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For this season, we bring you shows produced by Full Circle for the Talking Stick Festival. We have also partnered with many performing arts and Indigenous non-profit organizations to bring you a richer virtual experience of Indigenous arts and culture content from across Canada.
Visit our Artist Page to find out more about the performers, artists and co-presenting partners.
Visit our Show Event Schedule for more details.
Film (May 31 — June 7)
Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival invites you to explore 35 films from Indigenous artists and filmmakers around the world. Find animated films, documentaries, short films, feature lengths films and music videos, and more. Learn about the perspectives and experiences of Indigenous Peoples from Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil and Fiji.
In partnership with the Dreamspeakers Festival Society
Film (Available to Jun 30)
Soulpepper Theatre offers a new opportunity to experience Margo Kane’s seminal theatre piece, Moonlodge, as an audio drama. The play speaks to the colonial tragedies that shape today’s society – but also to self-determination. Premiered in 1990, it toured internationally for 10 years and still serves to inspire new Indigenous theatre creation.
Multi-discipline (Jun 1 — 21)
The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival is a family-oriented multi-disciplinary annual arts festival. The Festival represents the cultural diversity of the urban Indigenous community, with participation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. Events include live music, dance, educational workshops, culinary classes and more.
In partnership with the National Indigenous Peoples Day Committee (NIPD)
Storytelling (Jun 3 — Jul 1)
In 2019, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Commission released their report. In 2020, artists from varied disciplines responded. This digital iteration offers twelve audio-visual works honouring the lives of these Indigenous women, girls, Trans, and Two-Spirit people, creating a sacred space to reflect, heal and find renewed hope.
Co-presented with Native Earth Performing Arts, Nightwood Theatre, New Harlem Productions and The Cultch.
Storytelling (starting Jun 3)
Gifted by Indigenous memory-holders in 3 locations, Ottawa, Saskatoon and Vancouver, and interpreted by Indigenous artists, this storytelling series reveals history and memory of lands now obscured by cities. Listeners are invited to experience an original piece of auditory theatre, and to go into their community and see the land in new ways.
In partnership with Savage Society and the National Arts Centre
Music (Jun 7 — 12)
Join a unique gathering of artists, knowledge keepers, community builders, key invited allies and cultural innovators. Indigenous artists and the music industry are coming together to honour tradition and forge new paths. The schedule includes curated musical showcases, the Giiwewizh series, networking activities, panels, discussions and ceremonies
In partnership with the Indigenous Music Alliance
Film (Jun 10 — 24)
Journeys to Adäka is the story of seven indigenous artists who look to the past for the strength to overcome a legacy of hurt, becoming cultural giants and leaders in the process. This one-hour documentary follows its subjects as they prepare for the Festival in Whitehorse, inviting viewers into carving sheds, kitchens and community halls.
Theatre (Jun 8 — 12)
The Pimootayowin Creators Circle brings together six artists – established in their own artistic practices but new to playwriting – to each develop a play for the stage. You’re invited to join their creative journey in this play-reading series. The series is led by Governor General Award-winning playwright Ian Ross, and assisted by Katie German.
Co-presented with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Center
Discussion (Jun 18)
In this edition of Talking Truths, we bring together four women who have blazed the trail for other Indigenous women to find their path into the performing arts. Be a witness as Margo Kane, Renae Morriseau, Sharon Jinkerson-Brass and Rosemary Georgeson share their professional legacy stories and consider the future of Indigenous women in the arts.
Co-presented with O. Dela Arts Society
Music (Jun 12)
The SSIMAs celebrate excellence, artistic voice and legacy in a range of music genres for recording, video and live performance, and for cultural contribution, significance, legacy and social voice. The 2‑hour show features awards in 17 categories, and live performances from among the 70+ finalists. A live stream from Ottawa’s National Arts Centre.
In partnership with National Indigenous Peoples Day Committee (NIPD)
Dance (Jun 15)
Our Ancestors are with us; we dream of them, we listen for their presence, we dance with them, we dream with them and awake to new understandings to share with the people. The Talking Stick Festival is honoured to present dance performances by Christine Friday, Maura García and Rebecca Sadowski.
Reading (Jun 16)
Join multiple award-winning author, Lee Maracle and her daughters, Columpa Bobb and Tania Carter as they read from Hope Matters. Written collaboratively, the poems in Hope Matters blend their voices into a shared song, taking us on the journey of Indigenous people from colonial beginnings to hope and reconciliation. Check June 16 for podcast link.
In partnership with Western Gold Theatre Society
Music (Jun 18)
Tara Williamson’s stunning new album, Enough, hits the streets this June – and you’re invited to the online launch party! Tara and her band play songs from the record, including the first single, “Almost” — released in March and now on the Indigenous Music Countdown. This special concert is produced by acclaimed musician and producer, Aidan Knight.
Visual Arts (June 21)
Nch’u7mut cheshá7 temíxw / Giving Back to Mother Earth is a land-based video and photography art exhibition that investigates how our relation to the land has shifted or deepened as a result of the disruption caused by the pandemic. Curated by Amina Creighton-Kelly.
