The Rez Sisters

As Marie-Adele talks to Nanabush, the scene behind her changes to Wasaychigan Hill. She asks, half in Cree, for the Bingo Master/nighthawk to take her. Nanabush takes Marie-Adele into the spirit world. Zhaboonigan tries to follow them, but Emily grabs her. The women gather and sing a funeral song at Marie-Adele’s grave.

Pelajia gives a speech about Marie-Adele winning the big jackpot, and how she made the most of the life she was given. Pelajia says she will see Marie-Adele again, and pulls out her hammer, holding it up in the air.

Back at the store, Emily gives cans of Carnation Milk to Zhaboonigan, and shows her where to shelve them. Zhaboonigan hugs Emily, and she awkwardly hugs her back. Annie comes in, less frantic than earlier, and bounces between conversation topics, like Marie-Adele’s death and Philomena winning $600, which she used to buy a new toilet. Annie reveals that she is singing back-up for Fritz the Katz, and Emily makes fun of her for this. Annie asks Emily to come hear her sing. Emily agrees, but only after Veronique comes to pick up Zhaboonigan. After learning that there is no mail, Annie leaves the store. Emily admits to Zhaboonigan that she is pregnant, which will upset Gazelle because it is Big Joey’s baby. Zhaboonigan drops a can and pokes Emily’s belly. Emily slaps her hand away.

Annie meets Veronique at Eugene’s house. Veronique tells Annie that she’s been using the stove to cook for him and his and Marie-Adele’s kids; she’s making roast beef at the moment. Annie asks if Simon is around, because she wants to borrow a record of his for practicing the song she is singing later. Veronique insults Annie for going to the bar and getting involved with a singer. Annie tells her to shut her mouth. Veronique says Simon isn’t home, and Annie leaves.

Back on her roof, Pelajia yells at Philomena to bring her some shingles. Pelajia complains about the dirt roads, and wants to be chief so she can fix them. Philomena says she can’t be chief because she’s a woman. Pelajia thinks having a woman in charge would make the situation on the reserve better. Annie comes by and says she’ll vote for Pelajia. Then, Annie asks to borrow Philomena’s record player. The older women joke around, comparing the quality of the old and barely working player to Annie’s singing, but Philomena agrees to loan it to Annie for a night. Annie mentions a bingo game in Espanola. Pelajia and Philomena say they want to come to the game. After Annie leaves, they speculate if her singer boyfriend can slow her down. Philomena asks if Pelajia still wants to move to Toronto. Pelajia is not sure if her son Tom wants her to stay there because he said she plays too much bingo. Philomena talks about Tom’s bathroom and how she made hers to look like his, then leaves.

Pelajia notes that there aren’t many seagulls over Eugene’s roof, and goes back to hammering. Nanabush, disguised as a seagull, dances to the rhythm of her hammer, unseen by her, as lights fade to black.