Waawaate Fobister facts for kids

Waawaate Fobister is an Anishinaabe artist from Canada. They are a talented actor, dancer, playwright, and storyteller. Waawaate is especially known for their play called Agokwe. This play is based on their own life experiences.

Early Life and Education

Waawaate Fobister grew up in a place called Grassy Narrows First Nation reserve. This community is located north of Kenora, Ontario. When they were a child, Waawaate's father and grandfather taught them about the special tradition of oral storytelling from their Indigenous culture. Waawaate decided to follow this path too.

As they grew up, Waawaate learned more about their identity. They embraced being two-spirited. This is an important term in many Indigenous cultures. It describes a person who has both masculine and feminine spirits. Waawaate sometimes faced challenges because of who they are. They use these experiences to create powerful art.

Finding a Spirit Name

Waawaate received their spirit name, Waawaate, which means Northern Lights. This happened as they explored their Native spirituality. Waawaate met a medicine woman who could give spirit names. After a few weeks, the woman told Waawaate their name. She said, "...when I saw it, I saw...dark sky, and I seen lights and I seen dancing." This referred to the Northern Lights. In Anishinaabe culture, the Northern Lights represent spirits dancing.

Learning and Training

Waawaate Fobister studied Theatre Arts Performance at Humber College. They graduated in 2005 and also won an award for their excellent performance. They continued their training in theater and dance at other well-known places. These included the Banff Centre for the Arts and the School of Toronto Dance Theatre. They also studied at the Centre for Indigenous Theatre and Kahawi Dance Theatre.

Creative Career

Waawaate Fobister started their career by performing their first play, Savage. They performed this play in schools across Ontario. Savage tells the story of a young boy and his mentor in a small town.

The Play Agokwe

Soon after college, Waawaate wrote Agokwe. The word agokwe comes from the Anishinaabe language. It is now understood to mean "two-spirited." This play explores important ideas like love, feeling alone, and Native cultural traditions. Agokwe first opened in Toronto on September 23, 2008. The play was a big success. It won six Dora Mavor Moore Awards in 2009. This included the award for Outstanding New Play.

Other Important Works

Four years later, Waawaate's second play, Medicine Boy, premiered in 2012. Medicine Boy shares stories about the lasting effects of past events on First Nations families. These events include colonization and residential schools. The play also touches on how industrial waste has harmed the land.

In 2019, Waawaate created Omaagomaan. This is a dance that means "someone biting very hard." It brings attention to the serious issue of mercury poisoning in their community in Grassy Narrows. This poisoning has caused many health problems.

Beyond the Stage

Besides performing on stage, Waawaate Fobister has also appeared in films. These include Famous and The Time Traveler (2009). They have also been a playwright in residence. This means they were a special writer for theater companies like Native Earth Performing Arts and Magnus Theatre.

In 2021, Waawaate was part of a panel discussion called "Dance Ogichidas." They also helped organize the 2021 Kick & Push Festival. They were named the coordinator for a new council for LGBTQ2S Indigenous people in Grand Council of Treaty 3 territory. In May 2021, Waawaate presented a short play called Ode to RED Auntie. As of 2021, Waawaate teaches at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People.

Awards and Recognition

Waawaate Fobister has received many awards and honors for their work.

Awards

• 2005 Humber College Distinguished Performance Award
• 2009 Dora Mavor Moore Award, Outstanding New Play, for Agokwe
• 2009 Dora Mavor Moore Award, Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role - Play, for Agokwe
• 2014 Bonham Centre Youth Award from The Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto.

Grants

Waawaate has also received grants to support their artistic work from organizations like:

• National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
• Ontario Arts Council
• Canada Council for the Arts

Nominations

They have also been nominated for other important awards, including:

• Ontario Premiers' Award
• K.M. Hunter Award
• Sterling Award