Good Women Dance Collective (GWDC) is pleased to announce the 2026/27 New Work Award recipient, Teneil Whiskeyjack. Teneil will receive $2500 in prize money, mentorship from the Good Women Dance Collective throughout 2026 and a performance spot at the 2027 Expanse Festival.
“I am humbled and honoured to carry on the responsibility as the New Work Award recipient,” says Whiskeyjack. “I wouldn’t be where I am had it not been for my Cree roots, family, community, mentors and connection to Creator. In gratitude, thank you.”
Teneil Whiskeyjack is a Plains Cree artist from Saddle Lake Cree Nation whose work is rooted in the power of story. An award-winning actor, playwright and performance artist, she began performing at eight years old and has since built a dynamic career across film, television, and stage, earning recognition for her breakout role in Dreamkeeper. She holds a BA in Theatre from Concordia University of Edmonton and was named the 2024 Esquao Award recipient for the arts, which celebrates Indigenous women in leadership and advocacy.
A compelling voice and leader, Teneil has shared her vision as keynote speaker with Augustana University and continues to shape contemporary Indigenous performance through original works like Ayita. Ayita was Teneil’s playwright’s debut and was the headlining production for SkirtsAfire Festival. She has toured across North America with acclaimed production Bear Grease and her most recent stage roles include Wolf Cull and Strife with Tarragon Theatre. Teneil’s practice extends beyond the stage into land-based creation and international collaboration, centering Indigenous women’s resurgence, embodiment, and healing through movement.
GWDC has been supporting the presentation of new dance work by local artists with our New Work Award since 2013, in partnership with Azimuth Theatre and the Expanse Movement Arts Festival. Presented annually, the New Work Award has so far made it possible for 11 up-and-coming artists to share their work with the Edmonton public.