News

Native Women in the Arts (NWIA) is thrilled to join other Indigenous organizations across the province as a new recommender for the Ontario Art Council’s (OAC) Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials (IVAM) program. IVAM supports Ontario-based First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists working in the visual arts, crafts or traditional/customary Indigenous art forms by providing Grants of $500 or $1000 help cover the cost of buying art materials and supplies.  As a recommender NWIA will receive and assess IVAM applications from artists and make recommendations to the OAC for funding. Recommended applications are then forwarded to OAC for payment directly to the artists.

NWIA will review applications on an ongoing basis starting in September until January 31st, 2025, or until our allocated budget for the IVAM program is spent (whichever is first).

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
The Ontario Arts Council supports Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) creativity and celebrates the vitality of diverse cultural and artistic expression. This program is for Indigenous applicants only. In the application you will be required to state your Indigenous nation and community and clearly speak to your lived experience. Indigenous OAC staff members administer the program, and all applications are assessed by Indigenous organizations.

In keeping with a mandate to advance Indigenous cultural and artistic expression by Indigenous women and other Indigenous gender marginalized folks, recommenders NWIA will prioritize supporting First Nation, Métis and Inuit Women as well as other gender marginalized people though this program. NWIA respects trans women as women and uses the term gender marginalized to be inclusive of transfeminine people who may not identify as women, trans men and transmasculine people, Two Spirit, non-binary and gender queer people. 

ELIGIBLE ART FORMS
Art forms include, but are not limited to: basketry (birch bark, black ash, willow, etc.), beading, birch bark work, carving, drawing, drums, rattles and instruments, glass, hide tanning and fur processing, installation, jewelry, leather work, metal work, mixed media, moccasin making, painting, photography, pottery, printmaking, quillwork, sculpture, textile art (embroidery, quilts, weaving, etc.),regalia, traditional tattooing, tufting, woodworking (snowshoe making, tamarack goose making, etc.)

Please refer to the Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials web page for details on eligible applicants and expenses. https://www.arts.on.ca/grants/indigenous-visual-artists-materials

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Artists look at the Ontario Arts Council – Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials webpage and choose a suitable recommender to apply to from the list of Ontario Arts Council – Recommenders for Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials

2. Artists fill out an application form through the OAC’s online application platform Nova and submit it to the recommender of their choice.

3. Recommenders review and assess applications 

4. Recommenders submit assessments to OAC  (NWIA will asses applications as they come in and submit our recommendations to OAC within 30 days of receiving the application from artist.)

5. OAC notifies artists of their results through Nova.

6. Awarded artists enter their SIN number and acknowledge their notification letter in Nova.

7. OAC mails grant cheques to artists.

Applications for funding through the IVAM program must be submitted by artists through OAC’s online grant application system Nova. Before applying artists must create an online profile in Nova. 

Your application will include:

1. Your answers to application questions

2. The name of the recommender you are applying to (for example NWIA)

3. Artistic examples – images or video documentation of your own (8 images maximum)

4. Artist resumé (optional but recommended)

Complete instructions and details on the required elements of an IVAM applicatio can be found within the application itself in Nova.

OAC can arrange offline submissions for persons with limited internet access, and oral applications for Indigenous persons if requested. For additional information, read the Alternative Services and Application Processes page or contact the IVAM program administrator Maggie Lucas mlucas@arts.on.ca 437-538-3626 Toll-free in Ontario: ​​​​​​​​​​1-800-387-0058

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Artists who have a conflict of interest with a particular recommender  organization may not apply to that recommender. An artist is in a conflict of interest if they are: an employee or board member of the recommender organization, a member of a committee or jury reviewing IVAM applications for the recommender, or an immediate family members of those described above.
DEADLINE
The 2024-2025 Ontario Arts Council’s Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials program (IVAM) is now open and closes January 31, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET. NWIA will review applications on an ongoing bases until January 31st, 2025, or until our allocated budget for the IVAM program is spent (whichever is first).

