The Indigenous Arts Program is for emerging Indigenous performing artists of any experience, discipline, and skill level looking for personalized and flexible training. Three participants are offered space to be unapologetically Indigenous and develop skills to re-Indigenize and grow their artistic practice. Participants are invited to apply to the Indigenous Arts Program in addition to any other Paprika program stream that suits their interests and artistic practice.
In the first year, participants are provided the tools and guidance to create a fully original piece of performed art (could be theatre, dance, music, poetry, performance art…anything!). Mentors and guest artists help connect participants with the community and the Indigenous arts scene in Tkaronto and beyond (including Paprika partner company, Native Earth Performing Arts).
Participants have the opportunity to return for a second year in this program to further develop their training and their original work and deepen their relationships with new collaborators and mentors in the community.
This program is presented with support from Native Earth Performing Arts and TO Live.
Brefny Caribou
Brefny Caribou (she/her) is a performer and writer of Cree/Irish-settler descent based in Toronto. Holding an MFA in Acting from York University she focuses her practice on reimagining traditional theatrical hierarchies and telling Indigenous stories. She has developed her writing Savage is a Word in the English Dictionary through the Animikiig Creators Unit at Native Earth Performing Arts and Aluna Theatre’s Winter Artist Residency with an offering at the CAMINOS Festival (‘21). She was a collaborator on the world premiere of Aluna Theatre/Nightwood Theatre’s piece The Solitudes inspired by the world of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Márquez. As an actor, most recently, Brefny is in her 3rd season at the Stratford Festival with credits that include playing Zhaboonigan Peterson in The Rez Sisters (‘21) and Beth March in Little Women (‘22).
