Toronto-based arts company Red Sky Performance has launched a subscription-based streaming platform with the aim of amplifying Indigenous stories globally.

Aki Creators launched on May 14 with a focus on Indigenous content, including film, TV, dance and digital projects. The streamer aims to commission originals from indie producers, in addition to acquisitions, Sandra Laronde, the platform’s founder and Red Sky executive and artistic director, told Playback in a statement.

The platform’s subscription plan costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year, with a seven-day free trial, according to a news release.

Aki Creators has content partnerships with Igloolik-headquartered artist collective and production and distribution company Isuma, Vancouver prodco Rugged Media and video art distribution company V-Tape, which Laronde said will be leveraged in the future to build “an expansive Aki Creators platform.” Also planned is an expansion towards longer TV and film projects.

“We are interested in generating content based on our themes of Indigenous wisdom, art and land,” said Laronde.

The platform’s current offerings include the short film Last Dances Us (pictured), written, directed, and choreographed by Laronde. The film blends performance with AI and is inspired by an Anishinaabe creation story. Dré Labre served as AI lead and creative collaborator on the project.

Also available are two experimental short films Tungijuq (What We Eat) from Isuma Productions’ Zacharias Kunk and Helen Haig Brown’s The Cave; Red Sky’s dance on film production, Miigis; and Red Talks, featuring performances and interviews with singer and songwriter Aysanabee, author Michelle Good, scholar Taiaiake Alfred, water protector Autumn Peltier, singer and songwriter Logan Staats, author and storyteller James Vulkelich, and author David A. Robertson.

Red Sky Performance was created in 2000 by Laronde and is focused on dance, theatre, music, and media. It has delivered more than 3,000 performances across Canada and international performances in 21 countries including two Cultural Olympiads (Beijing and Vancouver), World Expo in Shanghai, Venice Biennale, and the Kennedy Center, among others.

Image courtesy of Red Sky Performance