manidoons collective is a circle of artists creating Indigenous performance.

The artistic leadership includes Yolanda Bonnell (Ojibwe-South Asian) and Cole Alvis (Métis) both based in Tkarón:to.

manidoons collective recognizes the importance of collaborating with Indigenous communities, specifically Indigenous women, 2-Spirit, trans and non-binary storytellers.

bug

cover by Chief Lady Bird

bug is a 60 minute solo show about women of an Indigenous family navigating addiction and intergenerational trauma. When their addictions manifest as manidoons (Ojibwe word for bug, insect or worm), the creature burrows beneath their skin, pushing them beyond the brink.

Using movement, poetry, and prose, creator/performer Yolanda Bonnell weaves stories of women grappling with their painful past and making tough choices to survive. This work is honest, unflinching, and raw; it will take your breath away.

Published by Scirocco Drama, bug by Yolanda Bonnell was nominated for a Governor General's Award for English-language drama in 2020.

buy bug

How We Tour

manidoons collective works with presenters to add community presentations in neighbouring Indigenous communities while on tour. This is an opportunity for our collective of artists to engage with local Indigenous leaders and for the presenters to develop and/or maintain relationships with the Peoples upon whose land their venue stands.

bug by Yolanda Bonnell has been developed with Native Women in the Arts, Native Earth Performing Arts, The Collaborations at National Arts Centre, and Luminato with support from Generator, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts.

Indigenizing Practices

  1. Work days are shorter, leaning more towards 5 hours (or 3-4 if online).
  2. Work weeks are 5 days a week (instead of 6), if possible – there will be no two show days in the production.
  3. Each day in the space begins with a check-in circle, an opportunity for folx to speak about where they are physically, mentally, spiritually etc. This is so we know how to be in space with each other by respecting boundaries and states of being. This removes the request to ‘leave baggage at the door’ as we choose to adjust the work plan as needed.
  4. Transparency in any and all things. No one is on the outside of knowledge. Everyone on the team is welcome to any meeting regarding the production.
  5. We work, play, create and exist in space by holding the 7 Anishinaabe Grandmother/Grandfather teachings of Truth, Honesty, Bravery, Courage, Love, Wisdom and Humility. We add Patience to this list as it serves our work.
  6. Everyone has autonomy. If a person needs to leave suddenly or needs to take care of themselves and their body, they are given space to do so. It is up to manidoons collective, as the holders of the process, to adjust.
  7. We start each project or process with a contemporary feast to begin that journey in a good way. Traditional Feasts in various communities have protocols that we will adhere to as long as they align with our 2 Spirit and anti-patriarchal values.
  8. We aim to provide sustenance in the room for well being through a ‘wellness table’, which may include items for self soothing, snacks, books etc.  
  9. We will listen with open hearts to any grievance or objection that an individual may have with the work or with us, as well as offering an outside option to speak to (a liaison or stage manager or cultural worker) should the need arise.
  10. If harm does occur in space, we will hold a talking circle to name the harm and collectively discuss our next action and accountability.
  11. No one will be asked to disclose personal trauma for the sake of the story.
  12. If the story triggers trauma for anyone in the room, we will stop to discuss and/or pivot the work plan as needed. Collective care is of utmost importance. 
  13. Traditional medicine (sage, sweetgrass, cedar, tobacco and potentially others) will be present in the room and made available for anyone to use.

Dora Mavor Moore Award Nominations

2019

Outstanding new play | Yolanda Bonnell

Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role | Yolanda Bonnell

Outstanding Lighting Design | Michel Charbonneau

Outstanding Theatre Production | Luminato presents manidoons collective