WELL, HOW DID WE GET HERE?
Indians & Cowboys, The Good, The Bad & The Treaty was inspired by Michelle Thrush after she saw two incredible presentations of Charlie Chaplin films (Modern Times Redux and Goldrush Redux) created by Peter Moller in 2020 and 2022.
During her tenure as Artistic Director of Making Treaty 7 (MT7), Michelle had a vision of using old footage from Hollywood westerns. Spurred on by Peter’s concept, she saw the chance to change the contrived narrative that cowboys were always the heroes. At the same time, she also saw an opportunity to create a collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists and musicians.
Michelle, and Neil Fleming, who was the Executive Director at MT7 then, reached out to see if Peter would join forces with them to create such a show. He would!
Peter spent a summer researching and sourcing public domain cowboy and Indian films, even delving into the crazy Italian sub-genre of ‘Spaghetti Westerns’. Michelle and Peter then gathered with Kris Demeanor, Telly James, Jared Tail Feathers, Jacob Swain and Neil to create the bones of Indians and Cowboys.
Then they gathered some of Calgary’s most prolific musicians and actors to round out the cast with five Indigenous and five settler artists; Caleigh Crow, Jamie Konchak, Jamie Tognazzini, Chantal Vitalis, Skip Wolf Leg – all herded by stage manager, Meredith Johnson. In 2026, Spike Eagle Speaker brought his pow-wow drum and voice, as his cousin Skip had previous commitments.
This group melded quickly and seamlessly. Rehearsal lasted for two fun-filled weeks, followed by four nights of sold out performances as part of the 2024 High Performance Rodeo at The GRAND Theatre.
Indians & Cowboys, The Good, The Bad & The Treaty at Caravan Farm Theatre, June 12 - 14, 2026
Caravan Theatre Performing Barn
