Oshkagoojin
Indigenous
Theatre for
Youth
A Home of Indigenous Youth Theatre in Winnipeg.
Registration Now Open
for growing voices
Middle Years Indigenous Theatre | Ages 10–14
Growing Voices Middle Years Theatre
(Ages 10–14)
Growing Voices is a 10-week theatre program for Indigenous youth ages 10–14. The program offers a supportive, welcoming space for youth to explore storytelling, movement, and performance through voice, body, and imagination.
Led by Indigenous theatre artists and educators, Growing Voices focuses on ensemble building, creative expression, and collaboration, working toward a shared final performance during our Spring Equinox Celebration.
Program Details
Ages: 10–14
When: Tuesdays | Jan 20 - Mar 24, 2026 |
5:45p - 7:45pm
Location: Prairie Theatre Exchange | 3rd Floor | Portage Place
Duration: 10 weeks
Registration
👉 Register through our intake form (through google forms):
(You will be contacted with next steps once the form is received.)
Our story
The Oshkagoojin Indigenous Theatre for Youth (OITY) program grew out of a commitment to create Indigenous-led spaces where young people could learn, create, and perform theatre rooted in their own traditional teachings and voices.
After years of building programming within colonial structures, Nova Courchene transitioned to ensure that Indigenous youth could continue to access theatre spaces that reflects their cultures, stories, and communities.
OITY matters because it gives Indigenous youth a stage to grow confidence, connect with each other, and carry forward traditional and contemporary storytelling.
Program Information
Teen Classes (15-18)
Rising Voices
Registration closed!
Middle Years (10-14)
Growing Voices
Registration now open!
Early Years (6-9)
YOUNG VOICES
TBA
Rising Voices is a 10-week Indigenous youth theatre program in Winnipeg for teens ages 15–18. Through cultural teachings, languages, and drama games, youth explore storytelling in a fun and creative space that celebrates their voices on stage.
Growing Voices is a 10-week intake focuses on teamwork, improvisation, and script development, giving students the tools to bring stories to life in studio.
Dates: January 20 – March 24, 2026 (Tuesdays)
Performance: March 24, 2026 (Spring Equinox Celebration)
Young Voices program is designed especially for our youngest participants, introducing them to the magic of theatre through storytelling, movement, and drama games. With narration and guided play, youth learn the building blocks of performance in a fun, supportive environment.
Dates: April 13 – June 15, 2026 (Tuesdays or Thursdays)
Performance: June 20, 2026 (Summer Equinox Celebration)
Heather Russell-Smith, Drama Educator
Issa Kixxen, Producer
"Nova is a generous and empathetic mentor, who facilitates the rebirth of Indigenous voices in positive and uplifting ways."
Trudy Hart, parent and gaurdian
“Nova Courchene is such an invaluable person to collaborate with. She brings self-confidence to young Indigenous actors through her various Theatre Programming. As an Indigenous performer, she creates work for other people like me. She is fierce and talented."
“When Nova came to Norway House, she was able to teach our history through fun, play and interaction and was an innovative way of rooting the learning in young minds and spirits. They often reflect on their history.”
OITY Team
Meet the Indigenous artists, educators, and theatre professionals guiding the next generation.
Several of our teachers and assistants began as students in our program, and today they return as mentors, educators, and working theatre professionals. They are joined by Indigenous artists from the national stage who bring their expertise and cultural knowledge to the classroom, showing youth what is possible when their voices are nurtured. Together, this team reflects the heart of Oshkagoojin: a circle of growth where former students become leaders, and nationally recognized talent helps guide the next generation of Indigenous storytellers.
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