CBC New Indigenous Voices

Alyssa Isaac is Mi’gmaq from the First Nations community of Listuguj, Quebec.

Alyssa is currently living in Montreal, studying to get her bachelors of fine arts at Concordia University with a major in electroacoustics which includes sound design and recording.

Despite studying a very new and technology-based art, Alyssa is always trying to find ways of mixing it together with her Indigenous and Two-Spirit identity including inventing sound-design atmospheres using recordings from nature in the reservation of Listuguj as well as telling stories through sound and music.

Even though it can be difficult to stay in touch with one’s Indigenous roots while living in a city far from home, there are so many more opportunities she aims toward so that someday in the future, she can take everything she’s learned and bring it back to her reservation to hopefully educate and inspire the youth.

Broden Halcrow-Ducharme is a 26-year-old Cree man from Cross Lake First Nation, Manitoba.

Broden started his storytelling journey through the interactive media arts program at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, Manitoba, where he graduated with a two-year diploma in media specialization.

After graduation, Broden began working as a videographer and editor with Trident Films. He continued to develop his skills in multimedia and worked on many feature films including ‘Tis The Season To Be Merry (Hallmark) and he submitted his first short film to Gimli Film Festival in 2021. Since then, he decided to make the jump and permanently move to Winnipeg, Manitoba to continue furthering his career as a cinematographer, animator and web designer.

As someone who is eager to learn, Broden describes himself as a multi-passionate storyteller. There are so many stories that need to be told, and he is constantly looking for more ways to strengthen his skillsets, creative thinking and techniques. He is truly honoured and grateful to be selected for the CBC New Indigenous Voices program and looks forward to widening his horizons as an Indigenous storyteller.

Clay is a Métis, transgender man who was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Clay is an artist and designer with a special interest in textiles, fashion and creative writing. He is currently attending the University of Winnipeg working towards a bachelor of arts in theatre and film design.

When not studying or working, Clay is often found creating new works of art or binge-watching his favourite comfort shows. Clay has a passion for storytelling through many art forms and is excited to start this journey with the CBC New Indigenous Voices program.

Dwayne “Benji” Noon is from Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan.

Dwayne fell in love with the visual storytelling of movies and TV at a young age and knew it was what he wanted to do. However, as a young adult, due to a lack of resources and support for furthering his education in film, he felt his dream was over.

He spent most of his early adult years in and out of university and working jobs just to get by with no goals. It wasn’t until he went through the darkest moment in his life that he finally reached out for help with his depression. With support from his partner, therapy and getting in touch with his spirituality, he was able to dream again.

At the age of 32, Dwayne decided to attend Saskatchewan Polytechnic for media production. As father to an amazing daughter, his focus now is trying to tell visual stories for those voices who are not heard and to inspire the Indigenous youth to never stop dreaming.

Farrah is 21 years old and from Peguis First Nation in Manitoba.

Farrah grew up in Fisher River Cree Nation and Peguis First Nation and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2018 to attend post secondary where she studied film and Indigenous studies at the University of Winnipeg. 

As a Indigenous filmmaker, Farrah aspires to tell authentic stories told for and by Indigenous peoples. It is important to her that Indigenous people tell their stories and gain control over their narrative. She is excited to work through the CBC New Indigenous Voices program to connect with like-minded people and create and tell stories. 

Jesse is a Métis / Ojibwe artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Jesse developed a strong passion for acting early on and went on to train at Toronto Film School where he learned from industry professionals. From there he landed an agent and booked a few parts that gave him the confidence to pursue it fully.

Upon graduating, Jesse has stepped through many doors, he and his brother Kyle have travelled to over 50 communities across the country and the United States where they delivered film and acting workshops filled with confidence and self-esteem building methods. It was humbling and rewarding and always felt like they were making a difference with all the Indigenous youth they had the pleasure to teach.

He’s also a videographer / editor who learned from picking up the camera and teaching himself through online programs and YouTube. He’s filmed and captured two weddings, two business promos, a real estate video and over 50 content promos for both his brothers’ Indigenous outreach companies.

Now, Jesse is creating funny TikToks and has over 15,000 followers and counting! He’s been in some major television shows like Mohawk Girls (APTN), Skymed (Paramount) and Burden of Truth (CBC). He hopes to make a documentary, feature film and a TV series in the next four years.

Julianna Maggrah is a Mètis storyteller / writer from La Ronge, Saskatchewan.

Julianna began writing while unable to work due to illness and rediscovered her passion for TV and film.

After studying media arts production, she got a job with CTV and has written for The Northern Advocate, where she won an award.

Julianna plans to have a media company based in Prince Albert and La Ronge to bring more filming to the north and will offer training to northern youth.

Katherine Haynes is a young Métis and Anisinaabe woman born and raised in Treaty One Territory and the heart of the Métis nation in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Katherine is a recent high school graduate accredited with honours and a French immersion diploma. As part of her French immersion program, she attended a school trip to Quebec to learn about other French-speaking cultures in Canada. During her time in high school, she completed the broadcast media program at the Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre (ATC), granting her a vocational diploma. At ATC, she explored media such as radio, news and television, podcasts, documentaries and film.

Katherine grew up surrounded by her Métis culture her whole life and is very proud of her heritage. She has shown it by helping out with multiple community events for the Louis Riel Institute over the years which led her to eventually work as an interpreter at Riel House National Historic Site for the past three summers. As an interpreter, she worked with the public through on and offsite programming, educating them on not only the history of the Riel family, but also the history of the province of Manitoba which is so closely intertwined with Louis Riel.

Although immediately connecting with the broadcast media program at ATC, in-person classes only lasted six weeks until COVID-19 restrictions limited and closed many opportunities, ultimately ending the program online. With the National Screen Institute, Katherine hopes for a second chance to further her know-how and experience to eventually find her place within the industry and make a fulfilling career in it.

Kesha Tipewan is a Plains Cree digital creator, podcaster and entrepreneur from Treaty Six Territory, Witchekan Lake First Nation, Saskatchewan.

Kesha is a survivor of sexual abuse and a cycle breaker of intergenerational trauma.

She created a TikTok platform that focuses on healing from trauma, self-love, humour and awareness.

Kesha lives an alcohol-free lifestyle and is reconnecting with her Cree language. She shares her own personal experience through podcasting in hopes of encouraging other Indigenous people to rise, thrive and heal from their own trauma.