Schools

Indigenous Artists in Schools

In YPT’s Indigenous Artists in Schools program, teachers and students learn about Indigenous culture directly from Indigenous artist educators.

Rooted in their own arts practices, cultural knowledge and experience, Indigenous artist educators facilitate workshops for students and educators to continue their lifelong learning about Indigenous people and customs. See details about current workshops below.

“Thank you YPT for always engaging our students, and helping us to learn more about the Indigenous culture through stories and dance.”
– Holy Family Catholic School

See more testimonials below.

Current Workshop Offerings:

Inquiry into Indigeneity – Creating Conversation

Herbie Barnes headshot

Meet Herbie Barnes, the Artistic Director of Young People’s Theatre! He is an award-winning Anishinaabe actor/director/playwright from Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island and was raised in Toronto.

Herbie’s workshop Inquiry into Indigeneity shares who he is as a First Nations artist and encourages students to explore the First Peoples of Canada with him.

Through this workshop students will learn about:

  • the Seven Ancestral Teachings of the Anishinaabe (Truth, Honesty, Humility, Bravery, Wisdom, Respect, Love),
  • the Creation Story, and
  • Land Acknowledgements – what are they about and why are they important.

This session will include a Q&A session with Herbie so students can ask him their questions directly!

Workshops are 60 minutes in length, and available for only one class at a time (up to 30 students per workshop). They can take place either at YPT or at the participating school.

This workshop is for Grades 2-6 and only available from October 3-20, 2023. Each workshop is $275 + HST per class – availability is limited on a first come first served basis.

For more information on the program, please contact Molly Gardner, Senior Education Manager at mgardner@youngpeoplestheatre.org.

Testimonials

“Learning about storytelling seven generations into the future and into the past helped me better understand how stories were told through multiple generations. It was a great hour well spent!”
— Angelie (Grade 11)

“It was extremely engaging and had fun activities that allowed students to grasp the concepts being taught easier.”
— Fiona (Grade 11)

“I really enjoyed the workshop as it allowed me to learn the importance of storytelling in the Indigenous culture. While I was able to learn new things, I was fully engaged throughout the entire experience and I especially enjoyed the broken telephone activity. I got to laugh, be myself, and engage with other students in a safe atmosphere.”
— Chanelle (grade 11)