AMPLIFYING VOICES THROUGH ALLYSHIP: FAR NORTH DANCE AND DRAMA PROGRAMS
At The Travelling Stage, we are honoured to work in partnership with Northern communities through our Far North Dance and Drama Programs. Guided by a spirit of allyship, respect, and cultural humility, these programs are co-created with community partners to support youth in sharing their stories and celebrating the diverse cultures, languages, and traditions of the region.
Through creative arts and wellness education, the programs help participants strengthen identity, build confidence, and explore self-expression while developing literacy and communication skills. Each initiative is designed to promote inclusion, self-esteem, and self-expression.
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have collaborated with 22 communities and 2 school boards across the Northwest Territories. The connections, creativity, and shared learning that have emerged reflect the strength and wisdom of the Far North.
The Travelling Stage remains committed to listening, learning, and walking alongside communities in ways that honour local knowledge, amplify youth voices, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the North.
The Travelling Stage
BUILDING CONNECTION THROUGH FAR NORTH DANCE AND DRAMA PROGRAMS
In partnership with the Dehcho Divisional Education Council and the Beaufort-Delta Education Council, The Travelling Stage is honoured to work alongside schools in 22 Northern communities across the Arctic. Together, we create space for creative expression and storytelling that reflect the cultures, experiences, and voices of each community.
Wherever we are invited to collaborate across Canada, our focus remains the same — to listen, learn, and support connection through the arts. These programs are about amplifying local voices, honouring stories, and sharing creativity in ways that build understanding and community.
Through this ongoing collaboration, we continue to learn from the diverse perspectives of the North and recognize the arts as a meaningful way to connect, reflect, and grow together.
It’s all art!
The Travelling Stage goes to Fort Simpson
The Travelling Stage
FAR NORTH AND REMOTE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Celebrating Northern Voices: The Travelling Stage in the Northwest Territories
Now in our fourth year of programming in the Far North, The Travelling Stage is honoured to continue its partnership with the Dehcho Divisional Education Council (DDEC). Together, we collaborate with schools in 22 remote communities across the Arctic, using the arts as a way to support creative expression, storytelling, and connection.
Our shared goal is to amplify Northern voices and provide meaningful opportunities for students to explore identity and communication through the arts. Each year, we are grateful to work and learn alongside educators, students, and communities who share their stories and perspectives with openness and creativity.
- Sambaa K’e: Despite weather challenges, students and community members collaborated on a project that brought local stories to life through drama and dance. The program culminated in a community presentation and included support for local Halloween activities.
- Fort Simpson: Elementary students reimagined local legends through devised theatre, blending movement, drama, and mask work. High school students explored the theme of “What is art?” through filmmaking, alongside creating a stunning community mural.
- Jean Marie River: For predominantly non-verbal students, creative movement, dance, and yoga became powerful forms of expression. Artists embraced the natural environment, participating in daily nature walks with students.
- Fort Providence and Kakisa: Programming ranged from creative movement and drama to short film creation. Students explored storytelling, filmmaking, and visual arts, culminating in videos and performances rooted in their local environment.
- Fort Liard: Students brought Dene myths to life through drama and visual arts, including costume and mask creation. They also explored filmmaking and improv, producing documentaries that highlighted community life and identity.
- Fort McPherson: Students explored spoken word and traditional jigging while older students interviewed Elders and created videos about local traditions. The final presentation brought the community together for a feast, performance by local fiddlers, and celebration of student creativity.
- Inuvik: Artists engaged students in dance, creative writing, drama, and video production. The program culminated in a joint school celebration featuring student videos, photography, live performances, and a hall filled with student-created art.
- Sachs Harbour: Working closely with the school principal, students explored puppetry, building a puppet theatre and incorporating Indigenous languages into their final performance. Collaboration with the Indigenous language teacher brought depth and authenticity to the project.
- Paulatuk: Students expressed themselves through drama strategies such as tableau, improv, and teacher-in-role exercises, culminating in a vibrant final drama and creative movement presentation.
- Tsiigehtchic: Projects spanned dance, storytelling, and filmmaking. Students explored themes of past, present, and future, creating a film titled Empowered Together, offering solutions to community challenges and celebrating unity.
- Aklavik: Middle and high school students created a video presentation, while younger students brought stories to life through drama. The community’s support and involvement enhanced the program’s impact.
- Ulukhaktok: Students devised The Blizzard of Ulu, an original theatre work inspired by The Wizard of Oz, incorporating Inuktun with support from the Indigenous language teacher. Older students created short films and an art gallery wall, and the community gathered for a feast and drum circle to celebrate the final presentation.
- Tuktoyaktuk: Elementary and High School students expressed themselves through movement, wellness and drama and Travelling Stage artists were embraced by the community and invited to attend their annual dogsled races.
“Love is something you and I must have. We must have it because our spirit feeds upon it. We must have it because without it we become weak and faint. Without love, our self-esteem weakens. Without it, our courage fails. Without love we can no longer look out confidently at the world.” — Chief Dan George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation of Canada
Gallery - Our Curriculum Programs
