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#NIHM 2023

Throughout the month of June, for National Indigenous History Month, Native Earth spotlighted Indigenous Artists from our 22.23 Season on Social Media. Join us in offering appreciation to these amazing artists!

We started off our spotlight series with artists from Weesageechak 35.  We want to recognize all of the artists involved in the Festival and their hard work For a complete list, take a look at the Festival page.

 

Alexa Black – creator Ne temikilis pal ne kuyut papalut
Brian Solomon – multidisciplinary artist
Samantha Sutherland – creator and performer kaqwiⱡȼi
Lindsay Lachance – former director of the Animikiig Creators Unit
Aria Evans – interdisciplinary artist, mentor W35
Jeremy Proulx – Playwright of Fallen Feather
Pesch Nepoose – Creator and Performer of The Bridge
Katey Wattam – Mentor W35
Lacey Hill – Indigenous Folk and Soul singer/songwriter
Jesse Wabegijig – actor, Fallen Feather

Spy Dénommé-Welch – Composer and Director of Transpositions
Tara Sky – Actor, And Then They Came
Cole Alvis – Creator and Performer of And Then They Came
Justin McLean – Bass Trombone & Tuba, Transpositions
Jennifer Alicia Murrin – Creator of To Go Home
Elder Whabagoon – Ojibwe Elder, sits with the Loon Clan
Montana Adams – Creator and Performer of As The Ice Floats By
Caleigh Crow – Creator and Performer of Superparamagnetism

Indigibabes Burlesque
Creator and Performer: Denise B. McLeod/ Madam Ode’miin Surprise
Performers:
Krysta Williams
Kahsenniyo Kick
Red Wolf
Neno Freebird
Salty Bay

We continued our spotlight series with artists from 40 Seeds For 40 Seasons!

In celebration of the 40 years of Native Earth’s history, the 40 Seeds for 40 Seasons program was created to give back to the community who made NEPA what it is today!

We are thrilled to have supported these talented, incredible creators in the development of their new projects. For a complete list of artists, take a look at the Creators page.

Amanda Trapp – Half Breed Vaudeville
Bruce Sinclair – Kuska Wahkamin
Celeste Sansregret – 23 Beds
Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone – Water Hunters
Colin Wolf – Coywolf Development
Dillan Chiblow – The 7 Fires: A New Musical
Hailey Verbonac – The Dragonfly Prophet
Deneh’Cho Thompson – Re-Uncovering (Working Title)
Jp Longboat – 40 Seeds For 40 Seasons

Rebecca Cuddy – Finding William (John)
Pj Prudat – The Crown Vs Oke-Mas-Kwe (Boss Woman)
Nyla Carpentier – Almost Powwow Time! (Working Title)
Rylee Nepinak – A Ride For Tataskwayak
Reneltta Arluk – Grandpa Stories
Shandra Spears Bombay – Ganawenjigaazo
Summer Bressette – The Rum Runner
Waawaate Fobister – Miskwiin
Zoey Roy zoeyroy.thepoet – O-Tip-Aim-So-Win

We concluded our spotlight series with artists from productions in our 22.23 Season!

We are so excited to have presented these amazing shows as part of our season! To see the full list of cast & creatives, please visit the show pages for Firewater Thunderbird Rising, Chapter 21, Aalaapi, and Niizh.

Christine Friday from Firewater Thunderbird Rising, which ran February 16 – 19, 2023 in the Aki Studio. Concept, Choreography & Performance by Christine Friday. Co-presented by Friday Creeations and Native Earth Performing Arts. 

Nancy Saunders & Olivia Ikey from Aalaapi, which ran June 8 – 10, 2023 at Ada Slaight Hall. Original Idea by Laurence Dauphinais and Marie-Laurence Rancourt, Production by Collectif Aalaapi. Presented by Native Earth, Le Théâtre Français de Toronto, in association with Luminato Festival.

Artists from Chapter 21, which ran March 23-26, 2023 in the Aki Studio. Produced by Raven Spirit Dance, Presented by Native Earth. This dance/theatre piece explored what happens when a vibrant, active artist comes face to face with a crippling collision of events.

Starr Muranko – Choreographer & Performer
Yvette Nolan – Director
Michelle Olson – Mentor

We finished our spotlight series with artists from the Dora-nominated production, Niizh!

Niizh, written by Joelle Peters, and produced by Native Earth Performing Arts, ran April 12 – 30, 2023 in the Aki Studio. This coming-of-age comedy, set on a reserve in Southwestern Ontario, followed the youngest of the ‘Little’ family, Lenna Little, as she prepares to leave home for the first time.

Jessica Campbell-Maracle – Stage Manager
Jason Macdonald – Actor
Theresa Cutknife – Actress
Richard Comeau – Fight Director
Nishina Loft – Costume Designer

Check out the hashtag #NIHM on Social Media to see what other organizations did to celebrate National Indigenous History Month!