The Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (NIFF)

The Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (NIFF) is back from Friday June 21 to Sunday June 23.

The world’s first and only Indigenous Fringe Festival is focused on providing opportunities for Indigenous performers to showcase uncensored, land-based art. Shows will take place from June 21 to the 23.

For the fifth annual festival this year, artists are gathering from all over the province and beyond to share their performances with the Nogojiwanong-Peterborough community.

The festival will also feature local talent, including drag performer Jesse Vossen and filmmakers Alice Olsen Williams, Carol Taylor, Marg Knott, Marilyn Knott, Anne Taylor, Jonathan Taylor, Angela Connors, Missy Knott, and Sarah Lewis.

“It’s amazing how different all of our shows are from each other and from what we’ve seen before,” said NIFF general manager Lee Bolton. “Because we are part of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals, there is no curation and no censorship. Basically, the rule is if it’s not illegal and it’s not going to burn the place down, you can do it.” 

“The variety of contemporary Indigenous performance that’s out there is just amazing,” she added. “This is a living culture and people have the chance to come and experience it.”

NIFF is organized by two part-time staff, with the help of summer students and volunteers. Tickets for each show cost $12 for adults and $6 for kids. Show details and the full festival schedule are available at www.indigenousfringefest.ca