ShoShona Kish is an Anishinaabekwe community organizer, producer, activist, songwriter and two-time JUNO award-winning touring artist. ShoShona was awarded the ‘Spirit of Folk Award’ at the International Folk Awards in Kansas City and was recognized by the Berlin based WOMEX organization for her work internationally with the prestigious ‘Professional Excellence Award’, “for her role in the ongoing revolution of upheaving Indigenous communities and their culture – using the medium of music as an agent of change, to awaken our humanity and help us connect”.

ShoShona leads the multi-award-winning band Digging Roots, with her husband, Raven Kanatakta. Their music breaches categorization, seamlessly blending global and traditional Indigenous sounds with roots, blues and soul. ShoShona’s legacy is one of art, activism, and unwavering commitment to reshaping the music industry’s landscape.

https://www.diggingrootsmusic.com/

Instagram (ShoShona) 

Digging Roots:

A member of the Gitxsan First Nation, Cindy Blackstock is the Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and a professor at McGill University’s School of Social Work. She has over 30 years of experience working in child welfare and Indigenous children’s rights and has published on topics relating to reconciliation, Indigenous theory, First Nations child welfare, and human rights. A recipient of the SSHRC Gold Medal, Cindy worked with First Nations colleagues on a successful human rights challenge to Canada’s inequitable provision of child and family services and failure to implement Jordan’s Principle. This hard-fought litigation resulted in hundreds of thousands of services being provided to First Nations children, youth, and families.

Cindy is frequently sighted in the company of the Caring Society’s reconciliation Ambearrister, Spirit Bear, engaging children in meaningful actions to implement the TRC Calls to Action.

https://fncaringsociety.com/

Twitter CB: @cblackst

Twitter Caring Society: @caringsociety

Twitter Spirit Bear: @SpiritBear

Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson is Métis from Treaty 8 territory, currently living in Treaty 6. She is an Indigenous Fire Specialist with the National Fire Management Division at Parks Canada. Her research explores Indigenous fire stewardship, Indigenous wildland firefighters, wildfire evacuations, and Indigenous research methodology. Amy also co-hosts the Good Fire podcast, which looks at Indigenous fire use around the world. She recently co-authored the book “First Nations Wildfire Evacuations: A Guide for Communities and External Agencies” with Tara K. McGee and “Blazing the Trail: Celebrating Indigenous Fire Stewardship” with Indigenous colleagues.  She is a board member for the International Association of Wildland Fire and a member of the International Research Advisory Panel for Natural Hazards Research Australia.

Photo by Amber Bracken.

@ChristiansonAmy on Twitter

UBC Press | First Nations Wildfire Evacuations – A Guide for Communities and External Agencies, By Tara K. McGee, Amy Cardinal Christianson and First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership

Good Fire Podcast-YourForest (yourforestpodcast.com)

Alan Greyeyes serves as the Festival Director for the sākihiwē festival and provides artist and project management services to friends in the music industry. He also volunteers with the Polaris Music Prize board of directors; the RBC Convention Centre board of directors; and the Indigenous committees at the National Music Centre and the Winnipeg Folk Festival. In 2023, Alan received the Making a Difference award from the Winnipeg Arts Council and in 2020 he earned the Arts Award of Distinction from the Manitoba Arts Council. Alan is a member of Peguis First Nation.

Photo by Ella Greyeyes.

https://www.sakihiwe.ca/

https://twitter.com/alangreyeyes?lang=en

Mi’gmaq entrepreneur from Listuguj, Quebec. Victoria LaBillois owns Wejipeg Excavation Inc.  and co-owns Wejuseg Construction Inc. She has served both the First Nation and federal public service, working at the Band, regional, and national levels.  Victoria is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board. Victoria holds a BA in political science and an MBA both from the University of New Brunswick. She holds a contractor’s license from Régie du bâtiment du Québec. From 2020 to 2022, Victoria represented the National Indigenous Economic Development Board in the development of Canada’s first National Indigenous Economic Strategy. She also served as co-chair for a national Steering Committee with the Canadian Construction Association. She serves as a mentor to Indigenous women at the Coady Institute in Nova Scotia as well as a coach and role model in several leadership and capacity development programs.  Helping to build skills around managing money, Victoria teaches financial literacy to Indigenous youth.

