Presented by Gwaandak Theatre as part of Weesageechak Begins to Dance 38
Northern Indigenous Play Readings
Sunday November 23rd, 2025 | 2:00 PM Start
Wednesday November 26th, 2025 | 7:30 PM Start
Featuring The Spirit of the Valley by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse & Constellation by Tyra Ashauntie
Let us tell you a story…
Join Gwaandak Theatre as we present Northern Indigenous Play Readings at Weesageechak Begins to Dance 38! We are excited to be sharing two scripts from the North and read by a Yukon-based cast: The Spirit of the Valley by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse and Constellation by Tyra Ashauntie. This touring presentation creates opportunities for emerging theatre artists, promotes stronger community connections, and showcases both new and returning Indigenous scripts to a variety of audiences. We invite you to experience these stories with us!
Weesageechak Begins to Dance, presented by Native Earth Performing Arts in Toronto ON, is an annual festival showcasing new works and works-in-development by Indigenous creators from across Turtle Island and beyond. The festival theme for the 38th Weesageechak Begins to Dance is Complexities and Curiosities, weaving stories, conversations, workshops, and more around a fulsome gathering of creativity and inspiration.
Check out the festival details here (Weesageechak 38 is taking place November 21st-30th, 2025)!
A very special thank you to Native Earth Performing Arts for their amazing support!
EVENT: Children of the Bear by Todd Houseman & Northern Indigenous Play Readings by Gwaandak Theatre
DATE: Sunday November 23rd, 2025
TIME: 2:00 PM Start (Ontario Time)
LOCATION: Aki Studio, Toronto ON
COST: $15 Admission ($60 Festival Flex Passes also Available here)
EVENT: mi historia que no es única by Jessica Esmeralda Zepeda, How Bono Saved my Life (Three Times) by Sonya Ballantyne & Northern Indigenous Play Readings by Gwaandak Theatre
DATE: Wednesday November 26th, 2025
TIME: 7:30 PM Start (Ontario Time)
LOCATION: Aki Studio, Toronto ON
COST: $15 Admission ($60 Festival Flex Passes also Available here)
For the most up-to-date details about these events, please check out Native Earth Performing Arts’ website and social media!
The Spirit of the Valley
Written by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse
Directed by Isabelle Katoogoo James-Walker
On a family vacation to their cabin nestled in the beautiful wilderness of Alaska, Tlingit twins Kaash and Shaa find themselves on the adventure of a lifetime! Suddenly separated from their family and from each other, they have to figure out how to reunite and above all, how to save the valley that they love so dearly. Join these clever kids on their journey as they face ferocious Wolves, rap battle the fast-talking Raven, reason with the dramatic Bear, and search for the elusive Spirit of the Valley. This show is fun for the whole family and asks the important question, “What can you do to protect the magnificent land and nature that surrounds you?”
This play was developed as the "Playwright in Residence" at La Jolla Playhouse and had itʼs World Premiere with Perseverance Theatre.
Ages 6+
Constellation
Directed by Colin Wolf
Written by Tyra Ashauntie
Join the story of a group of four teenagers navigating life and their sense of self in a small Indigenous rural community. Winter comes back from the city for the summer and soon realizes she may not be as welcomed back as she hoped. She goes on to spend time with her group of best friends. Winter, Nunkra, Emma and Clem soon discover that things are not always as they appear the older they get as they butt heads doing their best to understand life. The four continue to march through the madness of their small town, growing up, dysfunctional families, and blossoming romances all while trying to stick closely together and to keep life the same as before. Will they stick close together as they have for years or will the pain of growing be too much for this friend group?
This play was developed as part of the National Queer & Trans Playwriting Unit.
13+ (Any age under 13 is strongly advised to watch with a parent or guardian)
CONTENT WARNINGS: Homophobia, transphobia, domestic abuse / emotional abuse, financial abuse, homophobic slurs, hate speech, addiction, generational trauma
Banner: [L-R] Sydney Wolf, Roreigh Eftoda, Tyra Ashauntie, Rebecca Ballarin, Isabelle Katoogoo James-Walker, Jason Symanski, Colin Wolf, Keira Ash. Indigenous Summer Play Readings 2025. Photo by Michael McCann.
