Presented by the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI)
Lisa Meeches, Indigenous Training Programs Advisor
Lisa Meeches is one of the most dynamic and respected producers in the film and television industry, and a proud Ojibway from Long Plain First Nation.
Lisa has produced numerous projects to critical acclaim and more than 180 hours of film and television content including The Sharing Circle, Ice Road Truckers, Tipi Tales, double Canadian Screen Award-winner Jack, Gemini award-winner Elijah, and double CSA winner We Were Children which is widely praised by residential school survivors for its power to heal, while general audiences have been moved by its accurate and truthful portrayal of the impacts of Canada’s colonial past.
As host of her shows The Sharing Circle and Taken, Lisa is a recognizable presence across Canada. In addition to hosting Taken, which was recently nominated for two CSAs and is currently in production on its fourth season, Lisa is also co-creator, executive producer and an episode director. She is also currently co-executive producer of the international hit series Burden of Truth (CBC, CW, Hulu, Universal UK).
Lisa has been the recipient of many local, regional and national awards for her exemplary contributions in culture, media and entrepreneurship. Among her numerous awards and nominations are the 2007 National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Media & Communication, 2009 YMCA-YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the area of Creative Communications, 2009 University of Manitoba’s Excellence in Aboriginal Business Leadership Award and Women in Film and Television 2009 Crystal Award for Mentorship. In 2017 Lisa was made a Member of the Order of Manitoba.
Lisa devotes considerable time to other causes and has been critical to the success of the Manito Ahbee Festival as its executive director. Lisa also sits on the national board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. True to her heritage, Lisa practices the customs of her faith and is a renowned champion fancy shawl dancer.
Kaya Wheeler, Program Manager
As manager of programs and development, Kaya works across many of NSI’s courses and helps run the day-to-day activities of CBC New Indigenous Voices, NSI New Northern Voices and NSI IndigiDocs.
Kaya graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a bachelor of arts in Indigenous Studies, and has been working within the Indigenous community in Winnipeg for more than 10 years. She has spent a large portion of this time working with Indigenous youth in many areas, including acting and storytelling for theatre. She has had experience both volunteering and working on film sets, and even had a small stint on the stage and in front of the camera.
Kaya is excited to be in a role that helps hone and amplify new and existing voices in the industry.
Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill, Coordinator
As Indigenous programs and administrative assistant, Sarah coordinates the day-to-day activities for NSI courses.
Sarah has extensive filmmaking experience, is dedicated to her craft and has made multiple short films which have screened at Canadian festivals. She also works with youth teaching film and creating stories, and serves as a production manager and producer with local film companies.
Sarah wears many hats. Prior to working with NSI she worked in film, healthcare, childcare and social media.
Associate faculty
Indigenous and life guidance
Colin Mousseau, Elder/Traditional Advisor
Dr. Winona Wheeler, Indigenous History
Producers
Brendon Sawatzky, Inferno Pictures
Jeff Newman, Nüman Films
Broadcasters
Cam Bennett, MTS
Stephanie Brown, CBC
Paul Barnsley, APTN
Nadia Gaudet, APTN
Shelley MacDougall, APTN
Directors
Gary Yates
Noah Erenberg
Tyson Caron
Ron Scott
Writers/story editors
Jordan Wheeler, Writer
Shereen Jerrett, Writer/director
DOP/cinematography
Andrew Forbes
Ben Stouffer
Shauna Townley
Other industry resources
Anita Lubosch, Sound Technician
Taavo Soodor, Production Designer
Julie Hackett, Film Editor
Monique Perro, City of Winnipeg
Liz Hover, National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI)
Louise O’Brien-Moran, Manitoba Film & Music
Craig Aftanas, William F. White
Darcy Fehr, Actor
Rosanna Deerchild, CBC Radio – Unreserved
Andrew George, Filmmaker
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CBC New Indigenous Voices is funded by Title, Presenting and Tuition Sponsor CBC; Program Partners Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage, the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD) and Telefilm Canada; NSI Indigenous Training Programs Partner Directors Guild of Canada (DGC); Supporting Sponsors Corus Entertainment, Super Channel and CBC Gem; Provincial Sponsor Manitoba Film & Music; Industry Supporters IATSE Local 856 and imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival; and Service Sponsors William F. White and iSplice Films. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.
