The Debajehmujig Storytellers, also Debajehmujig Theatre Group, or informally Debaj, is a
First Nations
First nations are indigenous settlers or bands.
First Nations, first nations, or first peoples may also refer to:
Indigenous groups
*List of Indigenous peoples
*First Nations in Canada, Indigenous peoples of Canada who are neither Inuit nor Mé ...
theatre group and multi-arts organization based in the
Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on
Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Island ( ) is an island in Lake Huron, located within the borders of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario, in the bioregion known as Laurentia (bioregion), Laurentia. With an area of , it is the Lake ...
in
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a primary geographic and quasi-administrative region of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario, the other primary region being Southern Ontario. Most of the core geographic region is located on p ...
. Debaj is the longest running Indigenous theatre in North America.
History
''Debajehmujig'' is from the Ojibwe language, Ojibwe (''debaajimoojig'') and Cree language, Cree (''tepācimūcik''), both meaning "storytellers". Debajehmujig was founded by Shirley Cheechoo, Blake Debassige and colleagues in 1984 in M'Chigeeng First Nation (formerly known as West Bay) on
Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Island ( ) is an island in Lake Huron, located within the borders of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario, in the bioregion known as Laurentia (bioregion), Laurentia. With an area of , it is the Lake ...
. In 1989, the company moved to Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve (Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory). In addition to being located in Wiikwemkoong, the company operates the Debajehmujig Creation Centre in Manitowaning. The main stage is the open air stage in the ruins of the Holy Cross Mission in Wiikwemkoong.
The company plays throughout Canada under its Outreach program. The company was established so that "Native youth be given the opportunity to see themselves and their lives reflected on the stage, in the characters, in the stories, in the experiences portrayed."
[Canadian Shakespears]
Spotlight
See also
* Holy Cross Church, Wikwemikong
Notable alumni
*Shirley Cheechoo — founder, actor, playwright, artistic director, board member
*Tomson Highway — playwright, actor, artistic director (1984/85)
*Rene Highway — actor
*Drew Hayden Taylor — actor, playwright
References
External links
Official website
{{authority control
Theatre companies in Ontario
First Nations theatre
Culture of Manitoulin District