Erica Daniels
Program Advisor
Cree/Ojibway filmmaker, Erica Daniels is an award-winning documentary director, producer, entrepreneur and a proud mother from Peguis First Nation.
Erica is the owner of Kejic Productions, sharing heart-centered stories that amplify Indigenous voices, while focusing upon healing, cultural revitalization, knowledge preservation and social change.
A Canadian Screen Award nominee and Golden Sheaf Award winner, Erica started her journey through a multimedia program called Just TV and is an alumna of the CBC New Indigenous Voices and NSI IndigiDocs programs. Erica is committed to uplifting Indigenous youth by helping them reclaim their cultural identity. She runs cultural programming through the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre and is the co-creator and facilitator of Spirit of the Story, a film training program for Indigenous youth.
Inspired by the resilience of her community and the beauty of her culture, Erica shares her gift of storytelling through filmmaking. She embraces the important role of sharing Indigenous history and culture and values the preservation of teachings shared by Elders in hopes to teach and inspire future generations.
Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill
Manager of Programs & Development
As manager of programs and development, Sarah works across many of the National Screen Institute’s programs and manages CBC New Indigenous Voices and the TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators.
Sarah is a multi-talented Indigenous woman, born and raised on Treaty 1 Territory, (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and registered to Long Plain First Nation. She is a filmmaker with extensive experience who is dedicated to her craft and has made multiple short films that have screened at North American festivals. She strives to create stories and to help others share their stories through the medium of filmmaking.
Sarah went from thinking filmmaking could only be a hobby to making it a full-time career for herself: as a production manager for various productions and working at the National Screen Institute.
Grace Bruinooge
Program Coordinator
Grace Bruinooge, of Métis heritage, is working toward a bachelor of arts majoring in communications and media and minoring in English.
She is passionate about storytelling and wants to develop a career in assisting others in sharing their unique perspectives through digital and traditional media.
As a storyteller herself, she is interested in writing, graphic design, audio and video production. Her various work experience has contributed to her knowledge in media production and she seeks out opportunities to advance this knowledge.
Grace is interested in interpersonal communication and peace and conflict transformation studies. She values the power that stories hold. In her free time, she works on her creative hobbies, enjoys the outdoors and spends time with her friends and family.
Meet the students
Amanda Wandler
Kamloops, British Columbia
Read bioAmanda Wandler
Kamloops, British Columbia
Amanda Wandler, a graduate from the University of British Columbia with a specialization in Aboriginal law, recently began a journey of transformation to pursue her passion for storytelling. She returned to university in 2022 to study creative writing and is set to graduate in spring 2024.
Her filmmaking story began back in high school where she filmed a silly short about an alien abduction at school. Last year, she filmed a documentary on the revival of traditional Indigenous tattooing in British Columbia.
In the realm of theatrical storytelling, Amanda’s talent shone with her sci-fi play, The Art Institute, which was produced at the beginning of April by an emerging producer and actors in Kamloops. Serving as an exploration of societal concerns, it examines themes of purpose, artificial intelligence and capitalism.
Amanda is driven to use storytelling as a platform for social change and aspires to delve deeper into filmmaking to tackle vital issues such as colonization, equality and identity. She envisions a future where Indigenous voices in film and TV are elevated. She dreams of one day reaching a large audience with her films.
Jerry Wolf
Woodstock, Ontario
Read bioJulia Ross
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bioJulia Ross
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Julia Ross is an aspiring director who is making the switch from theatre to filmmaking and digital media.
Though she worked as an actor for most of her life, she has also written, produced and directed plays. She produced An Indigenous Play at the 2023 Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival and has directed and assistant directed multiple plays at the University of Manitoba over the past four years.
Jules loves the creative process that goes into how stories are made and shared. She is building a bridge between theatre and film and will continue to bring stories to life while exploring different media.
She is excited to share her story and help others to share and realize theirs in a permanent and impactful way through storytelling and film.
Kane Wood
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bioKane Wood
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Kane Wood, an Oji-Cree from St. Theresa Point, Manitoba, is a two-spirited versatile multimedia artist.
Kane recently completed his studies in the performing arts production and industry program at Seven Oaks in Winnipeg. There, he honed his skills through internships at prominent organizations like Winnipeg Film Group, Video Pool Media Arts Centre and Eagle Vision Inc.
Inspired by witnessing professionals in action and the compelling narratives they brought to life, Kane’s passion for multimedia art flourished. This inspiration propelled him towards a career dedicated to the craft of visual storytelling.
