CBC New Indigenous Voices

July 2023

I am a multidisciplinary visual artist from northern British Columbia. My mediums are filmmaking, photography, painting and Indigenous artmaking through beading, sewing, drumming and traditional song and dance. I also enjoy being connected to my homelands through activities like fishing, hunting, hiking and snowshoeing.

My primary inspiration stems from my desire to share my culture with the world through diverse mediums of creation and traditional sustenance. I am currently pursuing my bachelor of visual arts at Emily Carr University. I was also recently hired as a research assistant for Tu’dese’cho Wholistic Indigenous Leadership Development (TWILD), in which I will be able to better research, practice and teach about my heritage.

I applied for the CBC New Indigenous Voices program to expand and explore filmmaking through Indigenous resources. This program has helped me meet aspiring industry professionals that are successful in their field. My expectation for this program is to learn and get resources within the film industry, a roadmap on what to do to get started and what roles are available for film plus hands-on learning with professionals and equipment.

[Eventually,] I would like to do documentary films, [and] also short films and/or possibly a feature film. I would like to explore the industry as a writer, cinematographer, director or producer. I would like to have a production company big enough to have Indigenous employees who need support along with a wide network of people that can help get projects going and would like to be involved.

My experience in the program has been good. I am grateful for the [other participants] and the program coordinators. It has been helpful having my son with me so I am not stressed about him being away from me or having him staying with family. He is always with me as a single parent and it was a blessing being accommodated to attend the five weeks of in-person training in Winnipeg.

I am looking forward to the internship, being able to work in the industry will be a great way to learn more about film. Vancouver is a well-known location for a wide variety of opportunities within the film industry.

About Alysha / Tahltan First Nation / British Columbia

Alysha Johnny Hawkins is an Indigenous multidisciplinary visual artist.

Her practice includes mediums like filmmaking, photography, painting and Indigenous artmaking through beading, sewing, drumming and traditional song and dance. She also enjoys being connected to her homelands through activities like fishing, hunting, hiking and snowshoeing.

Hawkins’ primary inspirations stems from her desire to share her culture with the world through diverse mediums of creation and traditional sustenance. She is currently pursuing her bachelor of visual arts at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

She has recently gained a position as a research assistant for Tu’dese’cho Wholistic Indigenous Leadership Development (TWILD), in which she will be able to better research, practice and teach about her heritage.

Asha Bear is Maliseet & M’ikmaq from Neqotkuk in New Brunswick.

She is an aspiring multimedia artist and enjoys storytelling through script writing, filmmaking and short story. Asha also creates beautiful beadwork in her spare time.

She recently completed a film certificate at the University of New Brunswick and has had her short stories shown at multiple film festivals. She is studying towards her master of education in counseling. She is so excited to be a part of this program. Woliwon.

Jacob ES Bird is a filmmaker.

John Luke is a Winnipeg based Inuk photographer.

His main focus is fine art photography, alongside a budding passion for film and cinematography. Recently graduating from Willis College, John continues to pursue further education in film, media and photography.

Editing and film are just a few things he plans to specialize in throughout his career. His passion for film and digital media is driven by a desire to tell stories, both his own and those of people he meets along the way.

July 2023

Tansi! I’m a Cree auntie from Fisher River Cree Nation. I love all forms of art, exploring, learning and trying new things in general. I love making connections and experiencing what the world has to offer. Skoden!

I am brand new to film, getting my first taste just earlier this year. I applied to the CBC New Indigenous Voices program because I wanted to keep the creative wheels turning. I just completed the Nu Media program a month prior and was eager to keep learning.

Covid has habitually made me more introverted. I invoke that “won’t speak unless spoken too” energy. But once you get me going, I’m just another weirdo. I have been most excited to meet other artists. It’s been fun exploring the city and hanging out with like-minded individuals. We’ll be parting ways soon, but I hope to collaborate in the future. We’ll see each other in the field, ay guys?

Right now, I think I want to get on set and gain some experience. I like the idea of set [decorations] and props, but my heart is set on getting behind the camera. I feel a bit far-off in that goal, but I’m happy to be opening the doors. There’s so much work that goes into film and so many jobs to be done. I’m excited to find out where I fit in the beautiful chaos of it all.

There’s much information to digest, in a very short amount of time. But I’ve gained valuable contacts and tons of helpful notes – I even have the start of what I was told to be a promising drama series.

This is just the beginning of what I know will be a very fulfilling career. Oh! What projects will I help come to life? From what I’ve seen so far, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. I only wish I [had] found this medium sooner. I hope to make films that bring out many emotions – I want to move people; to laugh, to cry, to love, and most importantly, to keep trying.

About Linsey / Fisher River Cree Nation / Manitoba

I’m Linsey Murdock, a Cree woman from Fisher River, Manitoba. I’ve been bumping into walls for most of my adult life, just biding my time. Not sure of myself or what I’m doing. Then, I found film.

I fell in love with everything about it. I love being in front and behind the camera, I love it all and I’m so excited to have found this medium. I want to do this for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to see what I can create and the people I’ll meet along the way. I’m just so excited to get started.

July 2023

I’m Anishinaabekwe from M’Chigeeng First Nation. I grew up in Sudbury and live in Ottawa. I studied journalism and documentary at the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College.

