Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39
Annual Development Festival of Indigenous Work
November 19- November 29, 2026
Aki Studio
Weesageechak Begins to Dance is Native Earth Performing Arts’ annual performing arts festival showcasing new works and works-in-development by Indigenous artists across Turtle Island and beyond. Now, in its 39th edition, eight Creators have been invited to develop and showcase new works that put Indigenous artists and their creative impulses at the forefront, shifting the expectations of Indigenous stories in the performing arts landscape.
Guided by this year’s festival theme of RESURGENCE, Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39 will run from November 19-29, 2026, celebrating the ever-urgent necessity for Indigenous storytelling in an inspirational and revitalizing gathering of stories, performances, conversations, and workshops.
Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39 Projects are:
Presentations
• The Poisoner's Daughter by Danielle LaRose
• The Lottery by Waverley Stanley Jr
• IXKAME: Baile de los ancestros (Jaguar Death: Dance of the ancestors) by B'atz' Recinos
•[soft waters] by Erica Wilson
• Shelter from the Storm by Curtis Kaltenbaugh
• The 7 Fires: A New Musical by Dillan Meighan Chiblow
• Northern Indigenous Play Readings presented by Gwaandak Theatre
Workshop Stream in association with Factory Theatre
• OLD MAN AND LITTLE MAN by Izzy Bull Bear
• A Nightmare at Uncle's Place by Shawn Cuthand
More info about our free, public Ancillary Programming coming soon.
Festival Schedule
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7:30 | Aki Studio
Opening Ceremony
The Poisoner's Daughter by Danielle LaRoseW39 Creators Roundtable
$15
Followed by an opening-night reception.
Click here for more details.
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7:30 PM | Aki Studio
The Lottery by Waverley Stanley Jr
Northern Indigenous Play Readings presented by Gwaandak Theatre
$15
Click here for more details.
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10:00AM - 4:00PM | Giizis Studio
Animikiig Creators Unit Sharing (Drop-In)7:30PM | Aki Studio
IXKAME: Baile de los ancestros (Jaguar Death: Dance of the ancestors) by B'atz' Recinos
The Poisoner's Daughter by Danielle LaRose$15
Click here for more details.
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2:00 PM | Aki Studio
The Lottery by Waverley Stanley Jr
Northern Indigenous Play Readings presented by Gwaandak Theatre
$15Click here for more details.
-
7:30 PM | Aki Studio
(Audio-described presentation , Active Listeners on site)[soft waters] by Erica Wilson
IXKAME: Baile de los ancestros (Jaguar Death: Dance of the ancestors) by B'atz' Recinos
$15
Click here for more details. -
7:30 PM | Aki Studio
Relaxed Performance
[soft waters] by Erica Wilson
Shelter from the Storm by Curtis Kaltenbaugh
$15
Click here for more details. -
7:30 PM | Aki Studio
Active Listeners on site
The 7 Fires: A New Musical by Dillan Meighan Chiblow
Shelter from the Storm by Curtis Kaltenbaugh
$15
Click here for more details. -
8:00 PM | Bevy Space
738 Dundas St E
WAAWOONO
A Weesageechak Begins to Dance Revue
$15
Click here for more details. -
8:00 PM | Bevy Space
738 Dundas St E
The 7 Fires: A New Musical by Dillan Meighan Chiblow
Voices of Aki Panel
$15
Click here for more details. -
In October 2026, Izzy Bull Bear and Shawn Cuthand, Creators from Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39, will develop their works with mentor Mel Hague as part of the third iteration of the Weesageechak Begins to Dance Workshop Stream, presented by Native Earth Performing Arts in association with Factory Theatre.
Click here for more details.
W39 Festival Team
Festival Producer
Yago Mesquita
Festival Lighting Designer
Aidan Jackson
Festival Production Manager/ Technical Director
Julia Howman
Assistant Technical Director
Adam Bromley
Festival Marketing Assistant
Trinity Lloyd
Accessibility Consultant
The Disability Collective
Active Listeners
HELD Agency