Kieran Aho
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bioKieran Aho
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Kieran Aho is a filmmaker who is currently enrolled in the University of Winnipeg’s theatre and film program.
He enjoys a wide selection of creative mediums including photography, writing and playing the guitar. He loves film for its ability to incorporate and unite so many different mediums.
As a storyteller, Kieran is concerned with exploring our social psyche and the human condition from new and unique perspectives. He values honesty, creative ethics and the ability to pose uncomfortable questions.
Kieran strives to be intensely vulnerable in his work and it is his intention to leave a piece of himself in every project. He believes storytelling is how we connect with each other and how we find our identities.
Kieran has dipped his toes into film styles such as documentary, cinema verité, short film and satire. He is incredibly excited to build on his skill set and to continue to challenge himself as he takes on more projects.
Matthew Shoup
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bioMatthew Shoup
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Matthew Shoup is an emerging Métis-Canadian filmmaker from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
His award-winning short films have been screened internationally in regions such as North America, Africa and Europe, and have been featured by multiple publications.
Movies have always been a huge part of his life leading him down the filmmaking path at a young age. He creates both narrative and documentary films and loves experimenting with different forms of filmmaking.
One of his goals is to showcase significant and meaningful Métis representation in film and media. He has started working towards this goal with his documentary about the Michif French language. He is looking forward to his future in the industry.
Spencer Blyan
Red Deer, Alberta
Read bioSpencer Blyan
Red Deer, Alberta
Hello/Tansi. Spencer Cole Blyan is from a Métis settlement in Alberta [and] his home [is] Kikino. He was “born Cree but walking Métis.”
When he was a young boy, he spent hours and nights in the forest playing make believe, creating his own worlds and stories. He knew he wanted to do more with his stories and imagination, and he knew the next step was to pursue film school.
Spencer started acting in his high school theatre class. That brought out his passion for being creative and performing for an audience. In searching for other outlets for his creativity, he decided to go to college to learn more about himself, his craft and work on becoming a better writer and artist. Storytelling runs in Spencer’s family. He is the voice that speaks for the rest of his bloodline to share their beautiful stories and bring them to life with scripts and visual storytelling.
He recently graduated from Red Deer Polytechnic with a four-year degree in film production. The experience taught him the importance of behind-the-scenes work in film and television. He learned about producing, directing, writing and roles including grip.
Spencer is grateful for the summers he spent in his home settlement of Kikino with Tantoo Cardinal’s Tap Root Actors Academy. He was able to help teach the youth in his community the world of filmmaking and acting. Now, the youth of Kikino have a safe space to share their stories and experiences through visual storytelling and creative writing, a humbling experience as he always wanted to help the youth and give back to the community.
Spencer will always be a strong voice and seek to tell true, authentic stories from the mind of a Métis man from a Métis settlement. He will let the youth know there’s a big world full of endless possibilities outside their backyard.
Stacy Flett
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bioStacy Flett
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Stacy Flett’s first experience in filmmaking was making a short film with some of her background actor peers. Stacy enjoyed the preparation that went into it, including meetings about who would fill the behind-the-scenes roles, filming dates and locations. Stacy was a sound person, which she found challenging because of her hearing issue and it was a new experience, but she got the job done. Stacy found it exciting to see the scenes she shot on the screen. She also did some directing, which ended up being the part she enjoyed most.
Being a casting director as part of the Winnipeg Indigenous Filmmakers Collective (WIFC) Skodoodisden Project and gaining comfort from her work with the crew helped her to enjoy this new experience and realize that she wanted to pursue filmmaking as a career. In the WIFC, Stacy does a lot of acting and helping with setting up short scenes / trailers, etc.
Stacy wants to learn everything she can about filmmaking in hopes of telling her own stories from the north, especially, but also in the city. Stacy is a hard worker with strong storytelling and improv skills. As an Indigenous woman, it is important to Stacy to be a role model for her people, especially women. She believes that anything is possible and, in this program, she is hoping to learn as much as she can to achieve her dreams.
Talon Simon
Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick
Read bioTalon Simon
Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick
Talon Simon is a 25-year-old Mi’kmaq and Mohawk multimedia artist and entrepreneur from Elsipogtog First Nation.
Talon started making short videos for his friends and family on Facebook in 2012 and, since 2014, he has been using YouTube to make skits with friends and short video essays for school.
He worked for the digital Mi’kmaq language resource program Language Keeper Productions in 2019 as a creative director and video editor. In nearly all aspects of his creative work, including as a storyteller, Talon infuses the Mi’kmaq and Indigenous humour that surrounded him in his upbringing.
