FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sault Ste. Marie, November 20, 2024 – The Northern Indigenous Artist Alliance (NIAA) is proud to announce that it has been awarded funding from the Ontario Arts Council (OAC)’s Indigenous Projects granting stream to host Zikwaadan // Spit on it! an online event showcasing Indigenous clowns from across Northern Ontario. Zikwaadan // Spit on it! is scheduled to take place January 26th 2025 live on Youtube and promises to be a silly event, providing a platform for Indigenous artists from across Cree and Anishinaabe Aki to showcase their unique talents and explore the intersection of traditional
clowning and drag performance. “This is SICK! Super stoked to be a part of something so new and unique” added Tejhler LB, assistant coordinator of the project.
“Being able to showcase other Indigenous clown drag performers to a broader audience that appreciates the weird, is super cool. A niche crowd will be into this and I want the little goblin freaks to log in!!! And I want to show that it’s cool to be cringe!” “We are thrilled to receive this funding from the Ontario Arts Council, which will enable us to not only hire great Northern Ontario performers,” said Rihkee Strapp, Co-founder of NIAA. “This project also provides support to emerging art administrators.” The role of Indigenous clowns is to open up hearts and minds with laughter, teach lessons with tricks and ridicule, and demonstrate the crucial role of the outsider within the circle of creation.
More details will be announced soon on the NIAA.ca website and social media channels. For
more information about the Northern Indigenous Artist Alliance and its upcoming events,
please visit NIAA.ca.
Contact:
Tejhler LB
Admin Assistant// Performance Artist
taylor.leadbeater@gmail.com
(705) 257-9467
https://www.facebook.com/share/15Yh6DFtiG/
-ENDAbout Northern Indigenous Artist Alliance (NIAA):
The Northern Indigenous Artist Alliance is a provincial arts service organisation whose
mandate is to support, promote, and advocate on behalf of Northern Ontario Indigenous
artists. Through collaborative projects and by fostering collaboration and exchange across
the province with other artists, curators, critics, and cultural organisations.
