Jordan Wheeler
Writer
From the George Gordon First Nation, Jordan’s been writing professionally since 1982 and working in film and television since 1984.
Among his numerous writing credits are the books Digital Ogichida, Brothers In Arms and Just A Walk and as a scriptwriter and story editor the TV series Arctic Air, renegadepress.com and North of 60.
Jordan has been nominated for and won numerous awards including a scriptwriting Gemini in 2006 for an episode of renegadepress.com.
When not writing he teaches writing, scriptwriting, story edits, tells stories and plays golf. Born in Victoria in 1964, Jordan has two kids and three step kids. He lives in Winnipeg with his wife Kim.
Ursula Lawson
Senior Programs Manager
Ursula has been with the National Screen Institute since 2004 and is the senior programs manager.
She is currently working on the EAVE On Demand Access Program and NSI New Northern Voices. She also oversees the mentorship, development and delivery of projects for TELUS STORYHIVE.
In 2013 Ursula was honoured to receive the YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Circle of Inspiration Award along with colleagues Lisa Meeches and Melissa Kajpust for their contribution to CBC New Indigenous Voices. In 2019, Ursula was nominated for the Winnipeg Arts Council Making a Difference award which celebrates contributions to the growth and development of the arts in Winnipeg.
Instrumental in helping the National Screen Institute develop and deliver culturally sensitive film and television training to emerging Indigenous content creators, Ursula previously managed CBC New Indigenous Voices, NSI IndigiDocs and NSI Aboriginal Journalism. She coordinated NSI Global Marketing, NSI Totally Television, NSI Aboriginal Cultural Trade Initiative and NSI Pitch to Win! Ursula is also secretary to the NSI Board of Directors.
Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill
Manager, Programs & Development
As manager of programs and development, Sarah works across many of the National Screen Institute’s programs, helps run the day-to-day activities of CBC New Indigenous Voices and provides production and mentorship support for NSI New Northern Voices.
As program manager, Sarah works across many of the National Screen Institute’s programs, helps run the day-to-day activities of CBC New Indigenous Voices and provides production and mentorship support for NSI New Northern Voices.
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.
She is also co-chair of the board of directors for WNDX Festival of Moving Images and chair of Winnipeg Film Group.
Meet the students
Steven Bignell
Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB
Steven Bignell was born and raised in Opaskwayak Cree Nation in The Pas, Manitoba.
He is a local Indigenous artist who has been painting for the past 35 years and sold hundreds of original pieces. He has also been involved in cosplay costume making for the past 25 years.
Steven has a keen interest in film and has even had a few roles in productions such as Moccasin Flats, Beyond and extra work in Just Friends and Tideland.
In 2019, with a small crew and local talent, Steven worked on the short horror film Black Ice which premiered at Storytellers’ Film Festival in The Pas and received great reviews.
Steven is currently working on a series of short WW2 films about a Native Canadian soldier.
Stuart Matheson
The Pas, Manitoba
Stuart Matheson, 22, is a filmmaker from The Pas, Manitoba.
Born in Prince George, British Columbia and raised across Western Canada, he has had the opportunity to encounter a wide array of people and cultures that drive his desire to create stories.
Interested in film at a young age, Stuart created the internet horror series Ashes To Ashes.
Stuart participated in the NSI Business for Producers program to prepare him to serve as a producer on the short film project selected for production in the second edition of NSI New Northern Voices. He is an alumnus of the first edition of NSI New Northern Voices where he produced the short film Ni Mama (2020).
With a passion for producing, Stuart is looking forward to further developing his producing skills and hopes to produce in more projects in the future.
Alumni
Steven Bignell, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba
Rochelle Dyrkacz, The Pas, Manitoba
Ryan Goossen, Gillam, Manitoba
Stuart Matheson, The Pas, Manitoba
Rochelle Dyrkacz, The Pas, Manitoba
Hubert Lathlin, Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Stuart Matheson, The Pas, Manitoba
Tricia Bland, Thompson, Manitoba
Cherie Burns, Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Gabriel Constant, Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Steven Bignell, Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Andy Kematch, Mosakahiken Cree Nation
Program Partners