NWIA CONTACT
Contact Artistic Director of Native Women in the Arts- Quach George at events@nwia.ca if you have any questions about NWIA as a recommender, or regarding eligibility and eligible art forms for the IVAM program.

Native Women in the Arts is pleased to announce the shortlisted nominees and winner of the 9th Annual Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award: 

The Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award recognizes outstanding emerging Indigenous (Status and Non-Status First Nations, Métis, Inuit) artists from Northern Ontario who are women or otherwise gender marginalized (transfeminine, transmasculine, non-binary, gender non-conforming, Two Spirit). NWIA recognizes the specific barriers that many Northern artists face, and we aim to support Indigenous artists from Northern Ontario by creating connections, professional development, and performance opportunities through our programming initiatives. 

Each of the five shortlisted nominees will be acknowledged with a $1,500 award and the winner will receive a prize of $5,000. The winner and their work will also be featured on our website.

The shortlisted nominees for the 9th Annual Barbara Laronde Award are Lucia Laford, Amber Waboose, Sara Kanutski, Leslie Neshkiwe, and Acadia Solomon.

The Winner of the 9th Annual Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Awards is Mishiikenh Kwe Autumn Smith.
 

Mishiikenh Kwe

Mishiikenh Kwe (Turtle woman, Autumn Smith) is an Anishinaabe woodland artist from the caribou clan, and a member of Magnetawan First Nation. Her research based practice revolves mainly around using art as a way to remember what she has learned and to help teach others. Autumn’s main inspirations are stories passed on from her grandmother and moments taken directly from her own lived experience as an Anishinaabe Kwe.
 

Saabe Dream c.2023

Mishiikenh Kwe was selected from a number of nominees from across Northern Ontario. NWIA’s Artistic Director, Quach George remarked: “ On behalf of the Board and staff of NWIA, we are thrilled to present this award to Mishiikenh Kwe and to recognize her commitment to the development of her artistic practice. We are confident that Mishiikenh Kwe has a great future ahead of her and wish her, the shortlisted candidates, as well as all of the nominees the very best in their endeavors. NWIA is excited to support the continuing creative and professional achievements of Mishiikenh Kwe with a $5,000 cash prize and to acknowledge each of our shortlisted nominees: Lucia Laford, Amber Waboose, Sara Kanutski, Leslie Neshkiwe, and Acadia Solomon with a $1,500 prize. A huge congratulations to all!”
 

Mishibizhiw and the Canoers c.2022

About the Barbara Laronde Award

The Barbara Laronde Award was created to honour the legacy of NWIA founder Sandra Laronde and her vision and commitment to Indigenous artists. It celebrates and acknowledges the career of one outstanding, emerging, Northern-Ontario based Indigenous Gender Marginalized artist, recognizing the geographic and economic barriers that many Northern artists face. Sandra Laronde’s 19 years of leadership at NWIA paved the way for many Indigenous artists at various stages of their careers. The award is named after her mother, Barbara, who has been the backbone of her family and a leader in the Northern Ontario community, Temagami First Nation. Barbara inspired her children to be creative and entrepreneurial, and it is with this spirit that NWIA launched this award.
 

Rest c.2022

About Native Women in the Arts (NWIA)

Established in 1993, Native Women in the Arts (NWIA) is a not-for-profit organization for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Women and other Indigenous Gender Marginalized Folks from diverse artistic disciples who share a common interest in culture, art, community, and the advancement of Indigenous Peoples. NWIA Presents unique artistic programming while developing, supporting, and cultivating practices in the performing arts, literary arts and publishing, visual arts, customary arts, and community development projects. NWIA’s influence has been felt in communities across Canada. We nourish and transform our communities by pursuing the highest standards of artistic excellence, and by offering development opportunities to emerging artists. 

Thirst Nation is a queer artistic event series that prioritizes and elevates queer Indigenous folks who are Trans, 2 Spirit or IndigiQueer from across Turtle Island and neighboring nations to the south. The series has functioned as a cabaret, talk-show, and now an immersive artistic party centered on joy, celebration, sexuality and queer expression. 

