Montreal · Quebec
The Indigenous Advisory Circle was formed at the National Theatre School (NTS) in the spring of 2021. It is composed of a diverse group of established Indigenous artists and NTS alumni. Their goal is to influence and strengthen the School’s pedagogy by contributing an Indigenous worldview, and to create opportunities for the French and English sections to come together through Indigenous artistic practice.
The Circle’s members are involved in helping to create inclusive policies, recommendations for governance, developing community for students with Indigenous ancestry and bringing awareness and education to the administration and faculty at NTS. In this way, they hope not only to bring about a deeper awareness and appreciation of the rich artistic landscape of Indigenous performing arts, but also to help students deepen their understanding of themselves as artists.
The land on which the National Theatre School carries out its activities has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst nations. It is part of the traditional unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka, whose rich cultural heritage continues to teach us that respect, dialogue and peace are pillars of democratic governance.
NTS has established itself as a centre of excellence in theatre training. It has earned this reputation through pedagogical practices that are constantly questioned, re-evaluated, adjusted, equally divided between tradition and modernity, transmission and creation.
A unique audio storytelling experience based on memories from Indigenous community members interpreted by Indigenous artists.