From March 4 to April 4, 2026, Duceppe presents Tupqan | Our interior territories, a unique collective work born from the meeting between indigenous artists from five nations and three companies. Created to mark the 40th anniversary of Ondinnok, the show brings together creators from the Menuentakuan and Auen companies around an ambitious project, at the crossroads of political thriller, poetic theater and the quest for identity.
This original creation from Duceppe’s writing residencies is inspired by the culture of the different indigenous nations from which the performing artists come (Innu•es, Kanien’kehá:ka, Mi’gmaq, Atikamekw and Wolastoqey) to offer an intimate and collective reflection on identity, memory and heritage. The title of the show, Tupqan — which means “land” in the Wolastoqey language — evokes both anchoring, transmission and the link between personal stories and collective history.
A political thriller with spiritual resonancesThree decades have passed since the theft of the wampum, a sacred object and symbol of cohesion for the small fictional community of Whitefish. However, this departure coincides with the disappearance of one of its members. Is there a connection between these two events? This is the question that has haunted Polam Nicolas since he let himself be persuaded by his cousin and his best friend to run for the leadership of the band council. As he is thrust into the media spotlight in his village, political tension between clans takes on dangerous proportions. Finding the wampum could help Polam win the election, even bring peace to Whitefish. But this quest will transform him in an unexpected way, when the beaded belt appears to him in a dream and takes on a deep spiritual dimension linked to his family’s past.
An enveloping experience Soleil Launière’s direction integrates elements of dance and song, while the captivating music of CHANCES accompanies a story charged with tension, beauty and spirituality.
“Polam, in his quest to find the wampum, reconstructs his own wampum, whose beads were scattered, and reconstitutes the lost connection with his family. And that’s what we want the people in the room to feel: that they too are the pearls of a common thread, and that together, we participate in the construction of this collective wampum.” – Soleil Launière, director
Cast and adviceThe show features an indigenous and non-indigenous cast composed of Kevin Deer, Sylvie Drapeau, Sharon Fontaine Ishpatao, Saulnia Jean-Pierre, Jeanne Moreau-Vollant, Ines Talbi, Étienne Thibeault and Alexia Vinci. Alongside authors Dave Jenniss and Xavier Huard, Charles Bender served as artistic advisor and three people contributed as dramaturgical advisors: Tim Uashteskun Bacon, Jean-Frédéric Messier and Jade-Léon Préfontaine.
An indigenous rate to promote accessibility Echoing the themes of Tupqan | Our interior territories, a work born from the collective work between Indigenous artists, Duceppe offers a reduced rate intended for people who identify as Indigenous. This gesture of openness and welcome aims to reduce financial barriers, so that everyone can recognize themselves in this story and access this meaningful artistic proposition.
TUPQAN | OUR INTERIOR TERRITORIES Creation Collective work Text Dave Jenniss and Xavier Huard Directed by Soleil Launière Artistic advice Charles Bender Dramaturgical advice Tim Uashteskun Bacon, Jean-Frédéric Messier and Jade-Léon Préfontaine A work by Ondinnok, in co-creation with Menuentakuan and Production Auen A co-production by Duceppe, Ondinnok, Indigenous Theater of the NAC and National Creation Fund of the NACWith the support of the Cole FoundationInterpretation Kevin Deer, Sylvie Drapeau, Sharon Fontaine Ishpatao, Saulnia Jean-Pierre, Jeanne Moreau-Vollant, Ines Talbi, Étienne Thibeault and Alexia VinciAssistance to the m.e.s. Dominique CuerrierScenography and props Julie-Christina PicherCostumes, make-up and hairstyle Rose TalbotLighting Renaud PettigrewOriginal music CHANCESMouvement Claudia Chan TakMaking wigs Sarah TremblayProduction direction Mélisande Goux
Presented at DuceppeFrom March 4 to April 4, 2026Media premiere: Thursday March 5, 2026