IPAA acknowledges the traditional lands and waterways of the Anishnaabe (Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation), the Haudenosaunee, the Wendat, and any other nations who cared for the land (acknowledged and unacknowledged, recorded and unrecorded).

We claim space for all Indigenous performing artists by connecting the Indigenous Performance Network across Turtle Island (North America).

Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA) is a federally incorporated not for profit organization based in Tkaronto, ON.

In its foundational years, IPAA underwent several conceptual transformations:

• National Aboriginal Theatre Alliance
• National Aboriginal Arts Alliance

The Board of Directors adjusted IPAA’s title to reflect the organization’s Indigenous ethics (supporting the work of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis performing artists) and broad interdisciplinary approach. 

IPAA became a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization on March 16th, 2005.

Throughout its evolution IPAA has matured into a critical organization in the national ecology of the performing arts. Markers of this maturation include establishment of an office space in Toronto, ON, a national board of directors, the engagement of an Executive Director, and securing of operating funding from Canada Council for the Arts.

• • Equity In Theatre (EIT)
  • Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA)
  • National Arts Centre English Theatre’s exploration of Indigenous performance called The Summit in Banff (2014) which informed 
The Study / Repast in collaboration with Debajehmujig Storytellers on Manitoulin Island, ON

History of Gatherings

• Feb 2017 – Acknowledging Tkarón:to Recognize Workshops (ON/QC)
• Oct 2016 – Intertribal Gathering, Yukon Showcase in collaboration with Aboriginal Curatorial Collective (Whitehorse, YK)
• May 2016 – Treaty 7 Host Nations Conversation (Calgary, AB)
• Nov 2015 – Intertribal Gathering, Indigenous Language Showcase (Toronto, ON)
• Aug 2015 – Indigenous Performance Network (IPN) Meeting at Prismatic Festival (Halifax, NS)
• May 2015 – The Study / Repast a partnership with Debajehmujig Storytellers & National Arts Centre (Manitowaning, ON)
• Feb 2015 – Talking Stick Festival Industry Series, Protocols, and the Indigenous Performance Network (Vancouver, BC)
• Oct 2014 – Intertribal Gathering, Showcase in partnership with Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company (Saskatoon, SK)
• Apr 2014 – The Summit, a partnership with National Arts Centre: English Theatre (Banff, AB)
• Oct 2013 – Intertribal Gathering, Ontario Showcase in Toronto, ON
• Oct 2008 – IPAA Think Tank @ Debajehmujig Creation Centre (Manitoulin Island)
• Mar 2005 – IPAA becomes a federally incorporated non-for-profit organization
• Nov 2001 – Nimitohtak: First Nation Dance Symposium (co-sponsored by NATA)
• 2001 – 2002 – Meetings of the NAAA (National Aboriginal Arts Alliance Committee)
• June 2001 – 3rd National Gathering of Aboriginal Theatre
• 2000 – 2001 – Meetings of the volunteer committee NATA (National Aboriginal Theatre Alliance)
• June 2000 – Coyote’s Roundup
• Sept 1998 – To See Proudly: First Peoples Arts Conference
• June 1998 – Natione Native Theatre Symposium
• 1990 – Telling our own Story: Appropriation and Indigenous Performing Artists