Canada’s National Arts Centre unveils its inaugural season of the world’s first national indigenous theatre
The season will celebrate indigenous women’s resilience, strength and beauty ,with nine productions out of eleven written and created by women. In addition to English and French, more than ten indigenous languages will be spoken in the works presented next year, including Anishinaabermowin , Coast Salish, Cree, Gitxsan, Inuktitut, Kalaallisut , Nlkaka’pamux’stn.and many other languages,
The artistic director of the new indigenous theatre is Kevin Loring , award winning playwrite, director and actor from the Nlaka ‘pamux Nation in British Columbia and by Managing Director Lori Marchand from the Syilx First Nation and former executive director of Western Canada Theatre.
Christopher Deacon and Kevin Loring
Kevin Loring speaks of an indigenous renaissance as the work that has been done over the past decade was part of the Centre”s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. This new department of Indigenous theatre, (which will share the NAC with French Theatre and English theatre) is an “ historic and significant milestone in our history “ says Cristopher Deacon , president and CEO of the NAC. This significant initiative builds on the relationship that theNAC has been fostering for decades with exceptional indigenous artists.