I’m inspired by the accomplished writers, artists and scholars from my home territory who keep our Anishinaabe cultures vibrant and engaging. I see myself involved in creative work that’s connected to our community, our stories and our lands.

I applied to the CBC New Indigenous Voices program because I wanted to learn from Indigenous people working in the film, TV and digital media industries. How did they get started? What were their challenges? What kinds of projects are they working on? How are they building full-time careers as creative people? I expect to come out of the program with connections to a professional network and information about the pathways to start working in this field.

The program is introducing us to experienced professionals who are open to sharing their hard-earned lessons, skills and stories. The process of creating a short film was an important exercise in collaboration and respecting our fellow students’ contributions and voices, while amplifying each other’s strengths and supporting our teammates in our learning and risk-taking.

I’m impressed with the Indigenous film industry in Winnipeg and the supports in Manitoba for the creative industries. I’m looking forward to my internship where I expect to see how different roles play out in a production. I’m also looking forward to meeting more local community members working in film, television and the arts.

My interests are in screenwriting, directing, editing, production coordination and management. In the next phases of the program and my career, I’ll be seeking out opportunities to work on set, and to work on and develop documentaries, short films or series, whether in my home territory in Northern Ontario or here in Manitoba.

Miigwetch to the National Screen Institute and the CBC for this incredible opportunity.

About Lisa / M’Chigeeng First Nation / Ontario

Lisa Abel is Anishinaabe Kwe and a citizen of M’Chigeeng, Ontario.

A graduate of the joint journalism program at the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College, as well as Algonquin’s post-graduate documentary production program, Lisa has a wide range of skills in audio / video production, photography, writing and editing – in both official languages.

Lisa has worked and volunteered with a number of organizations, including the Anishinabek News, CHUO 89.1FM. Gimaa Radio and l’Office national du film. She has collaborated on treaty education projects and residential school awareness, as well as promoting Indigenous cultural safety within the health care system.

A resident of Ottawa, Lisa hopes to return to her roots in Anishinabek territory to collaborate on creative projects that are based in our Indigenous community stories, histories, relationships, lands and languages. She is grateful to the National Screen Institute and CBC for the opportunity to participate in the New Indigenous Voices program in 2023.

July 2023

About Lucas / St. Laurent / Manitoba

I am Métis and grew up in St. Laurent, Manitoba.

Since I was young, I’ve had a passion for acting and film. After I graduated high school, I pursued and obtained an advanced bachelor of arts with a major in theatre and a minor in film at the University of Manitoba. I have worked on film sets, and I plan to do so for the rest of my life. I will jump at any opportunity that presents itself to further develop my knowledge and skillset on the art of filmmaking

July 2023

I am from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I am a mother, a storyteller and an adventure-seeker. Learning about the Indigenous people of the world, their traditions, history, culture, arts and knowledge is what I am most interested in at the moment.

I applied for CBC New Indigenous Voices because I want to create films as a writer, producer and director. Through this program I have not only learned the skills to do that, but I have also been given the opportunity to achieve that goal.

This goes beyond what I had initially thought I could gain from this program. I am looking forward to connecting with our mentors and classmates in the future.

About Renée / Sagkeeng First Nation / Manitoba

Renée is a storyteller, world traveller, mother and entrepreneur. She advocates for Indigenous youth and Indigenous community members.

July 2023

Born and raised in Winnipeg, I began my journey in the film world six years ago as a young 17-year-old. It all began with an introduction from the Winnipeg Film Group and I’ve been hooked ever since. My main fields of interest include cinematography, picture editing, screenwriting and stunt work.

I was first made aware of the CBC New Indigenous Voices program during my second year at the University of Winnipeg by my film professor Andrew Forbes [also a long-time faculty member of the National Screen Institute]. My first application was unsuccessful but when I was reminded of the program by my stepsister this year, I decided to reapply and this time I was accepted.

Since I’m nearly finished [with] my post-secondary education, I decided it’d be [the] perfect time to learn more about the intricacies of the film industry not covered by the university. I was not disappointed. The most valuable assets I received during my time in the program include completing on-set orientation and learning [about] the local organizations available, dedicated to developing careers of upcoming filmmakers.

What I’m most looking forward to in my remaining time in the program is the hands-on experience working on a short film from its development to production. What I’m excited about next is being sent over to my internship post-graduation.

After being a student for so long in university and other third-party programs, finally putting my skills to use will be a breath of fresh air. I’m hoping to be accepted into an internship for cinematography above all else. I see CBC New Indigenous Voices as a great program for aspiring Indigenous filmmakers to kickstart their careers. It’s certainly helped me on my journey, as well as many of my classmates.

I look forward to seeing which doors are opened for me due to my participation in the program.

About Sage / Berens River First Nation / Manitoba

I’ve been practicing film for nearly five years, getting my start by taking workshops which evolved into a mentorship with the Winnipeg Film Group back in 2018. I immediately recognized my potential and passion for film and have been working hard to further develop my skillset ever since.

I joined The University of Winnipeg and have taken a variety of workshops which have given me the opportunity to develop my first short films. Through these institutions, I realized a preference towards cinematography, editing and writing.

It was also through these institutions where I had the opportunity to network and become a part of different productions within the industry. Now with my post secondary education nearing its completion, it’s time to take another step forward to see where my developing career will move to next.