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
The centrepiece of YAWENDA’ is a series of seven outdoor display cases. Each one highlights an important facet of 40 years of Indigenous theatre. The sequence begins with Ondinnok, a pioneering company whose name means “theatrical healing ritual” in the Wendat language. Next, the exhibition explores the world of mythological theatre (1985-1995) and the theatre of healing (1995-1999), both inspired by a desire to revitalize Indigenous identity. The show also highlights the importance of cultural transmission and commitment to younger generations. It pays tribute to three leading companies in the contemporary renewal (1999 to present): Onishka (founded in 2011), Menuentakuan (founded in 2015) and Productions AUEN (founded in 2019). Each of these companies embodies, in its own way, the boldness, diversity and vitality of contemporary Indigenous creation.
Located in the Balmoral block, NFB Space hosts an indoor portion of the exhibition paying tribute to the deep roots of Indigenous theatre. The location is highly symbolic: just steps away, in 1985, Ondinnok presented its very first work, in a space that would later become part of the Quartier des Spectacles. This foundational moment marked the arrival of a strong Indigenous voice on Quebec’s stages.
In this space, the public is invited to discover the original costumes for Xajoj Tun Rabinal Achi, an iconic Ondinnok play inspired by Mayan traditions. A documentary about Yves Sioui Durand, one of the company’s co-founders, takes an inside look at the career of a visionary artist whose work has profoundly influenced the Indigenous cultural scene. Archival materials, images, props: each part of the exhibition becomes a living piece of memory, where the past, present and future of Indigenous theatre meet and interact.
With its powerful images, the video projection Woli kpotenom | Purification reveals the power of the land and the people inhabiting it. The work explores the almost spiritual relationship that can exist between a city, its people and the need for renewal. Montreal is depicted as a living space in constant transformation driven by memory, presence and hope in a purification process.
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