Creative Manitoba

Red City Voices with Michael Lawrenchuk
2026-03-17 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Winnipeg) | Canadian Plains Gallery, B1 - 290 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0S6, Canada
Presented by Canadian Plains Gallery
Programmed and hosted by Jacques St. Goddard and David McLeod
RED CITY VOICES
Tuesday March 17 – 7pm – 9:00pm
Presented in person at Canadian Plains Gallery
B1 – 290 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg
Downstairs, one floor, unfortunately there is no elevator access
Winter is for storytelling. RED CITY VOICES is a space for Indigenous poetry and storytelling, it’s an open mic gathering planned for Tuesday March 17, with special guest Michael Lawrenchuk.
Michael is Cree and has worked in theatre, film and television as an Actor, Director and Writer and Producer and Teacher since 1991. He will be sharing new writing and insight into his years of experience. Michael is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg’s Honours Acting Program and pursued his post-grad studies at the London Theatre School, University of Exeter, Staging Shakespeare and is a 2011 Fellow of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. He has written and professionally performed two one person shows, The Trial of Kicking Bear, and The Gravedigger and is about to embark on his third tour of Where Are The Warriors. He strongly believes in the power of storytelling. He noted that it has kept First Nations strong and vibrant for 40 thousand generations.
“The nature of theatre, of acting, is a very psychological process. The training requires that one explores oneself as an individual, as a member of a community and as a member of the greater society. This exploration demands honesty, as honesty and truth is the necessary foundation of a persons life if it is to be a part of Nature and Spirit. It’s a wonderful, safe tool that heals the soul. Theatre training has saved my life saved my life. It helped me to rip off the defensive angry masks I used to used to navigate in a colonial society.”
He has also been the Artistic Director of Red Roots Theatre since the summer of 2000. Previous to this, he was the Chief of the Fox Lake First Nation, and was very active at the national and regional political level.
“I have the ability to help people strengthen their self perception. I can help people reconnect with the truth within themselves so that they feel good about themselves.”
Michael has just completed a powerful story of survival amidst destruction of his village and land by outsiders driven by greed and a desire for profit. An event that lead to the displacement and erasure of the villagers’ culture and history. Wapusk, returns to his ancestral village to visits his grandparents grave. It is a memory poem telling of a brief time in the history of village people, that forever changed the healthy strong, vibrant people.
Michael is also working on programs that he will be delivering to youth in first nation communities that will enhance self-esteem, build confidence and and self worth through drama, theatre, storytelling and art. He is also working to providing summer arts camps in first nations by the summer.
RED CITY VOICES welcomes current and up-incoming Indigenous writers as part of the gathering. Please note, the open mic is limited to 5 minutes to allow others to share within our designated schedule. There is also a writing exercise for everyone in attendance who would like to participate : )
A great evening programmed by Jacques St. Goddard and David McLeod for Indigenous voices, thoughtful vibes and lots of laughter.
Red City Voices recognizes the kind support of Creative Manitoba in this community initiative.
Bannock & Jam onsite!
EVERYONE IS WELCOME! No registration required.
