Louise McKay
Elder
Louise is a traditional Elder and proud descendant of the historic Métis of the Red River Settlement in Manitoba.
She serves as Elder for the CBC New Indigenous Voices program, offering cultural guidance and support to emerging Indigenous storytellers.
With a background in psychology, justice and social work, Louise has spent decades working in child welfare, education, justice and community healing.
Her approach is rooted in kindness, humour and a deep belief in the power of shared gifts to create balance and meaningful change.
Vanessa Loewen
Program Advisor
Vanessa is a proud Manitoba Métis with matrilineal roots in the Hallett and Pruden families of the Red River settlements.
She has produced and directed over 100 hours of original and captivating programming that reflects Indigenous Peoples. Annual production highlights include Indigenous Day Live and Remembering The Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The 2024 broadcast of Remembering the Children also marked her first foray into truck producing, a role she looks forward to continuing in 2025.
In the spring of 2025, she is excited to have been welcomed as a producer for the fourth season of the Crave/CTV Comedy hit Acting Good. She will also be directing a new reality dating series for APTN featuring Kairyn Potts and Scott Wabano from The Real Rank Podcast.
Vanessa is also committed to training and capacity building in the Indigenous production sector. Early on, she collaborated on program development with the National Screen Institute for the New Voices Program for Indigenous creators, where she oversaw the early years of the program.
She is thrilled to be returning to the CBC New Indigenous Voices team in 2025 as the program advisor.
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.
Dion Telesky
Program Coordinator
As program coordinator for CBC New Indigenous Voices, Dion Telesky supports the organization and delivery of training, assists with participant activities and helps manage day-to-day program logistics.
Dion was born and raised on Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg, Manitoba). He is Métis, queer and neurodivergent and is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where people feel safe and empowered to show up as their authentic selves.
He is also a filmmaker and a proud graduate of CBC New Indigenous Voices. During his time in the program, he directed a short film, The Floor, that was nominated for best music video at the 2011 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards and later won best Manitoba short film at the 2013 Gimli International Film Festival.
Dion has worked in various industries and has built a strong foundation in project coordination by developing workflows, managing complex schedules and guiding projects through both logistical and human challenges.
Outside his work with the National Screen Institute, Dion runs a freelance web design business, helping people create inclusive websites that reflect their expertise, story and values. When he’s not working, he enjoys home makeover projects, live local music and spending time with friends and family.
Meet the students
Kerri-Ann Bear
Edmonton, Alberta
Read bio Kerri-Ann Bear
Edmonton, Alberta
Kerri-Ann Bear is an aspiring filmmaker and director.
She studied film at the University of Alberta and had the amazing opportunity to learn from the inspirational Dr. Tasha Hubbard.
Kerri’s goals are to make horror television series with Indigenous actors and fill the crews with Indigenous workers. She also hopes to tell stories of our resilience and strength in hopes to empower Indigenous youth and herself in her daily life.
She believes coming together as people and working towards a better representation of ourselves on the screen and media will break the stereotypes we struggle with. She believes in the right to tell our own stories and not having stories told about us from a non-Indigenous perspective.
Mya Coutu
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bio Mya Coutu
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Mya Coutu is an Indigenous filmmaker with a passion for bringing laughter to the screen.
Her love of filmmaking began in high school, where she spent her free time creating skits with friends.
She earned dual diplomas from Technical Vocational High School’s Broadcasting Media Arts program. She pursued further education at Confederation College’s two-year film production program in Thunder Bay, Ontario, forming lasting creative connections across Canada.
In 2024, Mya was accepted into IATSE 669’s Camera Trainee Program, gaining hands-on experience on professional film sets across Winnipeg.
Mya aims to create hilarious, heartfelt comedy shorts and films that reflect her unique voice and culture. Through sharp wit, quirky characters and clever visual gags, she crafts entertaining, thought-provoking stories.
Deeply inspired by her Red River Métis heritage and family ties to St. Laurent, Manitoba, Mya specializes in character-driven comedies that blend humour with authentic Indigenous perspectives.
Jeromy Desjarlais
Lestock, Saskatchewan
Read bio Jeromy Desjarlais
Lestock, Saskatchewan
Jeromy Desjarlais owns No Budget Films, a video production company created to tell Indigenous stories. His goal is to create an all-Indigenous film crew and film the stories that speak to Indigenous people to heal and overcome while showing the rest of the people who we are.
Jeromy is a self-taught producer, director, cinematographer, drone operator and editor who self-funds his productions.
Jeromy has been making films for three years. During this time, his films have screened and been official selections in many film festivals.
Jeromy is an entrepreneur who enjoys creating things and taking on new challenges to accomplish his goals.
Garret Gunning
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bio Garret Gunning
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Garret Gunning, a Red River Métis filmmaker from Winnipeg, brings a unique lens to storytelling.
