A Day To Listen

 Johna is Anishinaabekwe belonging to Wasauksing First Nation by Georgian Bay. Mom to five, partner, daughter, sister, auntie, cuzzin and Indigenous Educator for language and cultural revitalization. She works with the Near North District School board teaching Anishinaabemowin and Indigenous Studies.  

Peatr Thomas is a multidisciplinary Ininew and Anishinaabe self-taught full-time visual artist from the Pimicikamak and Miskooseepi territories located near the heart of Turtle Island. A Youth Facilitator of many years he is sharing passed down knowledge, traditional teachings, culture and the healing process in creating visual forms of art.  

Filmmaker Ahnahktsipiitaa is Blackfoot and Dutch, originally hailing from The Piikani Nation. During his upbringing he resided alongside his mother in Lethbridge and many other dusty Southern Alberta towns. Currently, Ahnahktsipiitaa is the Operations Manager for the Indigenous Matriarchs 4 AR/VR media lab (IM4-Lab). Ahnahktsipiitaa sits on Telefilm Indigenous Working Group, among others. Community centred, he aims to elevate the voices and stories of Indigenous peoples, whether creating spaces for youth works in the Talking Stick’s Festivals REEL Reservation: Indigenous Cinematic Indigenous Sovereignty Series or through his company Blackfoot Nation Films.  

With their new sound that elegantly weaves the melodies using vocals, guitar and electronic elements. they create both intimate and anthemic music that would fit in a folk club, a dance club and anywhere in between. G.R. Gritt is a Two-Spirit, Transgender, Francophone, Anishinaabe and Métis artist.

Terri Cardinal (she, her) who’s Cree name is wapekihêw iskwew, is from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. Professionally, Terri is currently on leave from MacEwan University, where she is the director of Indigenous Initiatives. She is working on a project with Blue Quills University as the Indian Residential School Coordinator for the next year. She completed her clinical MSW specializing in trauma with the University of Calgary and is currently pursuing her PhD in Social Work with the University of Calgary. Terri research and passion focuses on ceremony is healing, Indigenous social work, identity and Indigenous land-based learning.  

Becky Han who grew up in Arctic Bay, Nunavut now resides on Treaty 6 territory where she works from home. Believing that music is a crucial educational tool, she composes most of her songs in Inuktitut. Being active on social media, Han also uses her platform to share her learnings about the Inuit culture.

Stewart Gonzales, who carries the traditional name Semplúyan, is a proud Two-Spirited Elder and member of the Squamish Nation with family connections to the Musqueam Nation. He was born and raised in North Vancouver and is a residential school survivor. After attending St. Paul’s Indian Day School from 1966 to 1968, Semplúyan then attended Sechelt Residential School from 1968 to 1971. Through personal narrative, Semplúyan will share his experiences as a residential school survivor and his journey of healing to help us understand reconciliation and our shared history. He has dedicated much time to working with and empowering Indigenous youth through sharing culture and language from his Squamish Nation community. He is also a role model to other two-spirited men and those in recovery. Semplúyan was elected as a General Councillor for the Squamish Nation during the September 2021 election.

Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation. He has written three fiction titles, and his short stories and essays have been published in numerous anthologies. His most recent novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow, was published in 2018 and became a national bestseller. His next novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, will be published in 2023.  

Salia Joseph is from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Snuneymuxw First Nation’s on her father’s side and is British and Jewish on her mothers. Salia is a graduate from the First Nations and Indigenous studies program from the University of British Columbia. Salia is a Squamish language learner and is the executive director of The Sníchim Foundation which is a Sḵwx̱wú7mes language and culture non-profit

Dr. Duke Redbird, Elder, Poet, Human Rights Activist, Educator, and Artist. With a legacy stretching back to the 1960s, he is a pillar of First Nations literature in Canada, and has practiced a number of art disciplines including poetry, painting, theatre, and film. He was a trailblazer throughout the 60's & 70's giving voice to Indigenous people at major institutions and folk festivals across the country. From 1994-2009, he was an arts & entertainment reporter for CITY TV in Toronto.