He aspires to adapt the many traditional stories he was told by his grandmother, aunts and uncles into modern forms of media while also staying rooted in the Mi’kmaq language and forms of storytelling.
Viola Bushie
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bioViola Bushie
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Viola always strives for a safe and spiritual environment. She works towards bettering her work and others if they need / want help, always trying to make sure that everyone is at their best when it comes to what they are passionate about.
It is important to to Viola not to undermine others knowing that they could have new angles that she would not have thought of before.
Alumni
- Lisa Abel – M’Chigeeng First Nation, ON
- Asha Bear – Tobique First Nation, NB
- Lucas Boudreau – St. Laurent, MB
- Sage Boulanger-McLeod – Berens River First Nation, MB
- Renée Courchene – Sagkeeng First Nation, MB
- Jacob ES Bird – Black River First Nation, MB
- Alysha Johnny-Hawkins – Tahltan First Nation, BC
- John Luke – Kivalliq Region, MB
- Linsey Murdock – Fisher River Cree Nation, MB
- Broden Halcrow-Ducharme – Brandon, MB
- Katherine Haynes – Winnipeg, MB
- Alyssa Isaac – Lachine, QC
- Julianna Maggrah – Prince Albert, SK
- Farrah Murdock – Winnipeg, MB
- Clay Mykietowich – Winnipeg, MB
- Jesse Nobess – Winnipeg, MB
- Dwayne Noon – Saskatoon, SK
- Kesha Tipewan – Saskatoon, SK
- Desiree Brightnose – Chemawawin Cree Nation, MB
- Anonda Canadien – Deh Gáh Got’îê First Nation, NWT
- Aiyana Hart – Carry the Kettle First Nation, MB
- Jordan Kelly – Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, ON
- Brittany Monkman – Fisher River Cree Nation, MB
- Logan Nadeau – Norway House Cree Nation, MB
- Ariyah Pierre – Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation, MB
- Holly Smith – Six Nations Reserve, ON
- John Wapioke – Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation, MB
- Seth Arcand – Morinville, AB
- Sarah Carrier – Regina, SK
- Faith Gore – Winnipeg, MB
- Janell Henry – Winnipeg, MB
- Nathaniel Magbanua – Winnipeg, MB
- Matthew Tenute – Vancouver, BC
- AJ Wastasecoot – Winnipeg, MB
- Bethany Fontaine – Winnipeg, MB
- Isaac Kakegamic – Thunder Bay, ON
- Avery Kewistep – Saskatoon, SK
- Kane Kirton – Winnipeg, MB
- Chyann Maracle – Deseronto, ON
- André Nault – Winnipeg, MB
- Marissa Stevenson – Winnipeg, MB
- Celeste Sutherland – Winnipeg, MB
- Kale Swampy – Winnipeg, MB
- Daniel Bear – Winnipeg, MB
- Jon Berg – Burnaby, ON
- Adeline Bird – Winnipeg, MB
- Joe Courchene – Winnipeg, MB
- Damian Frazee – Winnipeg, MB
- Shauntelle George – Winnipeg, MB
- Rhonda Lucy – Toronto, ON
- Cynthia Murdock – Winnipeg, MB
- Diandre Thomas-Hart – Winnipeg, MB
- Michael Black – Winnipeg, MB
- Christopher Eastman – Winnipeg, MB
- Tyshana Hobson – Winnipeg, MB
- Alexis Leask – Winnipeg, MB
- Andrew Lown – Niagara, ON
- Gindalee Ouskun – Winnipeg, MB
- Jesse Spence – Winnipeg, MB
- Nikita Weiss Day – Vancouver, BC
- Ryan Wilson – Winnipeg, MB
- Shannon Bear – Winnipeg, MB
- Janelle Gossfeld – Thompson, MB
- Phoenix Campbell – Winnipeg, MB
- Cody Halcrow – Winnipeg, MB
- Zachary Harper – Winnipeg, MB
- Justin Kehler – Winnipeg, MB
- Olly King (aka Kenneth Burns) – Winnipeg, MB