https://www.wejuseg.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-labillois-mba-83908110/?originalSubdomain=ca

https://twitter.com/wejuseg?lang=en

Sandra Laronde is a visionary artist, director, choreographer, and leader renowned for her transformative contributions to the world of Indigenous performing arts. A proud member of the Teme-Augama Anishinaabe (People of the Deep Water), her creative journey is deeply rooted in her heritage. As the founder and artistic director of Red Sky Performance, Laronde has propelled Indigenous storytelling to global stages through innovative productions that blend contemporary dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. Her commitment to arts and cultural resurgence has earned numerous awards, recognizing her as a leader in Indigenous artistic expression. Laronde’s profound ability to merge tradition with innovation continues to inspire and redefine the boundaries of Indigenous performance, fostering cultural understanding and empowerment on an international scale.

https://www.redskyperformance.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Red-Sky-Performance

https://twitter.com/redskyperform

https://www.instagram.com/redskyperformance/

https://www.youtube.com/user/redskyperformance

Buffy Sainte-Marie, a cultural and musical icon, has left an enduring impact over her six-decade career. Her powerful voice and songwriting have inspired generations of musicians, activists and educators. Breaking free from past norms and industry constraints, she debuted with the groundbreaking album “It’s My Way!” in 1964. As a self-taught musician from childhood, Buffy’s inventive guitar tunings shaped her unique sound and influenced future artists. With degrees in Oriental Philosophy and Education, she gained recognition in New York’s Greenwich Village coffee houses before soaring to international fame. An innovator in digital art and electronic music in the late 1960s and 1970s, Buffy holds fifteen honorary degrees, including a Ph.D. in Fine Art. Through her vast catalogue of songs, like “Universal Soldier”, and her advocacy for education and Indigenous rights continue to inspire resilience amid challenges, securing her status as a songwriter great.

Photo by Matt Barnes.

https://buffysainte-marie.com/

https://www.instagram.com/buffystemarie/

https://www.facebook.com/BuffySainteMarie/

https://twitter.com/buffystemarie

Jordin Tootoo made history as the first Inuk player to be drafted by the NHL. Over his 13-year career, he played for the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and Chicago Blackhawks, banking 161 points, including 65 goals, in 723 career games. A true leader both on and off the ice, Tootoo has since become a vocal mental health advocate dedicated to giving back to his communities. He speaks to the power of creating a culture of inspired inclusivity and explores what real teamwork looks like, both at home and work.

https://www.instagram.com/jtootoo22/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/jtootoo22?lang=en

Ilona Verley is a Two-Spirit artist and performer, celebrated for making waves in the realm of drag and LGBTQ+ representation. Hailing from the Nlaka’pamux Nation, Verley’s vibrant and boundary-pushing presence on the reality TV show “Canada’s Drag Race” garnered widespread attention. With a flair for combining Indigenous culture, pop culture, and stunning fashion, they challenge norms and embrace fluidity in both gender and creativity. Beyond the spotlight, Ilona is a passionate advocate for Two-Spirit visibility, mental health awareness, and Indigenous rights. Through their artistry and advocacy, Ilona Verley continues to reshape narratives, inspiring countless individuals to embrace their authentic selves and celebrate their unique journeys.

https://www.instagram.com/ilonaverley/

Jared is a university student working towards becoming a teacher in remote northern communities. He has been helping to fight forest fires for 10 years all over Canada. Jared loves to speak to youth about his experiences and learning in the subject of trauma and psychology. He volunteers regularly with youth and enjoys singing and playing guitar. He works for the Anthropology department at Lakehead University and is currently training for a half marathon. Jared is the great-nephew of Chanie Wenjack, the 12-year-old boy whose death in 1966 sparked national attention and led to the first inquest into the treatment of children at residential schools.