askîy âcimona

About askîy âcimona

askîy âcimona ("Stories of the Earth") is a Cree language and Indigenous youth theatre initiative developed in collaboration with community partners in Norway House Cree Nation.

Founded in 2023, through the support and collaboration of community champions, language advocates, and leadership within Norway House Cree Nation who recognized the importance of Cree language revitalization, Indigenous youth leadership, and community-based artistic practice. OITY Inc is grateful to all of those who helped bring askîy âcimona to life and support its growth.

Grounded in land, language, and community, askîy âcimona brings young people together to create original performances inspired by local stories, histories, teachings, and lived experiences.

Through collaborative creation, participants strengthen relationships with one another, deepen connections to culture and language, and explore their own voices as artists, storytellers, and community leaders.

Looking Ahead

OITY Inc wants to commit to supporting Indigenous youth storytelling, Cree language revitalization, and community-based artistic practice.

Future opportunities and updates related to askîy âcimona should there be an interest will be shared here as plans are confirmed.

Community members interested in future programming are encouraged to complete the interest form below to receive updates regarding future opportunities.

philosophy of practice

Wîchîtôwin

Building theatre through shared stories, language, and performance.

The creative process of askîy âcimona is grounded in Cree values, relationships, and collective creation. Theatre-making becomes a space for young people to learn from one another, strengthen connections to language and culture, and explore their own stories through collaborative artistic practice.

Wîchîtôwin, meaning "helping one another," is at the heart of this work. The program brings together youth, artists, language speakers, Elders, knowledge holders, and community members through the shared process of theatre-making.

Kîstêtitâmowin

Honouring relationships, memory, and lived experience.

Invites young people to approach one another, their families, their community, and the natural world with honour, care, and deep appreciation. Participants are encouraged to draw from their own experiences, family stories, community histories, and cultural teachings as sources for artistic creation.

Mâskôwsewin

Building strength together through relationship and creation.

The creative process emphasizes collaboration, shared leadership, and collective responsibility. Through theatre-making, young people support one another while carrying stories, cultural knowledge, and creative practices forward together.

Kiskinôtahsôwin

Guidance, teaching, and learning through shared experience.

Young people are encouraged to learn from local Elders, artists, language speakers, community mentors, and one another while developing confidence, artistic skills, and relationships within their community.

Program archive

2023

| Kāyas Manā ("The Way It Was")

Kāyas Manā explored Cree life, community, and Treaty relationships through the story of Newo and Wâpikawniy, tracing changes experienced across generations. Created collaboratively by youth artists, the production integrated Cree language, storytelling, and community memory through original theatre creation.

2024

| Local Cree Legends

Youth artists explored Cree stories, language, and cultural teachings through a series of traditional legends featuring characters such as Wisakecahk, Weetigo, Achikosis, Loon, and Chukapace. Created collaboratively, the production integrated Cree language, storytelling, music, humour, and performance while strengthening connections to culture and community.

2025

| nikamotān | nīmatān | ininīmotān ("Let's Sing, Dance and Speak Cree")

Set in a Cree-speaking outdoor school, the production followed Niska, a young person reconnecting to Cree language and identity after arriving unable to speak the language. Through music, storytelling, and community, the production celebrated language revitalization, belonging, and the many pathways home to Cree.

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