Waawaate Fobister facts for kids

Waawaate Fobister is a talented Canadian artist. They are from the Anishinaabe people. Waawaate is known as an actor, dancer, and playwright. They also create dances (choreographer), teach, produce shows, and share stories. Waawaate is especially famous for their play called Agokwe. This play is about their own life and is performed by just one person.

Waawaate Fobister's Early Life

Waawaate Fobister grew up in a place called Grassy Narrows First Nation. This community is located north of Kenora, Ontario. When Waawaate was a child, their father and grandfather taught them about oral storytelling. This is a special way that Indigenous people share stories by speaking them. Waawaate decided to follow this path too.

As Waawaate explored their Native spirituality, they received their spirit name, Waawaate. This name means Northern Lights. In Anishinaabe culture, the Northern Lights are seen as spirits dancing. Waawaate met a medicine woman who helped them find this name. The woman prayed and then told Waawaate that she saw "dark sky, and I seen lights and I seen dancing." This was a beautiful way to describe the Northern Lights.

Waawaate studied Theatre Arts Performance at Humber College. They graduated in 2005 and also won an award for their great performance. They continued to study 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 learned at the Centre for Indigenous Theatre and Kahawi Dance Theatre.

Waawaate Fobister's Career in Arts

Waawaate Fobister performed their first play, Savage, in schools across Ontario. This play told the story of a young boy and his mentor in a small town.

After college, Waawaate wrote Agokwe. This play is about two teenage boys and their feelings for each other. It explores themes of love and Native cultural traditions. Agokwe first opened in Toronto on September 23, 2008. The play was very successful. It won six Dora Mavor Moore Awards in 2009. One of these was for Outstanding New Play.

Four years later, Waawaate's second play, Medicine Boy, premiered. This play shared stories about the challenges faced by First Nations families. It talked about the lasting effects of past events like colonization and residential schools. In 2019, Waawaate created Omaagomaan. This is a dance that highlights health issues in their community. These issues are related to environmental concerns in Grassy Narrows.

Besides stage performances, 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 groups. They worked at Native Earth Performing Arts in Toronto and Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay.

In 2021, Waawaate was a speaker at "Dance Ogichidas." This event was part of The Bridge: A Festival of Ideas. They also helped organize the 2021 Kick & Push Festival. In May 2021, Waawaate presented a short play called Ode to RED Auntie. This was for a digital event by the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. As of 2021, Waawaate teaches at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People.

Awards and Recognitions

Awards Waawaate Fobister Has Won

• 2005: Humber College Distinguished Performance Award
• 2009: Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Play, for Agokwe
• 2009: Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role - Play, for Agokwe
• 2014: Bonham Centre Youth Award from the University of Toronto. This award recognized their work in helping people understand issues around identity.

Grants Waawaate Fobister Has Received

• [Year]: National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
• [Year]: Ontario Arts Council
• [Year]: Canada Council for the Arts

Nominations Waawaate Fobister Has Received

• [Year]: Ontario Premiers' Award
• [Year]: K.M. Hunter Award
• [Year]: Sterling Award

See also

In Spanish: Waawaate Fobister para niños