With recent hands-on experience at the Winnipeg Indigenous Filmmakers Collective, he’s honed his skills both in front of and behind the camera as an actor, director, camera person and editor.
Garret is deeply passionate about factual works and archival research, particularly when exploring family history, mental health and LGBTQ+ narratives.
He aims to uncover and share untold stories, and is exploring how AI tools can assist in bringing these hidden histories to broader audiences.
Zoe Krzuk
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bio Zoe Krzuk
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Zoe Krzuk is a Red River Métis camera operator from Manitoba.
They attended the Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre as a broadcasting student, which is where began their career as a camera operator in 2021. They have worked for some notable organizations since then.
They have recently been a cinematographer for various music videos and short films and are excited to venture further into Canada’s ever growing film industry to explore all it has to offer.
Julianna Peter Paul
Red Bank, New Brunswick
Read bio Julianna Peter Paul
Red Bank, New Brunswick
Julianna Peter Paul, a proud Mi’kmaw from Metepenagiag, is dedicated to Indigenous rights, education and cultural preservation.
She blends cybersecurity expertise with advocacy, serving as networking coordinator for the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance.
Pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work, she engages in youth leadership, storytelling, and podcasting to empower Two-Spirit individuals and foster community resilience.
John Seymour
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bio John Seymour
Winnipeg, Manitoba
John Seymour is an Ojibwe-Cree creative from Winnipeg, MB, and a band member of Peguis First Nation.
A multidisciplinary artist and professional, his work spans acting, writing, directing, producing, editing and trademark law. His artistic journey began at Nor’West Community Centre, nurturing a passion for storytelling that continues to shape his work today.
John’s filmography includes appearances in the award-winning short films Unless You Have Been There and Don’t Look @ Me, the feature Aberdeen, and the TV series Acting Good. His directorial debut, Stay Awhile, created through the Skodoodisden Project, has screened at prestigious festivals and events
Currently, he serves as program manager for the Winnipeg Indigenous Filmmakers Collective (WIFC), leading initiatives that uplift and empower Indigenous storytellers.
Most recently, he oversaw the Skodoodisden Project with his WIFC colleagues, which supported the production of nearly 40 short films by Indigenous filmmakers and fostered a vibrant, collaborative creative community.
Joseph Smith
Tagish, Yukon
Read bio Joseph Smith
Tagish, Yukon
Joseph Smith (Kleeth’Ooush) is a Tlingit filmmaker, storyteller and entrepreneur from Tagish, Yukon.
He has worked on film and television productions across the Yukon, gaining experience as a production assistant, videographer and editor.
With a passion for visual storytelling, Joseph creates work that blends traditional knowledge with contemporary media to reflect the strength and resilience of Indigenous communities.
As the founder of Restless Native Productions, he develops independent film, music and digital content rooted in lived experience and cultural identity. His entrepreneurial spirit drives him to use storytelling as a form of expression and to create positive change.
Joseph’s work is guided by authenticity, cultural pride and a desire to uplift voices that are often underrepresented.
Through the CBC New Indigenous Voices program, he hopes to refine his filmmaking craft, expand his creative network and continue building meaningful, impactful stories that speak to the heart of his community and beyond.
Junior Whitefish
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bio Junior Whitefish
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Junior Whitefish has been working for the past two years in film, short films and commercial work.
From James Smith Cree Nation, Junior has been featured in multiple roles and worked as a writer and various roles behind the camera.
Junior loves spending time with his family and friends as well as playing video games and enjoying anime and manga.
He has acted in 10 smaller roles, including speaking parts in the feature film LEVERS and a PSA for Siloam Mission now airing on local television.
He was also a participant in Spirit of the Story, a year-long, twice a week Indigenous youth filmmaking and media program.
Junior is passionate about storytelling and hopes to make media / films that will inspire, and bring pride to, his community, family and friends.
Megan Wood
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Read bio Megan Wood
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Megan Wood is an Indigenous student at the University of Winnipeg where she minors in film.
She developed a love for writing when she took a screenwriting class in her second year of university. She enjoys telling fictional and non-fictional stories.
The idea of her stories someday reaching the small or big screen and being able to inform the public about factual stories inspired her further to pursue a career in writing.
Alumni
- Kieran Aho – Winnipeg, MB
- Spencer Blyan – Red Deer, AB
- Viola Cameron – Winnipeg, MB
- Stacy Flett – Winnipeg, MB
- Julia Ross – Winnipeg, MB
- Matthew Shoup – Winnipeg, MB
- Talon Simon – Elsipogtog First Nation, NB
- Amanda Wandler – Kamloops, BC
- Jerry Wolf – Woodstock, ON
- Kane Wood, Winnipeg, MB
- 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
Program Partners