- Norah Wagner – Winnipeg, MB
- Darcy Waite – Edmonton, AB
- Cody Blacksmith – Winnipeg, MB
- Matthew De Paz – Winnipeg, MB
- Vince Fontaine – Winnipeg, MB
- Frances Koncan – Winnipeg, MB
- Melissa Raven – Winnipeg, MB
- Kelsey Smoke – Winnipeg, MB
- Luther Alexander – Winnipeg, MB
- Sonya Ballantyne – Winnipeg, MB
- Jared Bone – Winnipeg, MB
- Gloria Burns – Ottawa, ON
- Joel Chartrand – Winnipeg, MB
- Sage Daniels – Winnipeg, MB
- Jaydon Flett – Winnipeg, MB
- Amanda Kindzierski – Winnipeg, MB
- Maggie Moose – Winnipeg, MB
- Chad Anderson – Winnipeg, MB
- Aubrie Bruyere – Winnipeg, MB
- Jordon Fish – Winnipeg, MB
- Andrew George – Winnipeg, MB
- Jamie Mckay – Winnipeg, MB
- Charlene Moore – Winnipeg, MB
- Randy Sutherland – Winnipeg, MB
- Tanner Trudzik – Winnipeg, MB
- Cheyenne Bruneau – Winnipeg, MB
- Rodney Contois – Winnipeg, MB
- Honey Courchene – Winnipeg, MB
- Dakota Eischen – Winnipeg, MB
- Jesse Frechette – Winnipeg, MB
- Deanna Mace – Winnipeg, MB
- Dennis Seenie – Winnipeg, MB
- Adam Wildeman – Winnipeg, MB
- Stanley Wood – Winnipeg, MB
- Christopher Bird – Winnipeg, MB
- Alison Campeau – Winnipeg, MB
- Anna-Celestrya Carr – Winnipeg, MB
- Kayla Hayden – Winnipeg, MB
- Justina Neepin – Winnipeg, MB
- Percy Ponniuk – Happy Valley, NL
- Vince Sanderson – Winnipeg, MB
- Earl Soldier – Winnipeg, MB
- Leonard Sumner – Winnipeg, MB
- Floyd Blackhorse – Calgary, AB
- Tyra Cox – Winnipeg, MB
- Erica Daniels – Winnipeg, MB
- Joey Ironstand – Winnipeg, MB
- Lief Palmi Johnson – Winnipeg, MB
- Jody Pacey – Winnipeg, MB
- Dion Telesky – Winnipeg, MB
- Colten Yuzicappi – Regina, SK
- Elliott Gordon-Nelson – Winnipeg, MB
- Leslie Brant – Winnipeg, MB
- Mario Ballantyne – Winnipeg, MB
- Theresa Stevenson – Winnipeg, MB
- April Seenie – Winnipeg, MB
- Dinae Robinson – Winnipeg, MB
- Trinity Bruce – Winnipeg, MB
- Dion Desjarlais – Winnipeg, MB
- Ashley Hirt – Winnipeg, MB
- Daniel Jebb – Winnipeg, MB
- Alanais Moar – Winnipeg, MB
- Fawnda Neckoway – Winnipeg, MB
- Jasmine Netsena – Yellowknife, NT
- Marjorie Roden – Winnipeg, MB
- Chantal Rondeau – Vancouver, BC
- Florence Spence – Winnipeg, MB
- Ed Turner – Winnipeg, MB
- Kerry Barber – Dawson City, YT
- Roger Boyer – Winnipeg, MB
- Candace Backfat – Siksika Nation, AB
- Clarence Fisher – Winnipeg, MB
- Chris Gabb – Winnipeg, MB
- Sheldon Greene – Winnipeg, MB
- Craig Guiboche – Winnipeg, MB
- Amanda Smart – Winnipeg, MB
- Brian Tuesday – Winnipeg, MB
- Sam Vint – Winnipeg, MB
- Angela Wandering Spirit – Winnipeg, MB
- Susan Solway – Siksika Nation, AB
- Brendon Campbell – Winnipeg, MB
- Dustin Courchene – Winnipeg, MB
- Crystal Greene – Winnipeg, MB
- Dustin Horrock – Winnipeg, MB
- Nicola Little – Winnipeg, MB
- Chris MacDonald – Winnipeg, MB
- Shannon Myran – Winnipeg, MB
- Ken Pangman – Winnipeg, MB
- Jason Parenteau – Winnipeg, MB
- Jeff Taylor – Winnipeg, MB
NSI Aboriginal Youth Pilot Project
- Tim Stevenson – Winnipeg, MB
- Paul Rabliauskas – Winnipeg, MB
- Peter Flamand – Winnipeg, MB
- Melanie Nepinak – Winnipeg, MB
- Jason Harper – Winnipeg, MB
- Pamela Vernaus – Winnipeg, MB
- Chris Thompson – Winnipeg, MB
- Cam Courchene – Winnipeg, MB
- Dwayne Bird – Winnipeg, MB
- Darryl Nepinak– Winnipeg, MB
- Janice Beaulieu-Roulette – Winnipeg, MB
- Lennie Davis – Winnipeg, MB