The Indigenous Arts Program is for emerging Indigenous performing artists of any experience, discipline, and skill level looking for personalized and flexible training. Two artists 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 from Native Earth Performing Arts and NAC Indigenous Theatre
Brefny Caribou
Brefny Caribou is a performer, writer, and educator of Cree/Irish-settler descent based in Tkaronto. Holding an MFA in Acting from York University she loves telling Indigenous stories and making people giggle. She has worked across Turtle Island on productions of The Tempest (Theatre Rusticle), Otîhêw (Shakespeare in Action), and completed 3 seasons at the Stratford Festival in Little Women (Beth March), and The Rez Sisters (Zhaboonigan Peterson). Most recently she played Susan Blackbird in the Canadian Stage/Belfry production of 1939. Brefny has worked as an Acting Tutorial teacher at Sheridan College since 2019 and is entering her 3rd year facilitating the Indigenous Arts Program at the Paprika Festival. Her writing has been featured in many festivals including Groundswell (Nightwood Theatre), Brave New Works (Theatre Aquarius) and the Weesageechak Begins to Dance festival (NEPA).
Entering my fourth year facilitating the Indigenous Arts Program, I feel myself hitting a stride and growing my ability to connect artists with tools and I am excited to continue to challenge what leadership in this space feels like. Working with artists of various disciplines, I know I won’t always have the exact language or expertise and that invites a humility and curiosity into the role that I embrace. My goal is to cultivate an environment where artistic growth can take place; to hold space for discussion, questions, laughter, and connection for Indigenous storytellers. Working with Keita and Jane-Leigh this year has reminded me of the power of movement and dance as forms of expression, a language that communicates the spirit of our stories in a way that is both embodied and impactful when words seem insufficient.
Ever grateful to Amanda Lin and Julia and all of the staff at the Paprika Festival for their leadership, camaraderie, and candour in creating this vital space for emerging artists. And to my parents, Paddy, and Poe for holding it down.
— Brefny Caribou, 2026 Indigenous Arts Program