After the success of their first event ‘Thirst Nation: Chill’ at the Rhubarb Festival hosted by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Native Women in the Arts is proud to present ‘Thirst Nation: Dusk’ on Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 8PM – 12AM at the TD Music Hall, 178 Victoria St, Toronto.

Featuring up and coming DJ Gussyee, with performing artists Indigibabes Burlesque – Bitchtina Columbitch, Salty Bay, and Nenoo Freebird. Local starlets Janis Jameson, fox L’amour, Daisy Badcock, and Thrasher. With Ottawa’s Caligula and your hosts for the evening; ‘Canada’s Them Fatale’ Tygr Willy and ‘Mother of the House of Indigibabe’s Burlesque’ Madam Ode’miin Surprise.

Step into the seductive thrivance of Thirst Nation: Dusk, a tantalizing soirée set to ignite the TD Music Hall with an evening of Indigi-queer euphoria. Surrender to a symphony of sensuality and explore the depths of desire amidst a tapestry of leather, wetness, blue hues, fiery oranges, and the enchantment of sunset. Join us as we revel in the allure of our theme, where artists and guests alike are urged to immerse themselves fully.

Tickets Are on Sale Now!  

General Admission – $30, Indigenous Discount Code: DUSK24 
 

TYGR WILLY

Don’t worry babes, Tygr Willy burnt down Neverland and saved all those thotty Faeries. Tygr Willy is Canada’s Them Fatale sure to leave you tongue tied. They’re part of the illustrious K-POP Drag Girl group ‘the Rice Queens’, and the group has toured to Ottawa Capital Pride and Calgary Pride this past summer 2023. They’re notorious for producing such events as; Thirst Nation, Our Flag Means Queer, Passion Fruit, Colour Me Now, and Drop Deadly Gorgeous: the Pageant.  All events prioritizing the Drag, Burlesque, Club Kid nightlife scene focusing on gender expansive and racialized artists.

DJ – GUSSYEE

GUSSYEE is an Indigenous DJ, producer and artist residing in Tkaronto whose work is a multidisciplinary queer approach to challenging coloniality and environmental destruction while emphasizing the sovereignty of two-spirit bodies. Expressing individuality across cultural practices is an important part of the artistic process for GUSSYEE, subversion, strife and confrontational imagery expressed through indigenous beliefs creates dialogue between the artist and their approach to conceiving art.

GUSSYEE is an up-and-coming force in queer nightlife, recently becoming a resident DJ at Houndstooth Bar with their BYOV event. Furthering their practice, GUSSYEE is premiering INFERNO – a demonic inspired queer rave that is specifically curated for trans and 2spirit identifying individuals on March 21st at Drom Taberna.

MADAME ODE’MIIN SURPISE

The creator of IndigiBabes Burlesque. Madame Ode’Miin Surprise is the mother of Babes, an auntie, artist, and educator. Madame is truly like a craving for strawberries on a warm summer evening, mouthwatering and sweet with a little tartness that will always leave you wanting more!

SALTY BAE

Member of IndigiBabes Burlesque, Salty Baby hails from the rocky shores of the Bay of Islands, Newfoundland. They bring the salty Atlantic Ocean with a side of sass! Be prepared to get wet!

MX. CALIGULA

Caligula (they/she) is a 23yo métis drag artist based in Ottawa. A student of the game for over 3 years now, Caligula’s drag is all about blending the smart and the stupid together in a high energy, choreo-filled, and out of the box package.

When not hosting their monthly show, Caligula’s Cabinet of Curiosities, you can find Caligula working on wild mixes, designing visuals for their numbers or scurrying around your local thrift store like the gremlin they truly are. 

As a former Mx Capital Pride winner, Caligula’s goal is to highlight the diverse beauty of non binary drag.

