National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre

National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre
Name	National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre
Location	Ottawa
Opened	2017
Owner	National Arts Centre

National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre The National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre is a professional Indigenous theatre company based in Ottawa that produces, commissions, and presents works by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists. Founded amid national conversations following events such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the 2015 Canadian federal election, the company operates within the National Arts Centre alongside departments dedicated to music, dance, and English-language theatre. Its leadership and repertory reflect collaborations with Indigenous cultural institutions including the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and Métis National Council.

History

Established in 2017, the company emerged after proposals from leaders in the Indigenous rights movement, advocacy from artists connected to the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, and recommendations influenced by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action. Early seasons featured co-productions with companies such as Native Earth Performing Arts, Tarragon Theatre, and Crow’s Theatre, while artistic directors recruited talent from networks including the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Canadian Heritage arts programs. Landmark seasons responded to national moments like the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential schools and dialogues following the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples legacy, prompting tours to venues such as the Centaur Theatre, National Arts Centre's Southam Hall, and festivals including Toronto Fringe Festival and PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.

Mission and Mandate

The Indigenous Theatre's mandate centers on producing Indigenous-authored work that advances cultural resurgence, linguistic revitalization, and protocols associated with nations including Cree, Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Mi'kmaq, Dene, Tlingit, Inuit, and Métis. Its mission statement aligns with funding frameworks from the Canada Council for the Arts, policy priorities voiced during the 2015 Canadian federal election, and cultural programming models used by the Canada Arts Training Fund and Indigenous Languages Act. Governance structures incorporate advisory relationships with bodies such as the Assembly of First Nations and regional organizations like Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and the Manitoba Métis Federation.

Productions and Programming

Programming spans mainstage productions, workshop series, and touring projects, showcasing plays by playwrights linked to companies like Native Earth Performing Arts, Mouthpiece Theatre, and festivals including Stratford Festival and Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Notable productions have included works by playwrights who have received awards such as the Governor General's Award, the Siminovitch Prize, and the Dora Mavor Moore Awards, and have involved collaborations with directors and designers from institutions including the National Theatre School of Canada, Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), and the University of British Columbia. Programming also features interdisciplinary projects that incorporate artists associated with the National Ballet of Canada, Canadian Opera Company, and choreographers from Biennale de Montréal-linked initiatives.

Notable Artists and Alumni

Alumni include playwrights and performers who have worked with organizations like Native Earth Performing Arts, Tessitura, and festivals such as the Vancouver International Film Festival, and who have been recognized by awards like the Dora Mavor Moore Awards, the Siminovitch Prize, and the Governor General's Award. Collaborators have included celebrated figures who trained at the National Theatre School of Canada, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and the Juilliard School exchange programs, as well as cultural leaders connected to the Assembly of First Nations and research fellows from the Canadian Museum of History.

Community Engagement and Education

The company runs outreach and educational initiatives in partnership with institutions such as the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, and post-secondary programs at the University of Ottawa, the University of Toronto, and Carleton University. Workshops and residencies emphasize Indigenous languages promoted under the Indigenous Languages Act and arts pedagogy consistent with programs funded by the Canada Council for the Arts and curriculum collaborators from the First Nations University of Canada and Nunavut Sivuniksavut. Community programs have included touring youth performances for communities served by organizations like Kaien Island Community Services, cultural exchanges with the Pacific Northwest Ballet and mentorships supported by foundations such as the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation.

Facilities and Partnerships

Housed within the National Arts Centre campus, the company makes use of stages in facilities comparable to those used by the Stratford Festival and partners with producing organizations including Native Earth Performing Arts, Tarragon Theatre, and the Crow's Theatre. Institutional partners span federal and cultural agencies such as the Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, and the Department of Canadian Heritage, as well as Indigenous organizations including Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Assembly of First Nations, and the Métis National Council. Touring and co-production partners have included international presenters linked to events like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Sydney Festival.

Category:Theatre companies in Ottawa Category:Indigenous theatre in Canada