Canadian Indigenous creative group Native Earth Performing Arts has revealed the program for its upcoming 43rd season.
Filled with exciting premieres and explorative collaborations including the Toronto Premiere of Mischief by Lisa Nasson, the Toronto premiere of UPU from Aotearoa's UPU Collective, White Girls in Moccasins by Yolanda Bonnell, the return of the Niimi'iwe Dance Double Bill and more, the event is set to engage and educate attendees.
Native Earth Performing Arts artistic director, Joelle Peters, said the program seeks to honour and lift contemporary voices of Indigenous storytelling.
"Our 25/26 season will feature Indigenous works from across Turtle Island and beyond," Ms Peters said.
"Connected by explorations of blood memory, complexities and curiosities, honouring our ancestry and keeping spirit alive."
In 2025, Native Earth invites everyone to celebrate the upcoming season with their 3rd annual Community Fire Gathering held on October 19th in Regent Park, Toronto. The Community Gathering Fire is a space for supporters and friends to celebrate the changing seasons and anticipate another fantastic season of Indigenous performance.
Whilst there is several highlights in the 2025/26 Native Earth Performing Arts Season Weesageechak Begins to Dance – 38th edition, is set to draw a crowd.
Taking place from November 21st-30th at Aki Studio, Weesageechak Begins to Dance is an annual two-week festival that will showcase new works and works-in-development by 10 Indigenous creators from across Turtle Island (North America) 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.
The 2025 Weesageechak Begins to Dance features multiple talented creators and mentors including Tara Beagan, Ange Loft, Samantha Sutherland, Montana Summers and more.
"The phrase, 'It's complicated' can be applied to many things, and often is when it comes to the Indigenous experience. So, let's talk about it at Weesageechak," Ms Peters said of this year's theme.
"Let's share our complications; our complexities, our histories, our stories, our ideas."
This year Paprika Festival will also return. Paprika Festival is proud to be in its 10th year of partnership with Native Earth Performing Arts, presenting the 25th annual Paprika Festival in the Aki Studio for a week of showcases, workshops, community gatherings and more by emerging artists.
Paprika Festival is a performing arts company that offers emerging artists and arts administrators access to paid opportunities, mentorships, and hands-on labs to develop their artistic practices and gain professional experience in production and arts management. This work culminates in a performing arts festival of new work by young and emerging artists.
Recognised as Canada's oldest professional Indigenous theatre company, Native Earth Performing Arts 43rd season is set to be filled with numerous noteworthy premieres and events.
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