ABOUT US
Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre (GTNT, formerly Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company) is an award-winning, professional Indigenous theatre company and registered charity based in Saskatoon that has been operating since 1999. It is the artistic responsibility of our company to incorporate Indigenous culture, language, and history into all aspects of our theatre practice. Every GTNT production, co-production, and presentation aims to increase the involvement of local, provincial, and national Indigenous talent. GTNT’s vision is to develop and maintain a working Indigenous theatre community in Saskatchewan composed of aspiring, emerging, and established artists, while increasing intercultural understanding in Saskatoon and communities within Saskatchewan.
With Indigenous culture as our foundation, GTNT’s professional and community theatre programming entertains, educates, and empowers our viewers. We provide support, mentorship, and experiences that bring people together to enjoy, learn, and bridge social and cultural gaps. Elders, community organizations, reserve communities, families, and partners join us in broadening the artistic landscape in Saskatchewan and across Canada by increasing the number of Indigenous people trained and employed in the theatre sector.
Our Mission
To produce and present innovative cultural theatre experiences that engage and empower First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth, artists and the greater Saskatchewan community.
Our Vision
GTNT creates a world where people are transformed through Indigenous performance.
Our Values - R.I.S.E.
Respect: The promotion of respect for ourselves, others and our creative art form that results in a commitment to welcoming everyone to the circle and valuing every contribution as meaningful.
Identity: Fostered in culture, language, and history we encourage an exploration of who we are, what we speak, where we are from, and where we are going as individuals and as a community.
Sharing: The inclusion of knowledge, friendship, and resources that brings us closer together as a community of working artists.
Excellence: With pride and professional integrity we commit to encouraging constant growth as artists, to challenge the status quo, and to push the creative envelope.
Our Culture
The founding vision of Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company was to create a culturally grounded theatre training program for Indigenous youth in Saskatoon. Identity was at the core of this vision, and many young people have reconnected with their culture, language and history through our programming. Through ceremony and protocol we have renamed the organization Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre, in honour of one of the founding members and to remind us to continue the legacy of strengthening Indigenous identity in Saskatoon, in Saskatchewan and across Canada. Gordon Tootoosis never lived in Hollywood – he stayed here because he believed in his community and the importance of strengthening it through the mentorship of our youth. This is the culture of GTNT.
In line with our mission, GTNT produces thematic and relevant presentations that are seen locally and provincially by a diverse audience. We are Saskatchewan’s only professional Indigenous theatre company, recognized province wide as a producer of culturally based Indigenous theatre that educates and promotes racial harmony in Saskatchewan’s diverse population. GTNT is also committed to forming innovative partnerships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural/arts leaders, businesses, community organizations, and institutions that recognize the power of the arts as an effective means to develop strong and vibrant individuals and communities. These sector partners also allow GTNT to grow Indigenous Theatre in Saskatchewan as we strive to increase the number of Indigenous people trained and gainfully employed in the performing arts.
Community Partnerships
GTNT recognizes the immense value of maintaining strong partnerships in the community, especially in regard to the company’s work with children and youth.