Presented by Gwaandak Theatre as part of Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39
Northern Indigenous Play Readings
Friday November 20th, 2026 | 7:30 PM Start
Sunday November 22nd, 2026 | 2:00 PM Start
Featuring two scripts in development by Christine Genier & Keira Ash
Let us tell you a story…
Join Gwaandak Theatre as we present Northern Indigenous Play Readings at Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39! This Season, we are excited to be sharing readings of two new scripts in development - Ämbäya Shäw/Big Aunties written by Yukon First Nation playwright Christine Genier (Ta’an Kwäch’än Council) and Dègok'eek'ǫ̀ǫ: the Land, it is burnt written by Tłı̨chǫ Dene playwright Keira Ash. 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 39th Weesageechak Begins to Dance is RESURGENCE, celebrating the ever-urgent necessity for Indigenous storytelling in an inspirational and revitalizing gathering of stories, performances, conversations, and workshops.
A very special thank you to Native Earth Performing Arts for their amazing support!
EVENT: The Lottery by Waverley Stanley Jr & Northern Indigenous Play Readings by Gwaandak Theatre (Ämbäya Shäw/Big Aunties by Christine Genier)
DATE: Friday November 20th, 2026
TIME: 7:30 PM Start (Ontario Time)
LOCATION: Aki Studio, Toronto ON
COST: $15 Admission ($30-$60 Festival Passes are also Available here)
EVENT: The Lottery by Waverley Stanley Jr & Northern Indigenous Play Readings by Gwaandak Theatre (Dègok'eek'ǫ̀ǫ: the Land, it is burnt by Keira Ash)
DATE: Sunday November 22nd, 2026
TIME: 2:00 PM Start (Ontario Time)
LOCATION: Aki Studio, Toronto ON
COST: $15 Admission ($30-$60 Festival Passes are also Available here)
For the most up-to-date details about these events, please check out Native Earth Performing Arts’ website and social media!
Ämbäya Shäw/Big Aunties
Written and Directed by Christine Genier
Intergenerational love, laughter, and lessons as Aunties and Nieces make dinner.
Work in Progress
Content Warnings: Adult Language
Dègok'eek'ǫ̀ǫ: the Land, it is burnt
Written and Directed by Keira Ash
One day, kǫ̀ (fire) gets out of control and begins burning the ts'ınè (forest)! What will the plants and animals do? This is a play about the climate crisis, remembering our gifts, and being prepared to support one another in times of need. These emergencies and evacuations aren’t going away, so we better smarten up! Can we? Find out in Dègok'eek'ǫ̀ǫ: the Land, it is burnt.
This work is dedicated to the children of the North, to the failures of government, and an outstanding belief that tomorrow will be better than today.
Content Warnings: Mentions of forest fires, evacuations, and climate change
Meet the Creative Team
Keira Ash - Playwright & Director - Dègok'eek'ǫ̀ǫ: the Land, it is burnt
Christine Genier - Playwright & Director - Ämbäya Shäw/Big Aunties
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My name is Keira Ash, I am Tłı̨chǫ Dene and grew up in Somba K’e Denendeh (Yellowknife, NWT), a city in the middle of the boreal forest. From my childhood bedroom I could hear Dı̀gatsoa (coyote) howling at night, see curious Nǫgèe (fox) crossing the road, and in the morning discover that Tatsǫ̀ (raven) got into our garbage! All fantastic auditions.
As for me, I’ve been working, volunteering, and learning in the Arts for a decade now.
I'm multidisciplinary like most of us, currently auditioning for Playwright.
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Shoutout to all of my friends who have shown up to feast and read this play together, both on lək̓ʷəŋən lands (Victoria, BC) and in Chief Drygeese territory (Yellowknife, NWT). Thank you to BTW's Artists Mentorship Program (AMP) for their support, and all the pals I’ve made there. Thank you to Gwaandak Theatre for their belief in my silly little play. Masì cho to all the Elders past, present, and future, who have shared their knowledge and stories so that I am able to ground this work despite being so so far from home.
Headshot by aja sy
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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
Playwright & Director - Ämbäya Shäw/Big Aunties | Christine Genier
Playwright & Director - Dègok'eek'ǫ̀ǫ: the Land, it is burnt | Keira Ash
*Please note that Actors may not be present at both readings.