“Uƞčí” One-Act Play

Uƞčí is a Lakota (Sioux) word that means Grandmother.
(Click the audio player above to hear the word “uƞčí”.)
Photo credit: Bonnie Young

“Uƞčí” is the name of the one-act play by Hanay Geiogamah. It is also the Lakota word for grandmother. The play takes place in the afternoon before a “namegiving” ceremony and “giveaway”. At the beginning of the play, a grandmother sorts through items she's chosen for the “giveaway”, and then she begins to reminisce about her life.

    Topics covered:

  • Boarding school trauma
  • Traditional marriage
  • Tribal economics
  • Vietnam
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs
  • "Namegiving" ceremony
  • "Giveaway" tradition
  • “It was a great performance! I learned a lot, and it touched my heart.” ~ Biagio Arobba, Audience Testimonial and Volunteer
  • “Claudette has a way of inhabiting the role of Grandma (Uƞčí) ... She makes a very strong emotional connection [with the audience]. [The play] is a really good way of getting [the audience] in touch with the traditions of the [Lakota] people, and exposing them to an elder personality who is fun ... who can make them laugh, make them cry and who can go through a lot of emotions. It can be somewhat healing for a lot of people who see it.” ~ Jeff Kellogg, Theater Program Director, Sinte Gleska University.

Schedule a Performance

To schedule a performance of “Uƞčí”, a one-act play, please contact Laurie Russo at +1 605-856-4515. The performance runs approximately 40-50 minutes, and Claudette Sabor is available to answer questions from the audience at the end of the performance.

Purchase the DVD

Price: $19.99

To order by phone
call Biagio Arobba at +1 605-209-4300.

There is a $5.00 shipping and handling charge for orders within the United States.

For international orders, please contact
Biagio Arobba at +1 605-209-4300
to make arrangements.

90-Day Money Back Guarantee! We are so confident you will enjoy this DVD that we will give you a full refund if you are not completely satisfied.

Special Thanks

Hanay Geiogamah, Professor of Theater, UCLA School of Theater Film and Theater Director, Project HOOP

Jane Lind, Actress, who provided training to Claudette as part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's “Capturing the Dream”: Native American Higher Education Initiative.

Jeff Kellogg, Theater Program Director, Sinte Gleska University

Laurie Russo, Director, Nape Woapiye Holistic Center

UCLA AISC “Project HOOP”

Purchase the DVD

Price: $19.99

To order by phone
call Biagio Arobba at +1 605-209-4300.

There is a $5.00 shipping and handling charge for orders within the United States.

For international orders, please contact
Biagio Arobba at +1 605-209-4300
to make arrangements.

90-Day Money Back Guarantee! We are so confident you will enjoy this DVD that we will give you a full refund if you are not completely satisfied.

Schedule a Performance

To schedule a performance of “Uƞčí”, a one-act play, please contact Laurie Russo at +1 605-856-4515. The performance runs approximately 40-50 minutes, and Claudette Sabor is available to answer questions from the audience at the end of the performance.

  • “Claudette Sabor offers an entertaining, often poignant view” ~ Jim Kent, Rapid City Journal
  • “I was astounded. I thought it was remarkable. I thought it was moving. And the thing was, ... It seemed like she really was remembering her life.” ~ Darla Drew Lerdal, Dahl Fine Arts Center Spokesperson
  • “It's very entertaining!” ~ Sarah Clifford, Audence Testimonial
Photo credit: Biagio Arobba

Claudette Sabor has performed the play “Uƞčí” over 40 times in the last 10 years. For Sabor the play is a vehicle to bring her acting and Lakota roots together.2 In the play, Claudette plays a seasoned grandmother who has emotions and pride, and who has been through many trials and tribulations. She believes her role in “Uƞčí” is a more realistic portrayal of Lakota grandmothers.

Claudette has built a life around the theatrical arts.1 In the 1960's her connection to the California Indian Center helped her win appearances in “Flaming Star”, a movie staring Elvis Presley, and in “The Outsider” starring Tony Curtis. Today, she uses theater to pass on Lakota traditions and arts advocacy.

Claudette Sabor is a Lakota elder from the Oglala Sioux Tribe who can be found on websites about famous Native Americans and film stars.

Her advice for young native people and non-native people: “Every person is a world. No matter what you do in this life, it’s what you think of yourself. That is the most important thing.”

    Appearances include:

  • Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award Dinner
    Saint Francis, South Dakota
  • National Council on Aging
    Mystic Lake Casino, Prior Lake, Minnesota
  • University of South Dakota
    Vermillion, South Dakota
  • Sinte Gleska University
    Mission, South Dakota
  • The Dahl Arts Center
    Rapid City, South Dakota
  • Valentine Art Council
    Valentine, Nebraska
  • Gregory Humanitarian Grant
    Gregory, South Dakota
  • Oglala Sioux Tribe Youth Opportunity Program
    Pine Ridge, South Dakota
  • Rosebud Sioux Tribe Diabetes Prevention Program
    Mission, South Dakota
  • Rosebud Sioux Tribe Head Start Program
    Mission, South Dakota
  • Christian Life Center Women's Conference
    Mission, South Dakota
  • Women Infants and Children Program Anniversary
    Rosebud, South Dakota
  • Todd County School District
    Lake View, South Dakota
  • Saint Francis Indian School
    Saint Francis, South Dakota
  • Wanbli Wiconi Tipi
    Mission, South Dakota
Credits:
1. Unci: Peformed by Claudette Sabor. Fri, Sept 11, 2009. John T. Vucurevich Event Center. http://www.thedahl.org/Theatre.htm
2. Kent, Jim. One woman play called "Unci" brings cultural connection to audience. Air Date: 09/18/2009. Dakota Digest. http://www.sdpb.org/tv/shows.aspx?MediaID=57289&Parmtype=RADIO&ParmAccessLevel=sdpb-all