffalo, coyote, and turtles - as well as communities of people from Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk, Lakota, and Cherokee Nations, living in harmony with their environments. These people share prayers, songs, and dances that celebrate life on earth and help Ajijaak find meaning and strength in her own voice and song. It is with this song that Ajijaak restores balance to Turtle Island and returns the monster, Mishibizhiw, to sleep.