Biskane
Culminating performance for the 2026 Aanmitaagzi Summer Arts Program
August 20, 2026 at 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
Big Medicine Studio
161 Couchie Memorial Dr, Nipissing First Nation
Aanmitaagzi and the participants of the 2026 Aanmitaagzi Summer Arts Program are pleased to invite the public to Big Medicine Studio for Biskane (it ignites), the culminating performance for this year’s program. The artists and youth participants have been working hard since the beginning of July to develop and prepare for this presentation through singing, dancing, regalia making, storytelling, visual explorations, attending pow wows, participating in Spiderwoman Theater’s Block Party Pow Wow in Brooklyn, and engaging in other arts activities. The collaboratively created and performed work is an investigation and expression of indigenous dance and storytelling that has grown out of their experiences over the summer and the stories and knowledge they carry with them. The presentation is free to attend, and all are welcome.
Biskane is co-created and performed by:
Lead Artists – Sid Bobb, Katie Couchie, Penny Couchie, Sherry Guppy, Darren Nakogee, with Special Guests Olivia Shortt and Animikiikwe Couchie-Waukey
Program Participants – Albany Benson, Harvey Campeau, Ouske Couchie-Bobb, Lukas Driedger, Janiah Etherington, Autumn Hookimaw, Mya Katt, Waseskwan Linklater, William McGrath, Georgia Mianskum, Tayton Mianskum, Malia Mizzi, Zaidyn Mizzi, Niibin Nakogee, Finnegan Rice, Lance Sarazin, North Spence, Nate Thomas, and Jodan Wesley.
Guest Facilitators – Dan Commanda, Eva Couchie, and Clayton Windatt
What is the Aanmitaagzi Summer Arts Program?
The Aanmitaagzi Summer Arts Program (ASAP) is an annual 8-week intensive in indigenous performing, visual, and traditional arts. Now in its nineteenth year, the program gives indigenous youth the opportunity to learn, share, express and create alongside Aanmitaagzi’s professional multi-disciplinary arts team, guest artists, and community-members in a collaborative, inter-generational, and welcoming space.
How can I get more information?
For more information, please call (705) 474-2227 or email aanmitaagzi@gmail.com.
Aanmitaagzi wishes to thank the Government of Canada through the Canada Council for the Arts and the Canada Summer Jobs Program, the Ontario Government through the Ontario Arts Council, Mushkegowuk Employment & Training Services, Moose Cree Training & Employment Unit, the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre’s Apatisiwin Program, and the Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference for generously supporting the 2026 Summer Arts Program.
