Native Earth Performing Arts

Call for: Artistic Director Application Deadline: July 03, 2026 Overview: Native Earth is seeking an Artistic Director to lead the organization through its next phase of growth and transformation. Guided by our 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, the Artistic Director will help shape and advance Native Earth’s artistic vision, grounded in three core priorities: • Identity, Autonomy and Place – strengthening Indigenous-led, sovereign spaces for creation and gathering • Evolving Operations – building sustainable systems, teams, and partnerships • Supporting the Art, the Artists, and the Artisans – expanding opportunities for Indigenous creators at all stages

After four years in Artistic Leadership with Native Earth Performing Arts, Joelle Peters will be stepping down from her role as Artistic Director in November 2026. We share this news with deep gratitude for Joelle’s leadership and care for the company, and with excitement for the next chapter of her artistic journey. Joelle’s relationship with Native Earth spans more than a decade, beginning as a member of the Patron Services team before stepping into Artistic Leadership. This long-standing connection has shaped her approach - rooted in community, generosity, and a deep understanding of the artists and audiences we serve. For the full statement, head to the news section on nativeearth.ca.

ANNOUNCING THE 14TH SEASON OF THE ANIMIKIIG CREATORS UNIT: Shyanne Duquette
Iota’keratenion Thomas-Beaton
Cameron Fraser-Monroe ⚡️ “Excited to announce the 14th season of the Animikiig Creators Unit. The next two years cohort brings together emerging Indigenous creators developing new works that dig into history, gender dynamics, and acts of reclamation. Rooted in curiosity, resistance, and reconnection, these artists are shaping bold and necessary conversations through their practices. Honoured to support and witness their growth and professional development.” — IRMA VILLAFUERTE (ACU Program Facilitator) The Animikiig Creators Unit (ACU) is a two-year development program for emerging Indigenous creators. The Animikiig Creators Unit offers Indigenous creators across Turtle Island and beyond who are early in craft and in the emerging stages of theatrical creation the opportunity to develop their craft through individualized development plans and resources under the guidance of professional mentors. Animikiig is the Ojibway word for the initial rumblings that tell us of the thunder storm that is to come.

LAST CALL for SUBMISSIONS for WEESAGEECHAK BEGINS TO DANCE 39. Deadline: April 15, 2026 (11:59PM tonight!) APPLY NOW at: nativeearth.ca/for-artists/development-programs/weesageechak-begins-to-dance Weesageechak Begins to Dance is an annual performing arts festival showcasing new works and works-in-development by Indigenous artists across Turtle Island and beyond, hosted in the heart of Regent Park in t’karonto. Every November, Native Earth Performing Arts is proud to welcome new theatrical, dance, music, and multidisciplinary works reflecting the breadth of Indigenous experiences, the richness of Indigenous arts, and offering a peek into Indigenous storytelling today and to come. These curated works, selected by an internal jury of Native Earth staff and guest artists, receive artistic and dramaturgical support, rehearsal time and space with performers, and public presentations. Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39 will be from November 19 – 29, 2026, with presentations and ancillary programming in our Aki Studio and Minogitoon Workspace. Selected Weesageechak Begins to Dance artists are paired with a Mentor, who takes on a directorial and dramaturgical capacity to best support the development of their project through workshop and/or presentation processes. Weesageechak Begins to Dance artists will also receive an artist fee for their participation in the festival. We will continue to offer two festival streams: Presentation for completed new works or for projects further along in development and Workshop for projects in early stages of development and/or for artists who may not feel ready for presentation or who want to develop their project without the pressure of presentation. The Workshop stream will be held from October 12-25, 2026. Apply by: April 15, 2026, 11:59 PM EST Details: nativeearth.ca/for-artists/development-programs/weesageechak-begins-to-dance(link in bio!) #weesageechak39

HAPPY CLOSING to WHITE GIRLS IN MOCCASINS 💛 Chi miigwetch to everyone who worked on this show, and a special shout out to the team at manidoons collective for coming on this journey with us! And to the all our audience members who joined us for this show :) . . Lighting Design: Echo Zhou Costume Design: Rachel Forbes, Aslı Ozuak Set Design & Video Co-Design: Trevor Schwellnus Animation & Video Co-Design: Rihkee Strapp Photos by: Kate Dalton

