Native Earth Performing Arts

Native Earth Performing Arts Native Earth Performing Arts is Canada’s oldest professional Indigenous theatre company.

Canada’s Oldest Professional Indigenous Theatre Company ✨
Home of Contemporary Indigenous Performance 🎭
Amplifying the Future of Storytelling
📍Tkaronto Currently in our 39th year, we are dedicated to developing, producing and presenting professional artistic expressions of the Indigenous experience in Canada. Through stage productions (theatre, dance and multi-disciplinary art), new scr

ipt development, apprenticeships and internships, Native Earth seeks to fulfill a community of artistic visions. It is a vision that is inclusive and reflective of the artistic directions of members of the Indigenous community who actively participate in the arts.

Native Earth Performing Arts is so excited to be a part of ‘DOORS OPEN TORONTO’ this year!Come learn more about our bran...
05/22/2026

Native Earth Performing Arts is so excited to be a part of ‘DOORS OPEN TORONTO’ this year!

Come learn more about our brand-new Minogitoon Workspace on Sunday, May 24, from 10AM-5PM

** Aki Studio and the NEPA offices will not be open to the public during this time.

Details on DOORS OPEN:
“Explore Toronto’s unique buildings and sites for free during Doors Open weekend. Discover the people, places and stories that make the city a global mosaic.

Share your Doors Open experience using .”

We join our colleagues and loved ones in grieving the loss of Cris Derksen. A prolific cellist and composer, Cris was al...
05/17/2026

We join our colleagues and loved ones in grieving the loss of Cris Derksen. A prolific cellist and composer, Cris was also a dear friend and collaborator to so many. An absolute force, an incredibly talented musician, and a true inspiration. We'd like to send our deepest condolences to Cris' family and friends in this sudden, great loss. Travel well, Cris. We are grateful for the time we had with you, and your memory will live on. Baamaapii.

Call for: Artistic DirectorApplication Deadline: July 03, 2026 Overview: Native Earth is seeking an Artistic Director to...
05/07/2026

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 ...
05/07/2026

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-...
04/28/2026

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: n...
04/15/2026

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!)

HAPPY CLOSING to WHITE GIRLS IN MOCCASINS💛Chi miigwetch to everyone who worked on this show, and a special shout out to ...
04/12/2026

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 :)
Photos by: Kate Dalton

Submissions have been EXTENDED for WEESAGEECHAK BEGINS TO DANCE 39.New deadline: April 15, 2026APPLY NOW at: nativeearth...
04/10/2026

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!)

3 more performances of “White Girls in Moccasins” left!Get your tickets at: nativeearth.ca 🎟️Friday April 10th 7:30pm (R...
04/10/2026

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

04/09/2026

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 🎟️

Address

585 Dundas Street East, Suite 250
Toronto, ON
M5A2B7

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+14165311402

Website

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