more
than a
theatre.

The Theatre Centre resides on stolen land in Tkaronto — a gathering place that has been home to the Anishinaabe, including the Mississaugas of the Credit; the Haudenosaunee; and the Wendat since time immemorial. We offer our gratitude to all past, present, and future generations of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples that have cared, and continue to care, for Turtle Island. 

The Theatre Centre is committed to disrupting the ongoing systems and structures that uphold settler-colonialism, heteropatriarchy, white supremacy, and ableism by continuously learning and unlearning from our collective past(s). The lands of Tkaronto are covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum, an agreement forged between the Anishinaabe Nation and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to peaceably share resources; and The Toronto Purchase Treaty No. 13, an alleged agreement between settlers and the Mississaugas of the Credit for the “purchase” of 250, 830 acres of land for 10 shillings. Treaty 13 was imposed by the Crown in 1805 to give settlers legal title to the land, starkly privileging settler lives over Indigenous lives. At The Theatre Centre, we understand treaties as emblematic of relationship building. Treaty 13 exemplifies the imbalanced power dynamics embedded within Indigenous-settler relationships, highlighting the work settlers and PWIs must take on before reaching a place where trust and mutual respect are even possible.

Like many arts organizations, The Theatre Centre has directly benefited from settler-colonialism throughout its past to the present day. By making our home in Tkaronto, we take on a role that comes with responsibilities to the land and its stewards. These responsibilities start with building long-term and meaningful relationships with local Indigenous communities and organizations. We are committed to using our voice and platform to support those already doing the work, but we know we still have a long way to go.