YAWENDA’

YAWENDA’ 

An exhibition celebrating 40 years of Indigenous theatre in Quebec

YAWENDA’ brings together history, creativity, cultural transmission and identity. Presented as an outdoor circuit, the exhibition looks back on 40 years of Indigenous theatre in Quebec. It focuses on three main eras, starting with the theatre of mythology and healing, embodied by the pioneering Ondinnok company, whose name is Wendat for “theatrical healing ritual that reveals the secrets of the soul.” The Indigenous cultural renaissance led to the creation of several more companies, defining the second era. The third era is that of contemporary Indigenous theatre, illustrated by four companies: Ondinnok, Onishka, Menuentakuan and Production AUEN.  
  
A video projection called Woli kpotenom | Purification complements the photographic exhibit. In the Balmoral block, in Espace ONF, there is also a display of costumes from the landmark Ondinnok play Xajoj Tun Rabinal Achi, along with a documentary about one of the company’s co-founders, Yves Sioui Durand. Discover these artists and the deep themes of their productions, whose memorable stories forge strong bonds through their voice, language and dialogue.

Voices speak out in unison 

“YAWENDA’ celebrates the power of Indigenous theatre as a space for healing, memory and cultural resistance. This retrospective summons a living breath joining the voices of yesterday and today in a deep-rooted and thoroughly contemporary artistic approach, while preserving the ancestral aspect. I am profoundly moved by this opportunity to show the public who we are, and I hope that the sounds, words and images we have chosen for this exhibition – all essential parts of our being – will touch your heart.”

— Dave Jenniss, artistic director, Ondinnok 

Exhibition credits 

Artistic director: Dave Jenniss 
Visual design: Maxime Jenniss 
Content research and writing: Jean-François Côté   
Archives: Cécile Diaz 
Music: Étienne Thibault 
Manager: Nathalie Delorme 
Project manager: Marie-Claire Moraine 
Project coordinator: Mélisande Goux 
Copy editing: Isabelle Dowd 
Translation: Ronald Clément 
Archival documents: Productions Ondinnok

A co-production of Ondinnok and the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada.

Video projection credits

Video artist: Mélanie O’Bomsawin
Original concept: Dave Jenniss

About Ondinnok

Founded in 1985 by Yves Sioui Durand (Wendat Nation), Catherine Joncas (Québécoise) and John Blondin (Déline First Nation, Northwest Territories), Ondinnok was born of a sense of urgency to rebuilt the Indigenous imagination and create a theatre grounded in the ancestral values of the First Peoples. Backed by decades of experience, Ondinnok expresses its identity with commitment and boldness, transmitting its knowledge to the next generation of artists. Its theatre is powerful medicine aimed at healing and reconciliation and guided by respect, truth, non-judgment and courage.

Find out more

About the National Film Board of Canada

Founded in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a one-of-a-kind producer, co-producer and distributor of engaging, relevant and innovative documentary and animated films. As a talent incubator, it is one of the world’s leading creative centres. The NFB has enabled Canadians to tell and hear each other’s stories for over eight decades, and its films are a reliable and accessible educational resource. The NFB is also recognized around the world for its expertise in preservation and conservation, and for its rich and vibrant collection of works, which form a pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 7,000 of which can be streamed free of charge at nfb.ca. The NFB and its productions and co-productions have earned over 7,000 awards, including 11 Oscars and an Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema.

Biographies

Dave Jenniss

For over 20 years, Jenniss has played a key role in promoting Indigenous cultures through theatre as a playwright, actor, screenwriter, and director. Since 2017, he has also served as the artistic director of Productions Ondinnok. His work with Ondinnok, the first French-language Indigenous theatre company in Canada, along with his numerous works incorporating Indigenous narratives and traditions, has established him as an influential and respected creator. Drawing on his Wolastoqey identity, Jenniss creates a unique universe that blends ritual, dreamlike elements, and reality. His writing, directing, and actor guidance—marked by authenticity—have earned him significant recognition within the artistic community. His plays explore themes related to identity, cultural transmission, and Indigenous spirituality. His impact is evident in landmark works such as Wulustek (2008, 2011), Pokuhule / The Drum of Time (2012), Mokatek and the Vanished Star (2018), Ktahkomiq (2018), Nmihtaqs Sqotewamqol / The Ashes of His Bones (2021), Toqaq Mecimi Puwiht / Delphine Still Dreams (2022), and Tupqan / Our Inner Territories (co-written, 2025).

Mélanie O’Bomsawin

First mother, then daughter and granddaughter, Mélanie O’Bomsawin is also an editor, scenic projection designer and new media artist. Born to a Abenaki parent and a Québécois, she works with video in all its forms to explore her relationship with those who came before and those who will follow. Her work focuses on questions of identity, tradition, memory and transmission. The narrative sovereignty of first peoples is at the heart of her reflections, and Mélanie hopes to create the archives of the future and recreate the pixels of the past. She creates for past and future generations.