Indigenous Summer Play Readings 2026
Touring the Yukon and NWT - July 2026
Ämbäya Shäw/Big Aunties by Christine Genier
Ämbäya Shäw/Big Aunties
Written and Directed by Christine Genier
Intergenerational love, laughter, and lessons as Aunties and Nieces make dinner.
Work in Progress
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Let us tell you a story…
Join Gwaandak Theatre for our 15th Edition of Indigenous Summer Play Readings! This Season, we are proud to be sharing readings of a new script in development - Ämbäya Shäw/Big Aunties - written by Yukon First Nation playwright Christine Genier (Ta’an Kwäch’än Council) with presentations taking place throughout the Yukon and NWT. This annual summer tour creates opportunities for emerging theatre artists and promotes stronger community connections, all while showcasing Indigenous scripts - including new and developing works - to local audiences. We invite you to experience this story with us!
Content warning for adult language
~45 Minutes
Readings will take place July 2026 throughout the Yukon & NWT!
Dawson City, YT - Tuesday July 7th - 7:00 PM Start / 6:30PM Doors
Presented by Klondike Institute of Art and Culture - Dënäkär Zho / KIAC Ballroom
For ticket details, please visit kiac.ca.
Inuvik, NWT - Friday July 10th - 5PM Start
Presented as part of the 2026 Great Northern Arts Festival - Midnight Sun Complex
To find out more about the festival, please visit greatnorthernartsfestival.org.
Whitehorse, YT - Friday July 17th - 7:00 PM Start / 6:30PM Doors
Presented as part of ‘Round Back @ The Guild Hall - The Guild Hall
Tickets to the July 17th reading are available on Eventbrite alongside the other performances being presented as part of ‘Round Back @ The Guild Hall. A limited number may also be available at The Guild Hall prior to each event. Buy your tickets online now in order to confirm your spot!
If price is a barrier, please email us at info@gwaandaktheatre.ca.
Thank you to the funders, supporters, and presenting organizations of the 2026 Indigenous Summer Play Readings!
Indigenous Summer Play Readings 2026 is funded by The Government of Yukon, Canada Council for the Arts, and The City of Whitehorse. Funding for Gwaandak Theatre is made possible through the assistance of Arts Operating Fund - Annual Operating Component, Department of Tourism and Culture, Jen Gehmair, Minister.
Thank you to Northern Vision Development LP (NVD) and Air North, Yukon’s Airline for their continued support of touring artists throughout our Season and to What’s Up Yukon for supporting our print and digital marketing.
We are also grateful to this year’s presenting organizations - Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (Dawson City YT), Great Northern Arts Festival (Inuvik, NWT) and The Guild Hall (Whitehorse YT).
