Sedna: Goddess of " Sea

Hrana Janto

A performance piece of an Inuit Myth

by Jenifer Jaseau
October 16th, 2010 * 8pm

University of Oregon * School of Music and Dance * Aasen-Hull Hall

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Script adapted by: Jenifer Jaseau and Emily Stallman

Story inspired from the book Sedna - Goddess of the Sea (Cambric Press, 2006)
by Joel Rudinger in addition to research from "The Path to Sedna," by Joel Rudinger
in Young Adult Literature and Culture, ed. Harry Eiss. Newcastle upon Tyne:
Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2009

Movement Facilitator: Shannon Mockli

Painting: Harana Janto
Mask: Jared “Mad Masker” Pieterick
Curtains: Jan Lynn Christensen

Cast
Sedna: Anna Waller
Anguta: Kellyn Rost
Tuuluuwaq: Connor Cobbledick
Water/Bird/Sea Beast/Shaman: Jenell Davis
Water/Bird/Sea Beast/Village Person: Julianna Di Miceli
Water/Bird/Sea Beast/Village Person: Roxanne McKee

Narrators
Torngasak: Gene Chin
Pinga: Natasha Reulet
Program Notes:
Iʼd like to tell you a story about an Inuit woman named Sedna and how she became to be the
Goddess of the sea. Sedna lived long ago in the northernmost parts of this very continent, in
Alaska, Canada and even as far as Iceland. In Inuit mythology, Sedna rules Adlivun, the
underworld, and the creatures of the sea. The myths of Sedna explain the origins of sea
creatures and reflect the harsh environment of the Arctic. Sedna provides the animals used
for food and thus is considered the most important Inuit deity. Holistically, the various tales of
Sedna incorporate the Inuitʼs belief of shamanism, animism, and their deep respect and fear
for nature. The Inuits believe that all things have souls, including animals, so any hunter that
fails to show appropriate respect, would only give the liberated spirits cause to avenge
themselves.

“The greatest peril of life lies in the fact that human food consists entirely of souls...
souls that do not perish with the body, and which must therefore be propitiated lest they
should revenge themselves on us for taking away their bodies.” Rasmussen 1929
Shamanism: an encyclopedia of world beliefs, practices & culture by Mariko N. Walter
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! As we see the turmoil in our current times, related to hunger, war and most importantly,
the health of our planet, we need myths to remind us of the wisdom from our ancestors that
we have forgotten. According to Joseph Campbell, “we need myths that will identify the
individual not with his local group, but with the planet.”

“We have become a danger to our own natural world

and we must act swiftly to insure salvation of all living beings”
Mountain Astrologer #144, April, 2009

! The name Sedna was given to a recently discovered trans-Neptunian object by Chad
Trujillo. After the discovery of this object, astrologers traced back its orbit and noted that
Sedna was in close proximity to Earth around the pivotal times of the first Earth Day (April
22nd, 1970) and the release of Al Goreʼs movie An Inconvenient Truth (2006). This
information lead astrologers to believe that Sedna has had a distinct role in the well-being (or
destruction) of our planet. She reminds us to respect the ways of nature, for if we abuse her
bounty, she will take it all away.
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! Each individual has to find an aspect of myth that relates to their own life... myth has
the potential to open the world to mystery, and realize the mystery that underlines all forms. I
have hoped to create this world both for myself and for my collaborators in this process. It is
my hope today, that you can also share in this mystery and that part of this story will come
home with you, so that you too may remember, to love and honor your planet, your food, your
body and your community.

“People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're
truly seeking. I think what we're seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life
experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances within our own innermost
being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive. That's what it's all finally
about, and that's what these clues help us to find within ourselves.”
The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell, with Bill Moyers 1987
 Special Thanks:
!
! A very special thanks goes to those talented movers and narrators who helped me put
this show together. This project came alive because of their talent, dedication, efforts and
willingness to investigate and explore new concepts that thusly has shaped my work to come.
! Additionally, Iʼd like to thank Jeff and Lance for assisting me with all the odds and ends
that I needed during the production process and the knowledge they have shared with me so
that I can understand my own equipment and craft. Your time is very much appreciated.
! My biggest gratitude goes to Shannon for showing me how I can grow and develop my
work with movement and sound. She helped me unfold and reveal my intentions, adding her
expertise to bring out my vision. For that, I am eternally grateful and one day I will return the
favor by offering that same guidance to another.
! I would also like to thank my dear partner Mark for feeding me, supporting me in all the
many ways I needed through this process and for keeping positive. To my Mother, thank you
for all the exposure you have given me of stories, music, and performance. It has enriched
my life. Thank you!

This performance is in partial fulfillment of the

Masters of Music degree requirement in
Intermedia Music Technology
Jenifer Jaseau is a student of Dr. Jeffrey Stolet