An active musician in Vancouver, Tina has performed across Canada, the US, and Europe. As a recitalist, she has performed with such distinguished artists as Daniel Okulitch, Melody Courage, Lara Ciekiewicz, Manuela Custer, and Alessandra Volpe. She has toured with various artists in Vancouver to all corners of British Columbia separately with the group QuintEssence (Robyn Driedger-Klassen, Barb Towell, Frederik Robert, and Peter Alexander) and the Vancouver Opera in Schools (VOIS) to bring music to underserved communities while enjoying the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.

Cinnamon Sandhu is an artist based in Vancouver, BC. She has been singing since the age of 9 and has actively participated in more than 20 music competitions since her childhood. With over 3 years of Indian music training and 2 years of western music training, her musical expertise is diverse. Cinnamon’s discography encompasses a wide range of genres, including Punjabi pop, R&B, English pop, and soulful acoustic sounds inspired by various cultures around the world.

A Cappella York is a mixed-gender a cappella chorus, comprising both male and female members. They delight in singing a diverse repertoire of songs, harmonizing in four parts using the distinctive “barbershop” style. As proud members of the international Barbershop Harmony Society, they actively engage with and contribute to the communities of York Region and its surroundings.

Lauri Hoeg is Anishinaabe Kwe and a proud member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation where she lives, works and creates in her studio by the water called “Eagles in the East”. Inspired by her Anishinaabe culture and island surroundings, Lauri can be found at her easel creating woodland styled art pieces.

Lauri has a degree in Indigenous Governance and Administration and is currently the Indigenous Trustee for the York Region District School Board. In this role, she speaks for equity in education for Indigenous students. Lauri has worked in First Nation education for over 30 years and served 8 years as an elected Band Councillor for Georgina Island.

To promote community wellness and healing, Lauri works to support language and culture revitalization after many years of loss in her First Nation. She also supports relationship building and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. As a result, she teaches First Nation cultural awareness in schools, organizations, and non-Indigenous communities.

Ian retired from Metroland Media in 2016 after a career in publishing including 19 years as Vice-President and Regional Publisher. He currently works as Senior Advisor for MP Tony Van Bynen.

In 2011, Ian was awarded the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship and in 2016 was recognized with the York Region Character Community Award. He currently serves as President of The Sharon Temple Museum Society and is on the editorial board for Trent University Alumni Magazine.

A resident of East Gwillimbury, Ian and his wife have been blessed with five children and five grandchildren.

Dr. Julien is a Mi’kmaw historian and the executive director of The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, which has grown under his leadership over the last two decades into one of the most respected tribal councils in Canada.

With over 40 years researching and documenting Mi’kmaw history, Donald shares his knowledge and experiences through speaking engagements, university lectures and research papers. Donald is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Nova Scotia for his work promoting Mi’kmaw history, language and culture. He has also been awarded two honorary degrees from Acadia University and Mount Saint Vincent University.

Donald is a peacetime veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and has served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Tour in Cyprus. He continues to work with the Canadian Armed forces in a community advisory role, the RCMP Aboriginal Advisory Group, as well as the Auditor General on Aboriginal matters. He sits on the Advisory Board for Admiral of the Canadian Navy, and he was appointed Honorary Lt. Colonel in 2011. Donald and his wife Diane live in Truro and are the proud parents of four children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Adria Jackson’s silvery and otherworldly voice paired with the deep, haunting tones of her hand-crafted Celtic Lever Harp, made in Annapolis Valley, NS, exquisitely brings traditional ballads and classical songs to life. She has performed in venues across Canada and the United Kingdom such as historical buildings, markets, cultural gatherings and even the banks of Lake Louise, Banff, Canada. She is currently touring Nova Scotia and PEI to promote her debut album Troubadour. Adria Jackson holds a BA with distinction in music (Classical Voice) from Brock University.

Allen Snow, the recent winner of the Blues recording of the year at the 2023 East Coast Music Awards, captivates audiences with his raspy and soulful sound. Inspired by legends like Eric Clapton and Etta James, his genre-defying music reflects his transient life. When not making music, Snow works as a damage control training instructor and raises his two young children.

Geri Musqua-LeBlanc has lived in Mi’kmaqi for most of her life. She is a Saulteaux/Kanawake woman. Geri is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is a residential school survivor from St Philips Indian Residential School. Geri has received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal for her work in employment equity and social justice. She shared her knowledge with her colleagues and team leaders. Geri has and still helps people who are treated unjustly. She truly believes she is doing what Creator has asked her to do.

Geri Musqua-LeBlanc a vécu en mi’kmaqi la majeure partie de sa vie. Elle est une femme Saulteaux/Kanawake. Geri est mère, grand-mère et arrière-grand-mère. Elle a survécu au régime des pensionnats indiens de St Philips. Geri a reçu la médaille du jubilé de diamant de la Reine pour son travail dans le domaine de l’équité en matière d’emploi et de la justice sociale. Elle a partagé ses connaissances avec ses collègues et ses chefs d’équipe. Geri a aidé et continue d’aider les personnes injustement traitées. Elle croit sincèrement qu’elle fait ce que le Créateur lui a demandé de faire.

Young Bhangra Club, Calgary’s premier bhangra academy, emerged in 2012 as the city’s first official institution dedicated to this vibrant cultural dance form. Since its inception, it has nurtured and instructed numerous children in the art of Bhangra. Their commitment and expertise have led them to participate in various international competitions, where their team has garnered an impressive collection of trophies.