December 2022
Pamela Barnes
Okanagan Elder and member of the Westbank First Nation
Her/She
Pamela Barnes is an Okanagan Elder and member of the Westbank First Nation. Her formal education is in Aboriginal Government. She has worked as an Indigenous Educator for 35 years and is an Adjunct Professor at UBCO School of Nursing. Pamela also offers Syilx cultural teachings to the public, in partnership with the Kelowna Heritage Museum, the Kelowna Art Gallery, the Rotary Centre for the Arts and the Regional Parks.
READ MOREArlene Ruiz
Owner of Alexene Immigration & Employment Services Inc
She/Her
Arlene Ruiz, the proud owner of Alexene Immigration & Employment Services Inc and an ICCRC & CAPIC member, has been practicing as a licensed immigration consultant and recruiter since December 2013 with the office situated in the heart of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
READ MOREBen Cottrill
Soulful Folk-Rock Artist
He/Him
Ben Cottrill is a spirited west-coast artist with a soulful Folk-Rock sound, shaped by a decade of performing on streets across Canada. Blending live vocal looping with the warm rhythms of piano & guitar.
READ MOREBen Dunnill
Singer, Pianist, Producer & Arranger
He/Him
Ben has played over 1500 professional shows as a singer/pianist as well as serving as a musical director for the Sassy Awards, and the University of Fraser Valley. In 2022 Ben Performed alongside Mathew V at the Legendary Massey Hall. Ben also works as a composer having written music for TV shows such as “Momondays” and “When paintings come alive”. He was named “One of the ten artists to look out for” by the Vancouver press in 2016.
READ MORENorth Saskatchewan Regiment Pipes and Drums
Traditional Bag Piper Performers
The North Saskatchewan Regiment Pipes and Drums are based in Saskatoon, SK under the command of Pipe Major Craig Shirley. Comprised mostly of volunteers, and a few enlisted members, the band is active in the community and participates in both military and civilian parades.
READ MOREBruce Sinclair
Metis Theatre Artist & Teacher
He/Him
Bruce Sinclair is a Metis theatre artist, teacher, student of the nehiyawewin (Cree) and Michif languages and is currently based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Bruce formed an artistic entity, miyoteh performance that will develop and produce works based on working with Indigenous artists, youth, elders, the nehiyawewin\michif languages as well as artistic collaborations with diverse communities
READ MOREKTheChosen
Performer, Singer and Activist
He/Him
Born in Zimbabwe and currently based in Calgary, Hip-hop artist and TEDx speaker, KTheChosen writes lyrics that are both entertaining and enlightening.
READ MOREAlla Melnychuk
Concert Pianist
She/Her
Alla Melnychuk, concert pianist from Ukraine. She graduated from Kharkiv National University of Arts. An experienced concert pianist, she has been teaching piano for more than a decade in many European countries such as Luxembourg, Germany, Poland, Spain, and Italy and continues to teach them online. She has been honoured with various awards for outstanding creative and intellectual achievement in many international competitions.
READ MORECheryl Simon
Assistant Professor
Her/She
Cheryl Simon is an Assistant Professor who will teach Property and Special Issues in Aboriginal Law and Indigenous Governance at the law school. She is a proud Mi’kmaq woman from Epekwitk (PEI) with extensive experience in community-based policy development. She completed her BA in Native Studies from the University of Lethbridge and a law degree from the University of Victoria.
READ MOREBecca Bartlett
Singer & Songwriter
She/Her
Becca Bartlett is a 19 year old Newfoundland singer/songwriter and performer. She enjoys playing original songs and covers. In 2021, Becca was awarded the Focus on Youth Performing Individual award by the City of Mount Pearl, in recognition of her involvement in the local entertainment industry.. Her original song “Calypso” was produced and performed by local musician Pete, and her first single “Dreams were made for sleeping” will be available on all major streaming platforms.
READ MOREWendy Philips
Elder from the Bald Eagle Clan
She/Her
Wendy is of the Bald Eagle Clan; She is Pot-ta-wat-to-me and Ojibwa and a proud member of Was-sauk-sing First Nation in the heart of the Muskokas. She is a keeper of the 8th Fire Prophecies, Keeper of the Ancient Thunderbird Calendar, Ceremonial Leader, Spiritual Educator, Cultural Innovator and Traditional Indigenous Healer. In 2018, Wendy was awarded the Community Medal for Scarborough/Guildwood from M.P John McKay and she was also a recipient for the Remarkable Woman Award.
READ MORETerry Young
Program Manager, Indigenous Studies and Community Engagement Initiative
He/Him
Terry Young is Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet). He hails from Kingsclear First Nation located in New Brunswick. For the last 15 years, he’s resided on the Kanienkehaka Territory of Tiotake (Montreal) with his husband Justin Mahoney.Young holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Thomas University, with a double major in Native Studies and Anthropology.
READ MOREJustin Birco
Musician, Artist, Singer & Song Writer
He/Him
Justin Birco; a soulful artist with fundamentals based in Blues/Funk/Pop and Rock n’ Roll, is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and Holistic Health enthusiast with over 13+ years of experience. The Scarborough native is currently recording his EP, which will be titled “13”, and is releasing it in 2023. Follow @justinbirco on all social media for more details!
