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About Us » Context & Environment

De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group is located on the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, on Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron. This is the home of our administrative offices, and our summer performance venue at the Holy Cross Mission Ruins. The community of Wikwemikong has a population of about 2800 people, and a membership of about 6,500. The neighbouring hamlet of Manitowaning with a population of 350 is the site of our new training and production centre, and the home of our National Aboriginal Arts Animator Program.

The total Island population is about 12,000 permanent residents spread out over a 120-mile long Island. There are 6 First Nations and 8 Non- Native communities. The closest professional theatre companies are located in Sudbury, about 2.5 hours drive. The Island is accessible by ferry from Tobermory from mid-May until mid-October, or by driving around through Sudbury and Espanola to cross the bridge at Little Current throughout the year.

Our practice, just like our lives, is largely influenced by the natural environment.

The arts infrastructure of our region and the remote and isolated communities we serve is extremely low, resulting in very few opportunities for sharing resources and support, but also allowing for creative linkages with non-traditional partners. Community based support is a result of partnerships with organizations and programs that are a part of the infrastructure of most native communities - i.e. education, health and social services, economic development, and youth programming.