TALKING EARTH - PERFORMANCE

BIINE ‘ KWE ELIJAH

Biine ‘Kwe is from the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Wolf Clan. She is a founding member of the contemporary singing group “Hatiyo” (The Good Voice). As an artist, Biine creates music in Oneida for performance but also to enrich language revitalization through song. Her previous work included song writing workshops for youth programming at the Oneida Community Centre. As the Youth Project Coordinator Biine had the opportunity to produce content for the Indigenous Higher Education Pathway program – Indigenous Storytelling. Which included developing video content and a singing circle for students enrolled in the course. She has had the opportunity to present at multiple events including vigils for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Residential School survivors, Stop The Framework: Ottawa, Powwow’s and many festivals in the Ontario region.

CANDACE SCOTT-MOORE

Candace Scott-Moore (Wilde) [Anishinaabe] is a graduate from the Centre for Indigenous Theatre. Selected career highlights include Producer of ImagineNative Film & Media Arts Festival Awards, Associate Producer and Head Talent Coordinator of the Indspire Awards, Artistic Associate of Planet IndigenUS, Host/Emcee at Message Stick Festival at the Sydney Opera House, Production Stage Manager for: Indigenous Arts Festival, Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto, Ontario Contact Showcases, Nuit Blanche, Aboriginal Pavilion at the Pan-Am Games, Tkaronto Music Festival, and Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival Virtual Edition.  Currently, Candace is creating projects with the Wiiwkwedong Arts Collective and the 50/50 Performing Arts Collective.

JONATHAN ELLIOTT

Jonathan Elliott is a Mohawk filmmaker from the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario. Since attending York University’s Film Production program, he has worked as a director and cinematographer on a variety of projects, including: Wild Archaeology (APTN TV series), Voices From Here (Historica Canada video series), Tsi Teyoto:te - Even in the Silence (Voices with Impact funded film, entirely in the Mohawk language), Along the Water's Edge (Taking it Global funded film), Taken Home (Toronto Arts Council funded film), Her Water Drum (imagineNATIVE commissioned film), and Blood Child (Blood in the Snow film festival). Jonathan’s award-winning body of work focuses on telling contemporary Indigenous stories that explore individuals’ complex relationships to their cultural identity, families and communities. His projects have been nationally broadcast on TV and screened at various film festivals internationally in New Zealand, Italy, Germany, Denmark, London, the United States and Canada. Some of these festivals include: imagineNATIVE, Vancouver International Film Festival, LA Skins Festival, Red Nation International Film Festival, Maoriland Film Festival, Art With Impact, etc.

ADRIAN DION HARJO

Adrian aka “A. Dion” Harjo is a Multi Award Winning “Jack of all Trades” when it comes to performing arts. He started singing powwow style when he was 7, Fancy Dancing at the age of 10, and began Hoop Dancing at the age of 12, all of which has taken him around the world numerous times to share his culture.

Adrian has even dabbled in the movie industry and has made appearances on films such as “Miss Missouri” and “Casino Jack”. Adrian’s production company, OvenBakedBeatz LLC, produces music for film, TV, radio, and live theatre. Still hitting the powwow trail, Adrian stands evenly in both worlds of traditional culture and modern music, with credits including a NAMMY (Native American Music Award), CANAB (Canadian Aboriginal Music Award), Grammy (2001) and a RIAA GOLD Certification (500,000 units sold worldwide).

LINDY KINOSHAMEG

A proud Odawa from the Pike clan, Lindy was raised in Wiikwemkoong Unceded First Nation on Manitoulin Island. Lindy has spent the last 10 years in Toronto, focusing his energy on Indigenous cultural awareness and breaking stereotypes through the arts. Always striving to practice new art-forms, this has led to a multitude of experiences: Visual arts projects, Healthy Living Program Coordinator, and Indigenous Radio Program Host, working his way up to Production-Stage Manager and Event Coordinator for a number of years, Indigenous dance and cultural workshop facilitation, and recently Community Engagement Facilitator at Young Peoples Theatre. Lindy's path has been carved out in part to his strong

ADRIANA FULOP

Adriana Fulop is a Slovakian born, award winning costume and fashion designer. In 1999 she moved to Toronto to pursue a carrier in fashion and costuming. In 2001 she started the Canadian Independent fashion label Plastik Wrap which led her into the costume design profession. In the last decade, Adriana has created costumes for many video and film productions, dancers, musicians, as well as; independent theaters and artists. Her client list includes Space Channel, APTN, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, Bralen Dance Theatre,  and many others. Adriana's main passion is creating. She embraces the challenge of designing any style required for the job at hand.

DONIKA STONEFISH

Donika Stonefish is Potawatomi and Lunaapew Suckerfish clan from Bkejwanong Unceeded Territory. Donika is a graduate from Western University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in First Nations Studies. During her time at Western, she was a member of the hand-drum group “Sisters of All Nations” sharing the stage with artists such as Canadian rapper Shad and Indigenous Artist Susan Aglukark. Donika’s other interests include event planning of large-scale events and lacrosse. Fun fact she was a trainer for the Legends Cup Champions Six Nations Tomahawks. She is very excited for the opportunity to work with the world-renowned Kaha:wi Dance Theatre.

CARLEY GALLANT-JENKINS

Carley Gallant-Jenkins is Cayuga Nation, Turtle clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Visual and Creative Art’s Advanced Diploma program.

Carley is currently Coordinating the fundraising campaign Save the Evidence at the Woodland Cultural Centre, which is a campaign to raise awareness and support for the restoration of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School, and to develop the building into an Interpreted Historic Site and Educational Resource.

Some of Carley’s achievements include curating the 2017 First Nations Art Exhibition, sitting on the jury for Ontario Arts Council’s Artists in Communities and Schools Projects in 2019, and giving the commencement address for the 2019 Sheridan College graduation. Carley is a current member of the Indigenous Education Council at Sheridan College and as a board member for the Willowbridge Community Services. Carley is a visual artist and beader. Her works have been exhibited at Woodland Cultural Centre’s, First Nations Art and her beading has been featured in a film production and magazine. Most recently she has been invited to participate in the Gord Downie Wenjack foundation education week and her artwork will be showcased in Harbourfront Centre’s upcoming Visual Arts Exhibition for Day of the Dead festival.