READ MOREKarla Briones
Business Strategist
She/Her
Karla Briones is a business strategist that coaches new immigrants, BIPOC and underrepresented business owners on becoming successful entrepreneurs with scalable ventures.
READ MORERhonda Downey
Settlement Trainer
She/Her
Rhonda Downey is a Settlement Trainer at YMCA, Newcomer Connections. Working as an English teacher for over 10 years and then as a Settlement Trainer for over 6 years, Rhonda has applied her passion to help others learn about culture differences and help newcomers to settle in New Brunswick. Newcomer Connections provides wraparound services to clients, taking a holistic approach to assistance with community connections, language, employment supports and settlement orientation.
READ MORENovember 2022
KTheChosen
Performer, Singer and Activist
He/Him
Born in Zimbabwe and currently based in Calgary, Hip-hop artist and TEDx speaker, KTheChosen writes lyrics that are both entertaining and enlightening.
READ MOREIsadore
R&B Singer & Songwriter
She/Her
Isadore is a R&B singer/songwriter based in Toronto whose soulful melodies and soft voice chronicle her ever-evolving relationship with herself and others. Touching on topics such as mental health and feelings of uncertainty, Isadore aims to connect to those also finding themselves unsure of which path to take and how to find happiness in a world that seems foreign and overwhelming. Her singing style lends itself to years of musical infatuation with genres such as soul, R&B and its various sub-genres whose own pioneers also led with their hearts on their sleeves, unashamed of baring their souls, and giving a voice to those who couldn’t find the words to express themselves as freely
READ MORELowa Beebe
Public Relations, Advocacy, Governance, Media, Strategy and Communications
She/Her
Lowa is a proud member of the Piikani Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy & Treaty 7. She is recognized for her work in Public Relations, Advocacy, Governance, Media, Strategy and Communications. She has worked in Indigenous communities locally, provincially, and nationally with First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities in areas such as Policy, Custom Election Codes, Engagement, Governance, Consultation, Strategic Planning and more
READ MOREFrances Koncan
Playwright & Director
She/Her
Frances Koncan (she/they) is an Anishinaabe and Slovene writer originally from Couchiching First Nation in Treaty 3 territory. They are currently based in Treaty 1 territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba, where they work as a playwright and journalist. They are currently the Writer-in-Residence at the Winnipeg Public Library.
READ MORENikki Komaksiutiksak
Inuit Throat Singer & Teacher
She/Her
Nikki is an Inuit woman from Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut. She currently works for the Department of Manitoba Justice. Nikki has found the strength to preserve her “Inukness” living in the southern part of Canada. Nikki uses her knowledge and understanding of the south to assist other Inuit moving to the big city.
READ MOREKevin Deer
Faithkeeper at the Mohawk Trail Longhouse
He/Him
Kanahsohon Kevin Deer from Kahnawake Mohawk Territory. For the last 30 years involved in Mohawk Language retention and revitalization. He is also a Faithkeeper at the Mohawk Trail Longhouse which involves knowing sacred songs, dances and rituals. He enjoys discussing and presenting the Iroquoian world views, history and philosophy. He was involved in the Kahnawake Police Commission from 2005 to 2015.
READ MOREDr. Laura Forsythe
Red River Métis tenure track lecturer UWinnipeg Faculty of Education.
Katie Tupper
Neo Soul-Singer
She/Her
Katie Tupper, a 24-year old neo-soul musician, embodies that spirit of boundary-pushing, genre-defying artists at work within the often overlooked region. Her latest EP Towards The End–a sultry, glittering debut that showcases Tupper’s mastery as a musician, writer and producer, and is an ode to love, identity and the inextricable ways the two entwine.
READ MOREDr. Sabrina Jafralie
PhD, Educator, Change maker, Activist
Takayce
Afro-Jamaican-Canadian Singer & Songwriter
She/Her
Afro-Jamaican-Canadian,Singer-Songwriter, daughter of Jamaica’s Pioneer of Gospel, Claudelle Clarke. She began to follow her mother’s footsteps at the age of five in full force. She has performed in Europe, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. Shy to sing off stage but a tigress on. She is captivating, eclectic with a deep soulful voice
READ MOREGabrielle Cloutier
Singer, Animator and Vocal Teacher
The Sadler Sisters
Singers & Songwriters
She/Her/They
Although their personalities may differ, they share many common musical influences and tastes. Hailing from Winnipeg Manitoba. The Sadler Sisters perform a mixture of pop covers and jazz standards while recently starting to dabble in their own songwriting. They enjoy creating paired-down acoustic arrangements of popular music infused with jazz stylings.
READ MOREAmber Epp
Jazz Singer
She/Her
Amber Epp performs uplifting vocal jazz music with a rhythmic beat. She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and loves to meet and interact with newcomers to Canada. Amber has performed across our country, and won a Western Canadian Music Award for one of her four albums. She also supports newcomers in Canada by teaching English to refugees. Please enjoy this original song by Canadian artist, Amber Epp.
READ MOREBanafsheh Taherian
Writer & Storyteller
Grandmother Kim Wheatley
Ojibwe Anishinaabe Grandmother from Shawanaga First Nation Reserve
She/Her
Grandmother Kim Wheatley carries the spirit name Head or Leader of the Fireflower.
READ MORE