Manitoba playwright Ian Ross dies at age 57

Ian Ross, the first Indigenous playwright to win the Governor General’s Award for English-language drama, has died at 57.

Ian Ross, a Métis-Ojibway playwright, has died at age 57.

Ross, who was best known as “Joe from Winnipeg” in local radio, made history as the first Indigenous playwright to win the Governor General’s Award for English-language drama for his play “Farewel.”

In a post on Instagram, Premier Wab Kinew thanked Ross for making Manitoba a better place. He noted it was Ross who nominated him as the NDP candidate for Fort Rouge nearly 10 years ago.

“lan Ross will be deeply missed by the countless Manitobans he inspired through his humour, intelligence, ahead-of-his-time Indigenous artistry, and lifelong commitment to bringing us all together through storytelling,” Kinew’s post said.

In another social media post, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s artistic director, Kelly Thornton, described Ross as a bright light and a powerful storyteller.

“He never missed an opportunity to share a story, taking us on long curving paths as he revealed a shining nugget of wisdom,” the post said.

“It is how he taught, how he led, how he shared his friendship with all who knew him. Through story. There are no words to soothe the sorrow we all feel at this terrible loss.”

The cause of Ross’ death has not yet been released.

With files from CTV’s Thandi Vera