Gwaandak Theatre

06/11/2026

It has now been just over one month since we wrapped the Seventh Annual Awaken Festival! We are so grateful to all of the individuals who contributed and helped make these 15 days and 45 events a success - shä̀w níthän, kwä̀nä̀schis, gunałchîsh 💜

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We would also like once again thank all of the amazing sponsors and supporters of the 2026 Awaken Festival -

Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, Government of Yukon, City of Whitehorse, Lotteries Yukon, Canadian Race Relations Fdn / Fondation canadienne des relations raciales, Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, Air North, Yukon's Airline, Northern Vision Development, What's Up Yukon, Klondike Institute of Art & Culture (KIAC), Whitehorse Aboriginal Women's Circle, Thumbs Up Good Work Theatre, Yukon Film Society, Playwrights Canada Press, Full Circle: First Nations Performance / Talking Stick Festival, Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA), Pivot Theatre, Prismatic Arts Festival, Chieftain Energy, Cultured Fine Cheese, La Petite Maison, and Tum Tum's Black Gilt Meats.

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*We sincerely hope that we have included everyone’s name and/or organization. We apologize to anyone we may have missed and deeply appreciate everyone who supported the Festival 💜

06/10/2026

Thank you to Colbourne Creative and Erik Pinkerton Photography for taking these amazing photos (and more!) during the three performance showcases presented at Awaken Festival 2026 📸

We also thank the visiting creative teams for sharing their stories with us, with a special shoutout to the creators - Philip Jonah Logan Geller (who will save the night sky?), Erica Wilson (Miss Carcass Caresse: Soft Waters), as well as Yvette Nolan and Joel Bernbaum & Climate Play Artists (Climate Play).

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Images 1-3 - who will save the night sky?

Featuring Philip Jonah Logan Geller

L-R - ASL Interpretation - Andrea Konowalec, Jody Morrison

Photography by Erik Pinkerton Photography - Awaken Festival 2026, Gwaandak Theatre

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Images 4-6 - Miss Carcass Caresse: Soft Waters

Featuring Erica Wilson

Photography by Colbourne Creative - Awaken Festival 2026, Gwaandak Theatre

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Images 7-10 - Climate Play

L-R - Yvette Nolan, Joel Bernbaum

L-R - Sydney Hunt, Katelyn Morish*ta, Colin Wolf, Krystle Pederson, Bevin Dooley

L-R - Sydney Hunt, Katelyn Morish*ta, Colin Wolf, Krystle Pederson

L-R - Stewart Legere, Scott Maynard

Photography by Colbourne Creative - Awaken Festival 2026, Gwaandak Theatre

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Interested in experiencing more of Awaken? We invite you to Save the Date today for next Season’s festival!

✨ Eighth Annual Awaken Festival
🗓 April 11th-25th, 2027
📍 Whitehorse YT & Online
💜 Presented by Gwaandak Theatre

06/02/2026

*Applications close June 30th!*

Gwaandak Theatre in partnership with Kiyanaan Indigenous Theatre Festival (Echo Theatre) and Native Earth Performing Arts invites First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists to apply to the National Indigenous Artist Development and Showcase Program. This initiative supports the development of new, unproduced work across performance disciplines - including theatre, dance, music, puppetry, clown, cabaret, drag, and more!

In this second year of the program, the selected artist(s) will work to develop a new performance piece, supported by all three festivals and organizations at varying degrees throughout the season, with the goal of creating a ~45-90 minute work that can be presented at all three festivals throughout 2027. Developing from an unproduced work to a nationally touring performance, the selected artist(s) will have access to mentorship and support provided by Gwaandak Theatre as well as three performance opportunities (in Winnipeg MB, Whitehorse YT, and Toronto ON) to showcase this new work.

For the 2026/27 Season of this program, we welcome submissions from both emerging and established Indigenous artists residing in the Yukon or with deep community and/or familial ties to the Yukon.