Theatre / Music (Jun 21)
It’s Ondinnok Theatre’s 35th anniversary gala! To celebrate 35 years of artistic creation and resistance, the company presents Mawessine (“united” in Wolastqey), a gathering of their extended artistic family to revisit and honour the company’s history. It includes five short performance pieces inspired by some of the company’s flagship productions.
Co-presented with Les Productions Ondinnok
Theatre (Jun 21 — 27)
Stories around a campfire, dances in the woods, songs under the night sky, standup comedy in a parking lot—the 2021 Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival is bringing fabulous performing experiences into the fresh air on the Trent University campus in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough. Chosen by lottery per Fringe tradition, 6 artists/groups will perform.
Co-presented with the NIFF Collective
Film (Jun 21 — Jul 4)
A film series celebrating Indigenous voices in cinema, showcasing strong, engaging stories from First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Maori filmmakers while showing the beauty, complexities and vibrancies of Indigeneity around the globe. Films selected by Indigenous Curators Rylan Friday, Jasmine Wilson and Sharon Fortney for Indigenous History Month.
Co-presented with The Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society and The Museum of Vancouver
Music / Theatre (Jun 25)
Join the Hitchhikers – Jamie Thomson (Haida Nation) and Dennis Joseph (Squamish Nation) – two of the coolest cats you’ll ever know! Be there as they jam some stories with music and mix it up with some laughter. Come kick back, relax, stick out your own thumb — and get your groove on! Please check back on June 25 for the YouTube link to view.
In partnership with Western Gold Theatre Society
Music (Jun 25)
The duo of Yung Trybez and Young D from the Haisla Nation, Kitamaat Village burst onto the Canadian hip-hop scene in 2017 and show no signs of slowing down. Their music seamlessly weaves trap beats with lyricism- challenging Indigenous stereotypes and creating a new generation of club bangers that are equal parts thought-provoking and dance-worthy.
Co-presented with TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival (Ticketed event)
Music (Jun 28)
Diyet will take us on a journey through song that celebrates the land she calls home and the language of her ancestors. Her musical motivation is the preservation of her language, the Kluane dialect of Southern Tutchone. There are only 3 speakers left of Kluane and she is working hard to make sure the language survives in her songs and in her life.
Co-presented with Adäka Cultural Festival and the Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association
Artist Talk (Jun 28)
As part of The Who We Are Film series, a panel discussion will be shared livestream with the guest artists Zacharias Kunuk — Antanarjuat and Violet Nelson — The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open, facilitated by Odessa Shuquaya & Rylan Friday.
Music (Jun 28)
A Gypsy Blues band born of the wild rose country, A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette a.k.a. Badlands Jass (vocals/bass/drums) write and perform original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves. “Their musicality is outstanding, their presentation is spellbinding and their original songs are unforgettable.”
Co-presented with TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival (Ticketed event)
Multi-disciplinary (Jul 1)
A celebration of story, dance and song featuring an award-winning Children’s Book Launch, Stand Like a Cedar by Nicola Campbell with illustrations by Carrielynn Victor, Curtis Clearsky and the Constellations, Coastal Wolfpack (Tsatsu Stalqyu), and JB The First Lady.
Book Reading (Jul 1)
Award winning storyteller Nicola I. Campbell reads from her newest children’s book ‘Stand Like a Cedar’ with Carrielynn Victor’s art illuminating every page of this beautiful journey.
Music (Jul 4)
Kookum, an Indigenous DJ and videographer, has been making a name across the country and here at home; this diverse mix diva slays on the decks and always keeps it hype, fresh, and unpredictable. Performing with Kookum is Sierra Baker, an award-winning dancer, artist, and storyteller who combines hip-hop, contemporary, and Indigenous dance styles.
Co-presented with TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Music (Jul 4)
A true force of nature, actress, storyteller and social activist, Dalannah Gail Bowen is best known as a revered singer and songwriter – and celebrated as the matriarch of the Vancouver Blues scene. Here she honours the enduring legacy of the great Billie Holiday alongside pianist Michael Creber, Miles Hill (bass), and Dave Say on saxophone.
Co-presented with TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival (Ticketed event)
Performance (July 8)
Grand Acts of Great Hope unites Tsatsu Stalqayu’s (Coastal Wolfpack) traditional Salish performance with Mortal Coil’s European-based outdoor theatrical techniques in an event that honours the land’s creatures, illuminated by song, dance, prayer and procession. It happens on a site joining past and present – sən̓aʔqʷ (settler name: Vanier Park).
Co-produced with A Mortal Coil/Tsatsu Stalqayu
Performance (Aug 8)
Building on Annea Lockwood’s classic 20th Century conceptual music composition, Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa performs a newly commissioned piece by Russel Wallace and Jeffrey Ryan’s Fornax Chemica (Chemical Furnace) on the piano (while it burns), in a Kevlar dress by Métis designer Evan Ducharme. Fire becomes a vehicle for reclamation and decolonization.
Co-presented with the Queer Arts Festival