Submissions have been EXTENDED for WEESAGEECHAK BEGINS TO DANCE 39. New deadline: April 15, 2026 APPLY NOW at: nativeearth.ca/for-artists/development-programs/weesageechak-begins-to-dance Weesageechak Begins to Dance is an annual performing arts festival showcasing new works and works-in-development by Indigenous artists across Turtle Island and beyond, hosted in the heart of Regent Park in t’karonto. Every November, Native Earth Performing Arts is proud to welcome new theatrical, dance, music, and multidisciplinary works reflecting the breadth of Indigenous experiences, the richness of Indigenous arts, and offering a peek into Indigenous storytelling today and to come. These curated works, selected by an internal jury of Native Earth staff and guest artists, receive artistic and dramaturgical support, rehearsal time and space with performers, and public presentations. Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39 will be from November 19 – 29, 2026, with presentations and ancillary programming in our Aki Studio and Minogitoon Workspace. Selected Weesageechak Begins to Dance artists are paired with a Mentor, who takes on a directorial and dramaturgical capacity to best support the development of their project through workshop and/or presentation processes. Weesageechak Begins to Dance artists will also receive an artist fee for their participation in the festival. We will continue to offer two festival streams: Presentation for completed new works or for projects further along in development and Workshop for projects in early stages of development and/or for artists who may not feel ready for presentation or who want to develop their project without the pressure of presentation. The Workshop stream will be held from October 12-25, 2026. Apply by: April 15, 2026, 11:59 PM EST Details: nativeearth.ca/for-artists/development-programs/weesageechak-begins-to-dance(link in bio!) #weesageechak39

3 more performances of “White Girls in Moccasins” left! Get your tickets at: nativeearth.ca 🎟️ . . . Friday April 10th 7:30pm (Relaxed Performance) Saturday April 11th 7:30pm (Talkback Post Show) Sunday April 12th 2pm Photo by: Kate Dalton

Q+A with the cast of ‘White Girls in Moccasins’ ⭐️ Featuring: Katia Ferderber Elizabeth Staples Ravyn Wngz Only 4 more chances to see ‘White Girls in Moccasins’ More info + tickets at nativeearth.ca 🎟️

Here is a little taste of White Girls in Moccasins, on at the Aki Studio until April 12! Skit written and directed by Yolanda Bonnell Starring Katia Ferderber, Ravyn Wngz, and Elizabeth Staples Camera Operated & Editing by Yolanda Bonnell + Lisa Alves Production Assistance by Mel Get your tickets before it’s too late 🎟️

Throwback to ‘Weesageechak Begins to Dance 38’ earlier this season! Reminder that APPLICATIONS for next season’s ‘Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39’ CLOSE on FRIDAY, APRIL 10th Apply now! Details at: https://nativeearth.ca/for-artists/development-programs/weesageechak-begins-to-dance Every November, Native Earth Performing Arts is proud to welcome new theatrical, dance, music, and multidisciplinary works reflecting the breadth of Indigenous experiences, the richness of Indigenous arts, and offering a peek into Indigenous storytelling today and to come. Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39 will explore our festival theme, RESURGENCE, celebrating the ever-urgent necessity for Indigenous storytelling in an inspirational and revitalizing gathering of stories, conversations, and workshops. . . . Photos by: Kate Dalton 1. Children of the Bear by Todd Houseman (Co-Presented by Outside the March) 2. mi historia que no es única by Jessica Esmeralda Zepeda 3. How Bono Saved my Life (Three Times) by Sonya Ballantyne 4. The Curse of Stolen Seeds by Jillian Morris

Join us for Post-Show Talkbacks Following ‘White Girls in Moccasins’ Performances on: ⭐️ Wednesday, April 8th 12pm ⭐️ Saturday, April 11th 7:30pm Stay after these performances to learn more from the cast & crew of WGiM.

Native Earth Merch Updates!! All merch available before every performance of ‘White Girls in Moccasins’ ⭐️ Featuring: - Restock on iconic indigenous plays - LIMITED signed copies of ‘White Girls in Moccasins’ by Yolanda Bonnell - Restock of sodas from ‘Flying Chestnut’, including BRAND-NEW flavours: Maple and Wild Blueberry