Ontario is represented by several Indigenous groups that spread across Canada’s largest province, namely: Ojibway, Cree Delware, Potawatomi, Oneida, Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga and Tuscarora(1). Métis and diverse Indigenous nations from across Canada will also be represented in Ontario, often due to the large variety of college and university options to study.
With the formation of the Association for Native Development in the Performing and Visual Arts – ANDPVA, one of the first ventures embarked on by founder the late Cree Elder James Buller of was the inception of Native Theatre School in 1974 and now known as The Centre for Indigenous Theatre. Grown from a four-week program, there are now two annual summer residencies in Ontario and Alberta and a three-year full-time program that was all influenced by the late James Buller’s belief that with a viable Aboriginal theatre school in place, Aboriginal actors, playwrights and directors would have a forum for exploration and exchange, and that the results of this exchange would have a measurable impact on the Aboriginal Theatre community. Rooted in diverse Indigenous cultures, values and traditions, the Centre seeks to elaborate a contemporary Indigenous performance culture through training and professional development opportunities for emerging and established Native theatre artists. The development of distinctive Indigenous contemporary performance skills is part of the unique curriculum design offered by The Centre for Indigenous Theatre. Additional integration of acting, voice and movement with Indigenous cultural classes of oral teachings found in song and dances are offered alongside professional development, mentorship, performances including original works from the students provide a solid program for any aspiring Indigenous actor(22).
The famed filmmaker, actor and activist Shirley Cheechoo founded the professional community based non-profit organization De-ba-jeh-mu-jig (“Storytellers” in Cree & Ojibway) in 1981 dedicated to the vitalization of the Anishnaabeg Culture, Language and Heritage, through education and the sharing of original creative expression with Native and Non-Native people. The remote location of De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group on Manitoulin Island has offered the opportunity to be innovative in with addressing challenges, artistic development and governance by nurturing an original creation process and methodology that reflects and honours an Anishnaabeg World View – distinct from the mainstream worldview and resulting value system. A bridge between cultures the lifeblood of the De-ba-jeh-mu-jig is its relevance to the cultural communities and the growth and success of their artists(23).
This article is a non-comprehensive and living document that provides an overview of artistic activities in the region. It will be revised as necessary as part of our ongoing process of continuous updates.
1) http://www.aboriginalcanada.com/firstnation/dirfnont.htm
22) http://www.indigenoustheatre.com/
23) http://www.debaj.ca/vision.htm