Winnipeg welcomes Indigenous theatre festival

For the first time ever, the Kiyanaan Indigenous Theatre Festival is taking the stage in Winnipeg for two days full of storytelling.

This inaugural event aims to showcase Indigenous talent in Manitoba and create more opportunities for the next generation.

“It’s all talent from in and around Manitoba,” said Charlene Van Buekenhout, the producer of the Kiyanaan Indigenous Theatre Festival.

“I just hope that it does inspire the youth to say hey there’s lots of way for me to be involved creatively.”

Produced by the Echo Theatre, this event focuses on bringing people together to share stories, experience, and talent. “Kiyanaan” is a Southern Michif word that means “us,” and was part of the inspiration for this festival.

“I’m part of the Michif revitalization for that particular language and I thought it was really great to showcase that we’re still here, we’re still speaking, and we’re still creating culture and language,” said Van Buekenhout.

Van Buekenhout, who is both the producer of this festival and a performer, says it was four years ago when she was inspired to bring this to Winnipeg and is hopeful it will become an annual event.

“There’s such important stories coming out of our communities here that I’d love to share out for a more national and international stage.”

Featuring a variety of workshops and shows for both youth and adults, she hopes the festival will create more local opportunities for Indigenous creators and provide a bright future for theatre.

“I hope it looks vibrant, I hope it looks sustainable and feels like a comfortable place for everyone to feel like they can share their stories,” said Van Buekenhout.

The Kiyanaan Indigenous Theatre Festival continues Sunday, with programming running from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Prairie Theatre Exchange.