Family at the Turtle Island Theatre 

Jessica Hernandez was nine years old when she starred in Sometimes When I Dream, a musical about when settlers first came to Turtle Island, and an alternative depiction of what might’ve happened.

Now, 30 years on, her daughter Iehwatsirahnì:ra’ts Gilbert is taking on that same role, with Hernandez acting alongside her on stage, in an updated version of the musical this time called The Invasion of Turtle Island, which is being performed today and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Kateri Hall.

“We’re learning together, and it’s really special,” Hernandez said. “I did theatre for decades of my life and it was my passion and my love. Being able to now do this with her see that she has the same passion that I do, I just love it.”

The musical is written by Kevin John Saylor, who was the original founding artistic director of Turtle Island Theatre in 1993. Hernandez had asked Saylor throughout the years if he’d ever reboot the musical, and when the time came this year thanks to sponsorship from the First Peoples Circle of the Thousand Islands and funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage, he had asked her if her daughter might be interested in being involved.

Gilbert, who loves theatre, had recently performed in local productions of Annie, Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz, and Robin Hood. She stars alongside Julian Deer, and the two children tell a story of settler contact with a twist.

Both have a great ear for music, Hernandez said, which was important for the updated version of the play, since it has several new songs. Those new songs are something that Hernandez is particularly excited for the community to hear.

“I’m looking forward to people hearing Kevin’s story, he’s got such talent. He brought performing arts to the community, and he created a beautiful program, but he’s also such a talented musician and writer,” she said. “He’s from Kahnawake and he has stories to tell in his own way, and I think it’s important that we get to see this beautiful work of art, it’s important.”

Frayne McCarthy, who is the narrator in the piece, said that it’s an important work that everyone should see.

“It should be toured extensively to schools, campuses, and professional productions should be bringing this highly entertaining, thought-provoking, and educational musical to as broad an audience as possible,” he said.

He commended Saylor for using theatre as a way to further reconciliation.

“Kevin is extremely aware of the injustices suffered by the Indigenous people of Turtle Island, and it comes through in his projects and creations. He is a true advocate for art and education being the greatest tools for change,” he said.

For Hernandez, the play has been a way to reconnect with her own love of theatre.

“Some of these people I’ve performed with since I was a child, so it’s nice to find that part of myself again. I’ve always been a mom and a business owner, but the stage is really always part of who I was,” she said. “I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve grown from that,’ but it’s still there.”

Finding her way home to the stage has resulted in Hernandez deciding to consider future acting opportunities again – particularly when the new multi-purpose building comes to town, which will house Turtle Island Theatre alongside other community organizations.

“The new building was a dream of mine since I was a child and we’ve been working so hard towards that, so I’d love to be on that stage and come full circle,” she said.

Admission to the show is by donation.

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Correction: A previous version of this article cited an actor's name as Mike Deer. In fact, his name is Julian Deer. The Eastern Door regrets this error.