Spotlight - Columpa Bobb

“In my own world, I couldn’t express myself. I was self-destructive as a young teenager. When I went to theatre school, I found a whole new world where I could think about my feelings and not judge them. I could use critical thinking skills to be curious and creative without judging.”

Inspired by Aboriginal actor Tantoo Cardinal and her artistic parents, Bobb began attending theatre school at 16, and has been fully immersed in the arts ever since. The actress of Tsleil-Waututh and Nlaka’pamux First Nations heritage accepted any positions she could in the theatre community, from janitorial work to stage-managing. She eventually moved to Toronto to pursue her acting career.

When a study was conducted at McGill University stating that arts programs could help youth at risk, the Manitoba Theatre for Young People was asked to host a program to help the highest risk group–Aboriginal children. Bobb was approached to assist with the program, and made the move to Winnipeg to begin her position as the Aboriginal Arts Training and Mentorship Program director.

“I didn’t want to take a year out of my career to give a one-year program to these kids, and then take it away once the study was over,” says Bobb.

That desire to make a difference has resulted in Bobb spearheading the program for the past eight years. The Jessie Richardson Theatre Award winner has been focused on providing her students with the opportunity to express themselves through the arts.

“I believe art is a very powerful tool to empower people to tell their own stories and build confidence. The philosophy behind the program is that empowered youth become empowered citizens, making empowered decisions for the community.”

Some of Bobb’s students have gone on to have careers in the theatre world. The program has received positive feedback, and the youth participants are looking to stay involved after the program’s completion. The Urban Indigenous Theatre Company has evolved from that desire to remain in the arts.

“We’ve managed to build over the last number of years a number of youth interested in the arts as a viable career choice. In the next three to five years, we hope that they become a working professional company.”

The newly formed company has forged a relationship with MTC’s artistic director Steven Schipper. Schipper will be directing an Urban Indigenous Theatre Company play, Little Red Riding Hood, this coming year. Bobb will switch gears and join her students onstage.

“It’s a nice lateral move for my students, so that we become colleagues. It’s also a step towards the arts community that they’ve been striving to become a part of. I think it will be empowering for them to see me as a fellow actor as opposed to a director or teacher.” 

Bobb’s work has also inspired others, as her students had their spoken-work theatre piece, Moving Gallery, showcased as a part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission events.

“We had students from a rural white community in Morden and students in an urban native community research residential schools, and then write about the impact the research had on them.”

Together with Morden Collegiate instructor Phillip Duncan, the students had the opportunity to reflect on the theme of displacement while working in a truly collaborative manner. The two communities got together and talked about serious topics that affected many Aboriginal Peoples nationwide. The willingness to get together for the greater good is something that Bobb has not seen in any of the communities in which she has worked, from Montreal straight through to British Columbia.

“Not only is there every art form you can imagine in this city, there’s a sense of community in that you can put on shows that are true collaborations, without a lot of the red tape and games that go on in other centres.”

Bobb has spent many years writing, performing and teaching. The multi-talented performer does not plan on settling into just one of those disciplines anytime soon.

“I am a very passionate person, but I’m very undisciplined. I love to be free to just bounce around; if I was just acting, I don’t think I would have lasted this long. Anything that keeps me in the theatre, I’m fortunate to do.”