Indigenous theatre founder gets nod for prestigious prize

For her work as the founding artistic director of Oshkagoojin Indigenous Theatre for Youth, Winnipeg’s Nova Courchene has been named the recipient of one of Manitoba theatre’s highest honours for emerging arts leaders.

Since 2023, the Cherry Karpyshin Arts Management Prize has been given out by Prairie Theatre Exchange to early-career or aspiring arts managers. Named for PTE’s longtime general manager, for whom the company’s mainstage is also named, the Cherry Prize is accompanied by professional supports and a $2,500 cash award.

Meaning “new moon” in Anishinaabemowin, Oshkagoojin runs a variety of initiatives in Winnipeg, including the teen-focused Rising Voices, the middle years Growing Voices, and the early years Young Voices programs. Through storytelling, movement, narrative games and guided play, the Young Voices program introduces Indigenous children aged five through nine to the fundamentals of collaborative and co-operative theatre with a curriculum devised through a cultural lens.

“As I continue to grow Oshkagoojin Indigenous Theatre for Youth, I look forward to strengthening the organization’s capacity, sustainability, and national reach so that more Indigenous young people can access theatre, cultural learning, and artistic leadership opportunities in their own communities,” says Courchene in a release. “I believe that when Indigenous youth are empowered to tell their stories, entire communities benefit, and I am excited to continue building these pathways for future generations.

Since beginning in 2024, Oshkagoojin has been led by Courchene and a staff of five programmers and educators to develop training and education modules while also creating avenues for new work to reach the public stage.

The organization has participated in Winnipeg’s Kiyanaan Festival, developed by Echo Theatre and hosted at PTE. Last February, Oshkagoojin presented a staging of its family show Nanabush and the Spirit of Thunder, written by Dezarae Meade and adapted from the book by artist Daphne Odjig.

Next season at the Portage Place theatre, PTE will produce a five-day run of Nanabush, the first time the company will present a show in friendship with Oshkagoojin. Recommended for children in grades 3 through 8, Nanabush and the Spirit of Thunder is set to run May 12-16, 2027.

Previous winners of the Cherry Karpyshin Arts Management Prize include the Winnipeg Studio Theatre’s Kara Joseph (2023), Walk&Talk Theatre’s Tanner Manson (2024) and Hood & Dagger Productions impresario Crystal Hood (2025).

ben.waldman@winnipegfreepress.com