Applications Open: April 12th, 2026
Applications Close: June 30th, 2026
Recipient(s) Selected By: September 1st, 2026

To access the application form or to find out more, please our website at: gwaandaktheatre.ca/opportunities

05/19/2026

We are so pleased to be returning for 'Round Back at The Guild Hall on Friday July 17th as we present the 15th Edition of Indigenous Summer Play Readings - please stay tuned for more details about this Season's script, playwright, and tour locations 🤩

Tickets for this event as well as the other amazing 'Round Back presentations are on sale now - check out The Guild Hall's eventbrite link below to book your spot!

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/round-back-2026-4841416

Discover the most unique venue in the Territory and our exciting roster of Yukon artists this summer at the ‘Round Back Festival!

05/01/2026

MMIWG2S+ Awareness Days | May 3–5

Over three days, we will gather as a community to honor MMIWG2S+ through connection, learning, and remembrance.

May 3: Opening gathering at the fire pit — a space to connect, share stories, or simply be together.

May 4: Workshops for youth and community, including beading, cultural teachings, and consent education.

May 5 (Red Dress Day): Memorial walk, drumming, food will be provided and closing prayer .

Come for one day or all — everyone is welcome.🫶

04/30/2026

Artist Applications are now open for 'Round Back 2026! Happening Thursdays thru Saturdays July 9th to August 1st, our unique outdoor venue hopes to host a treasure trove of local talent. Want to participate? All you have to do is complete the form!

Not sure if you should apply, or have questions that aren't answered in the form? Please reach out to Brian Fidler, Artistic Director, at [email protected].

Link to Artist Application Form: https://forms.gle/kjFujAzHMoAwDADv6

04/30/2026

Join us on May 23rd from 1:00–4:00 PM in the KDCC Elders Lounge for a bead-making session with Judy Gingell, Nicole Bauberger, and Cheryl McLean.

Participants will create beads using fish leather, Yukon clay, and pages from Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow. These beads will become part of an art installation to be exhibited in September 2026.

All are welcome to stop by, get hands-on with interesting materials, and be part of this unique project.

04/30/2026

LAST WEEK TO SUBMIT ✨

“My Big Bougie Beaded* Earrings” Travelling Show is closing submissions soon! Get yours in now!

This awesome opportunity to be part of a northern travelling exhibition is open to Yukon First Nations and Indigenous artisans living in Yukon. Artists who participated in last year’s show are welcome to apply again for this travelling exhibit!

Selected artists will be paid for their submitted pieces.

🗓 Submission Deadline: May 3, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST

Submit here: https://forms.gle/CWBZ43TyMoyiSjS59

Need help with your submission? Whether it’s taking photos, titling your piece, pricing, or writing your artist statement — our curator Teagyn is here to support you. Reach out to her ASAP: [email protected]

04/29/2026

Now that the 2026 Awaken Festival is complete, we would like once again thank all of the amazing sponsors and supporters who made this festival possible - shä̀w níthän, kwä̀nä̀schis, gunałchîsh!

Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada, Government of Yukon, City of Whitehorse, Lotteries Yukon, Canadian Race Relations Fdn / Fondation canadienne des relations raciales, Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, Air North, Yukon's Airline, Northern Vision Development, What's Up Yukon, Klondike Institute of Art & Culture (KIAC), Whitehorse Aboriginal Women's Circle, Thumbs Up Good Work Theatre, Yukon Film Society, Playwrights Canada Press, Full Circle: First Nations Performance / Talking Stick Festival, Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA), Pivot Theatre, Prismatic Arts Festival, Chieftain Energy, Cultured Fine Cheese, La Petite Maison, and Tum Tum's Black Gilt Meats.

We also wish to extend a special thank you to the KDCC and their staff for their generous support as our Festival Hosts and to the Yukon Native Language Centre under the Council of Yukon First Nations for their support of a presentation that took place as part of the in-person Cultural Presentations day and to Yukon Words Society as an Affiliated Event partner.

Thank you all for your generous support 💜