Nova Courchene, Drama Educator
Empowering Youth Through Performance and Storytelling
Join Nova Courchene in transformative theatre workshops designed to ignite creativity and foster local Indigenous knowledge and languages. With a focus on Indigenous narratives and performance techniques, these workshops offer a dynamic platform for youth to explore and express their voices.
Through her work as a Drama Educator, Playwright, and Visual Artist, Nova integrates Indigenous perspectives to inspire creativity and traditional storytelling in young people.
Committed to providing Theatre Workshop outreach, she ensures theatre opportunities are accessible to those who need them most, fostering a lifelong love for learning and artistic expression. Nova’s multifaceted approach empowers Indigenous youth to find and celebrate their voices through the transformative power of theatre.
Looking for an Indigenous-led program to engage your students?
Nova Courchene’s theatre workshops offer vibrant, inclusive spaces designed to ignite creativity and foster self-expression in youth across diverse communities.
As an experienced Indigenous Drama Educator, Nova creates safe, culturally rich environments for storytelling. Her workshops build confidence and introduce participants to local Indigenous traditions, enriched by Elders and language speakers.
As an Indigenous facilitator, she creates safe spaces for storytelling and connection, empowering participants to build confidence and explore their unique experiences.
Expect laughter, fun, and meaningful growth in every workshop!
Workshop Offerings:
TRADITIONAL STORYTELLING & THEATRE TIED TO THE LAND
Explore how the thirteen moons and seasonal changes guide Indigenous communities. Engage with puppetry and expressive arts to tell stories that connect deeply with the land.
Capacity: 25 students | Duration: 2+ hours
EMBODYING THE SEVEN TEACHINGS THROUGH THEATRE
Dive into the Seven Sacred Teachings using drama techniques to bring these core values to life. Through voice, body, and imagination, students gain a profound understanding of humility, respect, courage, wisdom, love, honesty, and truth.
Capacity: 25 students | Duration: 2+ hours
EXPLORING TRICKSTERS THROUGH STORYTELLING
Indigenous communities across Turtle Island tell stories of the Trickster. Students will learn about traditional storytelling through legends, teachings and personal stories, and explore the stories of Tricksters and the animal forms they may take.
Capacity: 25 students | Duration: 2+ hours
Location: Your school or community space
WEEK-LONG DRAMA PROGRAMS
In this tailored Indigenous-led program, one of our experienced instructor will encourage and engage, while developing your students’ theatrical skills and confidence.
Students will explore the tools of voice, movement and improvisation, learn why the art of storytelling is important, learn about the exciting possibilities and pathways to explore a future in the arts, as we incorporate Indigenous languages and ways of knowing into drama warm ups and exercises.
The program will culminate in an end-of-week showcase to celebrate the relationships created and knowledge shared.
Capacity: 15 students | Duration: 25-30 hour
*First Nations are tax exempt
Previous Theatre Outreach Communities & Schools:
Obashkodeyaang First Nation School (Lake St Martin)
Wanipigow (Hollow Water) First Nation
Wasagamack First Nation
On behalf of SECFS:
Little Grand Rapids First Nation
Pungaissi First Nation
Minegoziibe Anishinabe Jordan’s Principle (Pine Creek)
Isaac Brock
Jordan’s Principle Wabaseemoong
Moosehorn School
OK Before & After School Child Care Centres Inc.
Norway House Cree Nation Chief & Council
On-going Projects
Programs for Youth
Visit our Facebook Page
2024
Summer Drama Education: 3 Weeks of creativity for a performance at York Boat Days in Kinosao Sipi
(Norway House Cree Nation)
2023
150 Celebration of York Boat Days
wīsāhkīcahk stories
In our theatre programming with the Cree Nation of Kinosao Sipi, we delved into significant historical and cultural themes, including treaty signings, the Fur Trade, York Boat history, and traditional Cree ways of life. We invited community members to share their expertise, enriching the scripts and performances with authentic insights and elements of the Cree language. This collaborative approach to writing the script, titled "kayas manā (the way it was)", with youth ensured that our work not only reflected the community’s rich heritage but also honored their voices, traditions and language.
Videos
Watch videos of the 2023 performance at the 150 York Boat Days Celebrations.
In 2024, the youth focused on local legends through a script crafted by Camp Director Nova Courchene, featuring characters from traditional stories, including those shared by the late Byron Apatgon. Characters such as wīsāhkīcahk, Weetigo, Achikosis, Loon, the Little People, Chukapace, and Grandma were brought to life. We invited Elders and community members to contribute their knowledge of Kinosao Sipi’s way of life and included the Cree Language. The youth performed the play, showcasing their work and honoring their language.
Memories
The kids of askîy âcimona invite you to join them for "wīsāhkīcahk stories" characters created for social media.
Theatre Professionals
Every year, Askiy Acomina welcomes an Indigenous actor or theatre professional to Norway House. Explore the remarkable individuals who have shared their talents with our community.
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All digital artwork © Nova-Jean Rose Courchene