THRASHER

Thrasher is a distressingly stunning mixed Indigenous and European, Queer, classically trained dancer and aerialist. In her almost 15-year burlesque career, she has performed on national and international stages, including Vienna and Montreal, as a solo performer, and she is ½ of the Dynamite Duo TnT. She regularly appears in Toronto at Live at The Funktion, produced by Sweet Rosie Mae. She has also performed with Bootleggers Burlesque, Legacy Cabaret, Les Femme Fatal Women of Colour Burlesque and many more! She has appeared in TV commercials and the feature film Becoming Burlesque, directed by Jackie English. You won’t be able to take your eyes off of her as she commands the stage.

Thirst Nation

Thirst Nation is an Indigenous Queer and 2-Spirit cultural impact that bridges the artistic communities with shared or allied sexuality, gender expansion and creative expression. First created as a late-night talk and cabaret formatted show during the 2020 lockdowns, the show was created by Anishinaabe/Chinese/White mixed raced artist Tyler J Sloane under the name “Thirsty 2 Spirit Tuesdays” through the Glad Day Lit and Twitch Platform. Due to the viewership of the show and the ability to bridge folks from across Turtle Island and the Tri-Nations, the show rebranded to Thirst Nation with Weird Alice assisting administratively . The design and format created by Tygr Willy, the duo brought on Performance Artists in the forms of; Burlesque, Clown, Clown, Drag, and Stand-up. The show held a beacon for bringing positivity and uplifting audience members of Indigenous background and allied communities. The show continued from 2020 to 2021 where it culminated in its online format during the 2021 Pride Toronto Hybrid Festival.

This new era of Thirst Nation now launches into an in-person gathering of artistry, expression, and pride. Tygr Willy brings a new team: multidisciplinary Filipinx Canadian artist Alexi Pedneault/Kuya Atay with initial consultation by T’ànchày Redverse/Midnight Wolverine – a multidisciplinary performer, writer, and Draglesque artist, Riley Kucheran – a fashion designer and reIndigenizing scholar who recently helmed the successful ‘Unceded Dancefloors’.

Kwe Performance Series

Thirst Nation: Dusk is presented as part of the Kwe Performance Series which showcases Indigenous women and other gender marginalized Indigenous artists from diverse nations, and communities, leading to a deeper understanding and appreciation for Indigenous arts, culture, and community. 

The Kwe Performance Series events include performances and workshops for the community in Toronto as well as outreach to on-reserve and under-serviced communities in Ontario.
 

Native Women in the Arts (NWIA)

Established in 1993, Native Women in the Arts (NWIA) is a not-for-profit organization for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women and other Indigenous gender marginalized folks from diverse artistic disciplines who share a common interest in culture, art, community and the advancement of Indigenous Peoples. 

NWIA Presents unique artistic programming while developing, supporting, and cultivating practices in the performing arts, literary arts and publishing, visual arts, customary arts, and community development projects. NWIA’s influence has been felt in communities across Canada. We nourish and transform our communities by pursuing the highest standards of artistic excellence, and by offering development opportunities to emerging artists. 

Accessibility Information

• TD Music Hall is wheelchair-accessible
• Private, barrier free washrooms are available at TD Music Hall.
• There is no parking at TD Music Hall, however accessible parking is available in adjacent buildings.
• TD Music Hall offers special (priority) access. Advance booking of this service is not required. However advance booking may be done by emailing: frontofhouse@mh-rth.com.
• A limited number of courtesy wheelchairs are also available at TD Music Hall. Advance booking of this service is not required. However advance booking may be done by emailing: frontofhouse@mh-rth.com.
• Support persons who are accompanying guests with special needs are welcome at TD Music Hall. All guests, including support persons, must have a purchased ticket to attend a performance or event.
• Service and support animals are welcome at TD Music Hall. Service animals should have either a visible indicator, or an identification card or letter from a healthcare practitioner confirming that the customer requires the animal for reasons relating to a disability. You may contact the box office at: contactus@mh-rth.com to ensure suitable seating is reserved.
• Patrons are discouraged from wearing scented products however we cannot guarantee a scent-free environment.
• Certified First Aid, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Automated External Defibrillator (AED) service providers are on duty for every event. Please contact any usher if these services are required.
  
  Tygr Willy Photography by: Kikki Guerard