Spotlight

With over 25 years of experience, Annick Obonsawin has been performing ever since she was a child. As an Actor, Annick has starred in shows like YTV’s 90’s Cult favorite “Squawk Box”, “The Adventures of Shirley Holmes” and “Goosebumps”.

Danis Goulet is a Cree/Métis writer and director. Her films have screened at festivals around the world including Sundance, Berlin, MoMA and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Donna Mary Noonan grew up about 200 miles northeast of Thunder Bay, and studied Radio, TV and Theatre Arts at Confederation College in Thunder Bay. She continued her journey at Concordia University in Montreal studying Fine Arts and Theatre Scenography.

Heather Manitowabi is Ojibway and Odawa from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve located on Manitoulin Island, but resides in Sudbury, Ontario. Manitowabi’s family is from the Bear Clan. Manitowabi's spirit name is Wabgoonii Kwezenhs. Manitowabi works as a Make-Up artist for the film and television industry for northern Ontario and is part of the film union IATSE.

Katherena Vermette is a Métis writer from Treaty One territory, the heart of the Métis nation, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her first book, North End Love Songs (The Muses Company) won the Governor General’s Literary Award for Poetry.

Lisa Meeches is one of the most dynamic and respected producers in the film industry, and is Anishinaabe from Long Plain First Nation. After studying broadcasting in North Dakota, Lisa began her career in 1986 with the Winnipeg-based Native Media Network.

Loretta Todd is a leader in Indigenous media, having directed over 100 projects including award-winning documentaries, such as Forgotten Warriors and Hands of History, with the NFB, plus digital media, animation and television.

Michelle Thrush has worked professionally in film, television and theatre for more than 35 years, with over fifty professional credits in the entertainment industry.

Myrna McCallum is the host of "The Trauma-Informed Lawyer" Podcast which serves to educate on trauma-informed lawyering, cultural humility, vicarious trauma, vicarious resilience, and Indigenous intergenerational trauma.

Nicole McCormick is a proud Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawk) woman, whose family is from Six Nations of the Grand River territory. She is the Managing Assignment Editor at CityNews Toronto and Breakfast Television.

Nina J. McArthur, is a Hairstylist, Make-Up Artist, Aesthetician, Photographer and Eyelash Tech. She has over 50 Film and Television credits and has been a part of the Fashion & Beauty Industry for over 20 years across Canada, Europe and the USA.

Rose Stiffarm is a Blackfoot Filmmaker, Artist, Educator, from the Siksika Nation, with family from Cowichan, Tsartlip, A’ninin, and Nakoda Nations.

Shannon Baker is Dakelh Dené from the Stellat’en First Nation in northern British Columbia. She is an actor, TV Host, producer, writer, and content creator. She has garnered a big following on social media and uses her platform to bring awareness to social injustices and the environment.

Canadian born, Shauna Baker was raised by her Dené Grandmother on a reservation in northern Canada. Shauna was extensively involved in business before her entertainment career began.

Sonia Bonspille Boileau is a bilingual Kanien'kehá:ka and Québécois filmmaker who has been working with Nish Media for almost fifteen years bringing Indigenous content to the screen for viewers of all cultural backgrounds.

Suzanne Shawbonquit, Waabshki Miigwaani Kwe (White Feather Woman) is a member of the Crane Clan. A business leader, entrepreneur, design thinker and change agent.

Dr. Tasha Hubbard is a filmmaker and an associate professor in the Faculty of Native Studies/Department of English and Film at the University of Alberta. She is from Peepeekisis First Nation in Treaty Four Territory and has ties to Thunderchild First Nation in Treaty Six Territory. She is also the mother of a fourteen-year-old son.

Terril Calder is an Okney Cree Métis artist, born in Fort Frances, currently living in Toronto, Canada. Calder attended The University of Manitoba's Fine Art Program as a Drawing major and a minor in film.

Theo Jean Cuthand (b. 1978 Regina, SK) makes short experimental videos and films about sexuality, madness, Queer identity, love, and Indigeneity, which have screened in festivals and galleries internationally. He completed his BFA majoring in Film/Video at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2005, and his MA in Media Production at Ryerson University in 2015.

Tracey Kim Bonneau is a multiple award winning documentary writer, director & producer from the Syilx Nation/Okanagan British Columbia. Her company, Of the Land Productions Inc. based out of Penticton, specializes in producing broadcast quality productions featuring Indigenous stories.