http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Debajehmujig_Theatre_GroupDebajehmujig Theatre Group - Revision history2026-06-02T02:28:56ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.1http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Debajehmujig_Theatre_Group&diff=1781316&oldid=prev24.139.15.178 at 19:11, 6 May 20252025-05-06T19:11:31Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|First Nations theatre group in Ontario}}<br />
The '''Debajehmujig Storytellers''', also Debajehmujig Theatre Group, or informally '''Debaj''', is a [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] theatre group and multi-arts organization based in the [[Wiikwemkoong First Nation|Wiikwemkoong]] Unceded Territory on [[Manitoulin Island]] in [[Northern Ontario]]. Debaj is the longest running Indigenous theatre in North America.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.canadiantheatre.com/dict.pl?term=De-ba-jeh-mu-jig%20Theatre|title=De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre|last=Hengen|first=Shannon|date=December 27, 2018|website=Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia|access-date=February 1, 2019}}</ref><br />
<br />
==History==<br />
''Debajehmujig'' is from the [[Ojibwe language|Ojibwe]] (''debaajimoojig'') and [[Cree language|Cree]] (''tepācimūcik''), both meaning "storytellers". Debajehmujig was founded by [[Shirley Cheechoo]], Blake Debassige and colleagues in 1984 in [[M'Chigeeng First Nation]] (formerly known as West Bay) on [[Manitoulin Island]]. In 1989, the company moved to [[Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve]] (Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory). In addition to being located in Wiikwemkoong, the company operates the Debajehmujig Creation Centre in [[Manitowaning]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.debaj.ca/?q=content/debajehmujig|title=About the Company|website=Debajehmujig Creation Centre|access-date=February 1, 2019}}</ref> The main stage is the open air stage in the ruins of the Holy Cross Mission in Wiikwemkoong.<ref name=":0" /> The company plays throughout Canada under its Outreach program. The company was established so that "Native youth be given the opportunity to see themselves and their lives reflected on the stage, in the characters, in the stories, in the experiences portrayed."<ref>Canadian Shakespears: [http://www.canadianshakespeares.ca/spotlight/s_p_nwb.cfm Spotlight] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029070817/http://www.canadianshakespeares.ca/spotlight/s_p_nwb.cfm |date=2007-10-29 }}</ref><br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
* [[Holy Cross Church, Wikwemikong]]<br />
<br />
==Notable alumni==<br />
<br />
*[[Shirley Cheechoo]] — founder, actor, playwright, artistic director, board member<br />
*[[Tomson Highway]] — playwright, actor, artistic director (1984/85)<br />
*[[Rene Highway]] — actor<br />
*[[Drew Hayden Taylor]] — actor, playwright<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
*[http://www.debaj.ca/ Official website]<br />
<br />
{{authority control}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Theatre companies in Ontario]]<br />
[[Category:First Nations theatre]]<br />
[[Category:Culture of Manitoulin District]]</div>24.139.15.178