Indigenizing the Role of Ally

This article promotes best practices for engaging in cross-cultural collaboration with Indigenous performance on Turtle Island (North America). It uses personal examples from Executive Director Cole Alvis (Métis-Irish heritage from the Turtle Mountains in Manitobah) of the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance’s collaboration with the National Arts Centre English Theatre and Debajehmujig Theatre, called The Study/Repast. This large-scale immersive exploration of Indigenous performance saw over forty Indigenous artists gather on Manitoulin Island in Ontario. The outcome of this work was seen by national artistic leaders and is available for videostreaming on the National Arts Centre’s website. This article contextualizes reactions from the Indigenous performance community to the lack of Indigenous actors playing Indigenous roles in a Toronto production of The Unplugging by Yvette Nolan, a co-production between Factory Theatre and Native Earth Performing Arts. Using first-hand observations, this article aims to inspire allies, for while the path may not always be easy it is necessary for everyone on this land to acknowledge we are all treaty people and support Indigenous performing arts.