2025/2026 Gwaandak Season
If you want to get involved in the Upcoming Season, check out our posted opportunities here:
Apply now to the National Indigenous Artist Development and Showcase Program!
Kiyanaan Indigenous Theatre Festival in partnership with Native Earth Performing Arts and Gwaandak Theatre invites First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists to apply to the National Indigenous Artist Development and Showcase Program. This new initiative supports the development of new, unproduced work across performance disciplines—including theatre, dance, music, puppetry, clown, cabaret, drag, and more. This groundbreaking opportunity supports creation from the seed stage to early presentation, with access to mentorship, support, and two national presentation opportunities. We welcome submissions from emerging and established artists.
In this inaugural year of the program the selected artist(s) will work to develop a new performance piece with the support of all three festivals and organizations, with the goal of creating a 30-60 minute piece that can be presented at varying stages of development in all three festivals.
Find out more details about artist criteria* for this first year and how to apply at: echotheatre.net/national-indigenous-artist
Application Deadline: October 10th, 2025
*For this first year, the program is seeking submissions from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists who are residing in Manitoba or with deep community and/or familial ties to Manitoba. We recognize the impact of colonial borders and seek to honour those with strong relationships to this land, wherever they currently reside.
Stay tuned for more announcements regarding partnerships & events this Season!
7th Annual Awaken Festival April 12th-26th, 2026
Featuring in-person and digital workshops, cultural presentations, performance showcases, and more, all in an effort to celebrate the different ways we can gather and connect. Join us in Whitehorse YT & Online each spring.
Stay tuned for more details about this Season’s Awaken Festival over the coming weeks!
Indigenous Summer Play Readings - July 2026
This annual tour creates opportunities for emerging theatre artists, promotes stronger community connections, and showcases Indigenous scripts throughout the Yukon (and sometimes beyond!) every summer.
Stay tuned for more details about this Season’s ISPR tour over the coming months!
Vuntut Gwitchin Stories
In 2018 Gwaandak Theatre, led by Patti Flather and Leonard Linklater, partnered with the Vuntut Gwitchin Government to find new ways to share traditional stories and celebrate the Gwich’in language.
The result was a series of radio plays recorded in 2019 with both Gwich’in and English casts: Ch’iitsii Khał Datl’oo (The Blue Cruiser), Tl’oo Thał (Grass Pants), and Vah Srigwehdli’ (The One Who Survived), as well as an English language version of Shanaghàn Neekaii Nanaa’in Hah (Two Old Women and the Bushman).
Enjoy these stories anytime throughout the Season!
Want to help support Gwaandak Theatre’s programming & be part of our shared story? We are seeking Sponsors for our 2025/26 Season & would love to meet with you - check out our benefits package today!
Banner Image: Savage is a Word in the English Dictionary, Brefny Caribou. Awaken Festival 2025. Photo by Colbourne Creative.
