Nicole Joy-Fraser (Dramaturg/Director)

Flight: Indigenous Women’s Leadership Stories in Canadian Universities 

Situated on a fictitious university campus, Flight explores two Indigenous women’s stories as they set out to implement a reconciliation policy and transform the academy through collective and ancestral Indigenous leadership efforts. In the process, the women encounter age-old colonial tropes about Indigenous peoples and women and find themselves caught between university administrative systems and the Indigenous communities they serve. In this paradoxical world, Weesakeechahk (in goose form) shows up to guide the women and have some fun in the process. This work-in-progress builds on previously published academic research done by the playwright in 2021

Biography 

Nicole Joy-Fraser (Tsa’tinée, Nehiyaw, Métis/ Settler) is a Niagara based, Indigi-queer performing artist registered with Horse Lake First Nation in Northern Alberta.  For over 20 years she has been storytelling for stage and screen, across Turtle Island and beyond, and has worked with many celebrated companies such as The Stratford Festival, The Shaw, Mirvish, Soulpepper, Theatre Aquarius, CBC, CBS, BBC and Telefilm.  As a proud 2Spirit, Bear clan matriarch, Hand drum carrier and 60’s scoop witness, supporting each other through healing and the Indigenous arts continues to be a passion of theirs and they are grateful to the Aniishnaabeg and Haudenosaunee communities that have been guiding their urban Indigenous reclamation.  NEPA has been an artistic home for Nicole since 2008, contributing to their artistic journey and livelihood through many Festivals and productions that include the Dora nominated “Canoe” and “Tombs of the Vanishing Indian”.  Storytelling and collaborating with Candace on “Flight” marks her official directorial and dramaturgical debut and they are thrilled to be bringing matriarchal and ancestral voices to the stage.