Indigenous Summer Play Readings 2026
July 2026
Let us tell you a story…
Ämbäya Shäw/Big Aunties
Written and Directed by Christine Genier
Intergenerational love, laughter, and lessons as Aunties and Nieces make dinner.
Work in Progress
---
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 taking 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. Tickets are pay-what-you-want and are available online and at the door prior to the reading.
Featuring Tyra Ashauntie, Jules BEE, Dez, Christine Genier, Trinity, and Kelly Deels Vittrekwa
Inuvik, NWT - Friday July 10th - 5:00PM 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.
Featuring Tyra Ashauntie, Ayak Gloria deVilliers, Christine Genier, and Friends
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 the reading. Buy your tickets online now in order to confirm your spot!
If price is a barrier, please email us at info@gwaandaktheatre.ca by end of day on Thursday July 16th.
Featuring Desirae Anderson Umą Łakan, Tyra Ashauntie, Christine Genier, Jade Lacosse, Kikchuks / Rae Mombourquette, and Friends
Meet the Playwright & Director
-
Christine Genier is a Wolf Clan citizen of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. (Yukon) She is a writer, poet, performer, storyteller, and a lifelong worker in language and culture. Her latest work, Dear Star Trek, ran for two nights in February at the Old Fire Hall, bringing the piece home after performing for audiences in Vancouver, BC and Wolfe Island, Ontario. Christine works to help keep her family and ancestral languages, Tageesh Koshé and Dawkwanjé. She is a gatherer of stories and moderator of talks.
CREDITS
Featuring Desirae Anderson Umą Łakan (Whitehorse), Tyra Ashauntie, Jules BEE (Dawson City), Ayak Gloria deVilliers (Inuvik), Dez (Dawson City), Christine Genier, Jade Lacosse (Whitehorse), Kikchuks / Rae Mombourquette (Whitehorse), Trinity (Dawson City), Kelly Deels Vittrekwa (Dawson City), and Friends
Playwright & Director - Ämbäya Shäw/Big Aunties | Christine Genier
Artistic Associate | Tyra Ashauntie
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).