IPAA Intertribal Gathering

About Intertribal Gathering

IPAA’s Intertribal Gathering travels to different communities each year, featuring local artists in Indigenous performance showcases, spotlighting Indigenous leaders in the region and encouraging national artistic leaders to connect with the work emerging across Turtle Island (North America). The Gathering will feature showcase performances by some of Canada’s top Indigenous theatre, dance, and musical performers.

Design by Emma Hassencahl-Perley
Group Photo
IPAA co-hosting international Indigenous gathering. Photo Credit: Michelle Olson.

Call for Gathering Hosts!

IPAA is seeking host organizations to partner with for Intertribal Gathering 2025.

We look forward to bringing our community together in a new place in the spirit of learning and sharing Indigenous Culture.

Every two years, IPAA’s Intertribal Gathering travels to different communities each year, features local artists in Indigenous performance showcases, spotlightsIndigenous leaders in the region and encourages national artistic leaders to connect with the work emerging across Turtle Island (North America).

ITG is an opportunity for Indigenous artists and arts professionals, and our allies, to connect, exchange knowledge, learn from each other, and experience performances from top Indigenous artists.

The Gathering will feature showcase performances by some of Canada’s top Indigenous theatre, dance, and musical performers.

We are seeking organizations to partner with to host ITG on their territory.  This could include making a venue space available, or having ITG participants attend a major festival or cultural presentation.  Tell us about your organization, what you do, and why you think you would be a good host for ITG25.

At this time, we are only looking to partner with Indigenous-focused organizations, but non-Indigenous allies are welcome at ITG.

ITG25 can take place at any time of year in 2025.

For an overview of ITG 2023, see the ITG23 page on our website.

Applications are due by Monday, October 2, 2023. We will follow up with applicants by the end of October.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO HOST ITG25 IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Sharon Shorty and Harlan Pruden at the Da Kų Cultural Centre, as part of Intertribal Gathering 2018. Photo Credit: Miquel-Dangeli.

Past Intertribal Gathering Host Cities

2013 Ontario Showcase at Cahoots Theatre, Toronto

2014 Prairie Showcase at La Cite, in collaboration with Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company, Saskatoon, SK

2015 Indigenous Language Showcase at Native Earth Performing Arts in collaboration with Aluna Theatre, Toronto

2016 Northwestern Showcase at Da Kų Cultural Centre in collaboration with Aboriginal Curatorial Collective in Haines Junction and Whitehorse, Yukon

2018 Urban and Rural Arts Showcase at Aanmitaagzi (The Big Medicine Studio) in North Bay, ON

2021 Intertribal Gathering, Online Edition

2023 Kjipuktuk (Halifax)

Fancy shawl dancer
Nyla Carpentier performing at the 2018 Intertribal gathering. Photo Credit: Mique’l Dangeli.

Intertribal Gathering 2023 Highlights

In 2023, the IPAA community gathered in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) for our first in-person gathering since 2018.

Showcase host: Jessica Brown

Workshop facilitator: Terri-Lynn Brennan

May 10 – Dance Showcase

  • Sid Bobb + Penny Couchie
  • Sarah Prosper
  • Michael R. Denny

May 11 – Music Showcase

  • Urban Surf Kings
  • Dee Dee Austin
  • Deantha Edmunds

May 12 – Theatre Showcase

  • Clifton Cremo
  • shalan Joudry

ITG23 Photo credits: Conor McSweeny