Want to save money on festival tickets? Purchase our 3-Ticket Pass or 6-Ticket Pass to see festival presentations for only $10.00 each.

This year’s artists include:

Dillan Meighan Chiblow
Waverley Stanley Jr
Shawn Cuthand
B'atz' Recinos
Izzy Bull Bear
Erica Wilson
Curtis Kaltenbaugh
Danielle LaRose

as well as sharings from:
• Gwaandak Theatre
• Native Earth’s Animikiig Creator’s Unit: Shyanne Duquette, Iota’keratenion Thomas-Beaton, and Cameron Fraser-Monroe

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.

Workshop Stream Dates:
October 12-25, 2026

Festival Presentation Dates:
Nov 19-29, 2026

FESTIVAL LINE-UP:

Thurs, Nov 19 - 7:30 PM (2h30m runtime)
Opening Ceremony
The Poisoner's Daughter by Danielle LaRose (Content Warnings: Gothic/horror themes, Disorientation, Blood, Discussion of Death, Discussion of Violence against women)
W39 Creators Roundtable
Post-Opening Reception

Fri, Nov 20 - 7:30 PM (2h runtime)
The Lottery by Waverley Stanley Jr (Content Warnings: Language)
(Accessibility Warnings: Yelling, Loud Noises, Possible Flashing lights and Strobing lights)
Northern Indigenous Play Readings presented by Gwaandak Theatre

Sat, Nov 21 - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Free, Drop-in style in Studio Giizis located in the Minogitoon Workspace in Daniel Spectrum Building 1st floor beside Aki Studio)
Animikiig Creators Unit Sharing

Sat, Nov 21 - 7:30 PM (2h runtime)
IXKAME: Baile de los ancestros (Jaguar Death: Dance of the ancestors) by B'atz' Recinos (Content Warnings: Burning of sacred medicines, Themes of madness/psychosis, Frightening images)
The Poisoner's Daughter by Danielle LaRose (Content Warnings: Gothic/horror themes, Disorientation, Blood, Discussion of Death, Discussion of Violence against women)

Sun, Nov 22 - 2:00 PM (2h runtime)
The Lottery by Waverley Stanley Jr (Content Warnings: Language)
(Accessibility Warnings: Yelling, Loud Noises, Possible Flashing lights and Strobing lights)
Northern Indigenous Play Readings presented by Gwaandak Theatre

Wed, Nov 25 - 7:30 PM (Audio-described presentation, 2h runtime and will have Active Listeners on site)
[soft waters] by Erica Wilson (Content Warnings: Sexual Content, Implied Nudity, Moments of Tension, Possible Fog, Loud music for 1 show, Psychiatric Conditions, Language & Tone, Environment & Sensory)
IXKAME: Baile de los ancestros (Jaguar Death: Dance of the ancestors) by B'atz' Recinos (Content Warnings: Burning of sacred medicines, Themes of madness/psychosis, Frightening images)

Thurs, Nov 26 - 7:30 PM (Relaxed performance, 2h runtime)
[soft waters] by Erica Wilson (Content Warnings: Sexual Content, Implied Nudity, Moments of Tension, Possible Fog, Loud music for 1 show, Psychiatric Conditions, Language & Tone, Environment & Sensory)
Shelter from the Storm by Curtis Kaltenbaugh (Content Warnings: Mature content, Coarse language, Sexual content, Substance use, Yelling, Violence )

Fri, Nov 27 - 7:30 PM (2h runtime and will have Active Listeners on site)
The 7 Fires: A New Musical by Dillan Meighan Chiblow (Content Warnings: Loud noises, Talk of colonial violence. Themes of Parents and kids being "taken")
Shelter from the Storm by Curtis Kaltenbaugh (Content Warnings: Mature content, Coarse language, Sexual content, Substance use, Yelling, Violence )

Sat, Nov 28 - 8pm (2h runtime)
Music and Comedy Night
-PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT BEVY (738 Dundas St E) we will have printed list of pre paid tickets and it will be cash at the door only. Venue is not completely accessible
EVENT DETAILS AND LINE UP TBA

Sun, Nov 29 - 2:00 PM (2h30m runtime)
The 7 Fires: A New Musical by Dillan Meighan Chiblow (Content Warnings: Loud noises, Talk of colonial violence. Themes of Parents and kids being "taken")
Voices of Aki