Learning Opportunities

Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes
Nehiyaw Iskwao (Cree Woman), Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Treaty 6 Saskatchewan, Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Medicine Wheel Teachings, Indigenous Storyteller, BA Communications, BA Canadian Native Studies, Canadian Air Force Veteran Corporal.

Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes’s ceremonially gifted Cree name translates to “Healing Woman Who Walks Far”, and she has resided in Calgary, Treaty 7, Alberta, since 1993.  

Cheryle has been an Indigenous activist within Calgary and area for the past decade, speaking, marching, singing and drumming for women, MMIWG2S/Sisters in Spirit/Justice for Jackie Crazybull, Indigenous Justice, championing the environment and equality, and speaking up for those who cannot.  Cheryle retired as Administrative Coordinator at the Native Centre at the University of Calgary; she was former Leader of the Green Party of Alberta (2018-2019).  Recognized as a Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Cheryle provides service sharing Indigenous protocol, Territorial Acknowledgements, cultural teachings and stories, prayers and ceremony (upon request).  She is a member of the Storytellers of Canada and Storytelling Alberta as an Indigenous storyteller and performer.  Cheryle is mother of two and “Kokum” (grandmother) to four beautiful grandchildren.  

kaiyiitsapaomahka moving on air
Raymond ManyBears
niitsitapi Traditional Spiritual Elder for the Sacred Societies, Weasel Tribe

Raymond is a much respected Elder of the Kainai Nationof the Blackfoot Confederacy in Southern Alberta. He is a knowledge-carrier of his people’s history, land, cultures, and dances. He is a grandfather of a centuries-old sacred Sundance, the sole survivor of its kind. Raymond is teacher in the most traditional sense and educates his people according to protocol and the way he had been taught from his grandfather Mokakin, a very wise medicine man. Mokakin also taught Raymond how to pick and use native plants; this ancestral knowledge formed the base for Raymond’s other horticultural studies. Raymond holds a repertoire of both new and old sacred songs used in ceremony. He knows the dances of the old ways and is very much a storyteller of Blackfoot knowledge, legends and mythology. He is much sought after as a cultural consultant. He has worked with a number of different artists and filmmakers, helping them to represent the history and culture of this land in a good way, and helping to build bridges between Indigenous, settler, and immigrant communities.

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Greta ManyBears
niitsitapi Elder, Knowledge Keeper, Skilled Craftsperson of Traditional Musical Instruments and Beadwork

Greta is a well-known, respected artist and member of the Blood Reserve, Kainai Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy, and is partner to Raymond Many Bears. Her parents are the late Dan and Ada Weasel Moccasin, who passed on to Greta traditional cultural knowledge about many things, including how to cultivate, harvest, and use native plants.

From her father she learned how to make raw hide for drums; from her mother she learned beading. Greta is now an internationally recognized artisan whose beadwork has been displayed internationally. She also makes rattles, drums, moccasins, skirts, smudge boxes, and many other traditional crafts. She sang with Old Agency Jr; was a fancy shawl dancer; has transcribed Blackfoot stories; and taught the making of white buckskin from a deer hide; her culture lives in her in ways too many to name. She generously shares her knowledge, skills, and presence with the larger community as well as with her three sons, two daughters, six grandsons and three granddaughters.

Morag Northey
’We are the Land,’ Producer, Co-Director, Composer, Voice and Cello, iiststii’ik Executive Director & Producer, Morag Productions Owner, Teacher, Sound Designer Mmus, Bmus, AA

Morag (she/her) comes to this project as a multi-disciplinary artist and producer.

Her work, regardless of medium, digs deep, moving and transforming lives. Spirit, community, and healing have always been central to Morag. As a cellist, composer and writer, she has offered healing through music in sacred spaces and nature, including all along the Francés pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago.

Morag is of Scottish and Welsh ancestry, was born on the land of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and raised on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish people. She is honoured to have lived her last thirty years on Treaty 7 land. 

Max Chu
Videographer, Editor and Co-Director, Production Co-ordinator 

Winona Maxine Chu (she/her), born on Treaty 7 land (also known as Calgary, Alberta), began her art career in the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit (Toronto, Ontario), where she resides today. 

Maxine seeks inspiration from the social environment that surrounds her and targets to make her art accessible and relatable to those within her own demographic. 

Maxine is typically found behind the camera in both photoshoots and film productions.

Whether it be taking portraits or directing a film, what is most important to her is the connection between fellow artists and the genuine expression behind the work. By drawing upon the experiences from her everyday life, she creates a sense of comforting familiarity while exposing some uncomfortable truths to what it's like to be alive.

Amelia Northey-Taylor
Sound Designer, Music Producer, Vocal Effects and Production Assistant, BMus

Born and raised on Treaty 7 Land,  Amelia is a cross disciplinary musician, composer, producer and soundscape designer. She is a graduate from the Humber College music program and a current resident on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca and the Mississaugas of the Credit.   Amelia’s work focuses on life through the lens of a Queer Gen-z and aims to cultivate a safe creative space for BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ peoples. Her works focus on keying into a sense of the familiar all the while transcending the listeners physical space. The gift of connecting with others is amplified by listening, driving her to cultivate new and experimental pathways forward and towards community. 

Carmen Pelletier
Multi Media Filmmaker, Artist

Carmen is a four time Governor General nominated multi-media filmmaker and artist with her primary focus being the creation of rural Alberta history legacy films.  Carmen is dedicated to this memorial work as each legacy film contributes to the understanding of generations to come.  Carmen is deeply connected to the Southern Alberta community and played a critical role in the start up the first Canadian community online television channel. Through vTV,  the SODA (Speaking Out for Disabled Actively) channel emerged.  Created by Carmen, the locally run and operated SODA mission is to provide the best possible circumstances and care for individuals in an equal opportunity environment.  Giving back to the community, the same non-profit group expanded to offer a much needed voice through its videos for the Bow Valley Ranche Historical Society in the very special  Fish Creek Provincial Park.  Videos included in this community initiative are:  “The Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Alberta - Alberta History Quiz Show,” S.T.A.N.D, 5 Elements, Fast and Female, and Histories and Hero’s. Carmen’s origins are equally Latin and Dutch and this self-proclaimed feisty ‘5 Foot Woman’ was recently honoured as a finalist for the ‘Universal Woman of Inspiration’ 2021 award.