Workshops 2005

Jordan Wheeler: Of Cree, Ojibway, Assiniboine and European descent, Wheeler was born in Victoria and is a member of the Gordons First Nation. He's written fiction, children's lit', poetry, journalism and drama over the course of a writing career that began in 1982. In 1984, to help support his writing, Wheeler began working in the film and television industry in a variety of positions (P.A., locations, 2nd and 3rd A.D., Production Manager, Audio Recordist, Assistant Editor, etc.) He combined the two careers in 1989 by co-writing his first dramatic script for television, a half hour drama called Welcome Home Hero. For the past fifteen years Wheeler's focus has been writing and story editing for dramatic television. Some of his credits include renegadepress.com, Tipi Tales, The Longhouse Tales, Just A Walk, Brothers In Arms, The Rez', the Adventures of Shirley Holmes and North of 60.

Peter Strutt joined Telefilm Canada in May of 2001 as an Investment Analyst with a focus on the Aboriginal language Envelope of the Canadian Television Fund. His corporate experience is in international business development and public relations. He has a background in mechanical engineering and commerce.

Lisa McWilliams is Executive Director and Founder of the Mobile Film School, formerly Festival Coordinator of the Lake Placid Film Forum. She has worked with Teleduction Associates as Producer and Director of Development. Independently, Lisa has been associate producer, co-producer and executive producer for television documentaries and independent features airing on PBS, A&E, The History Channel, Bravo, Sundance Channel and HGTV, as well as overseas.

Mathew Strongeagle Though Mathew has just begun his acting career he has already played Native Americans such as Matthew Merasty in Moccasin Flats and in 2005 as Young Running Fox for Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Television mini-series Into the West. Mathew's interests also lie in dancing and music and he has recently formed a family band named Sound Check.

Landon Mantour At a relatively young age, Landon Montour is already building a diverse, respectable list of credits. Originally from the Kahnawake Mohawk Nation, he starred as Jonathan Bearclaw in Moccasin Flats and has portrayed characters in The Education of Little Tree, The Triangle of Steel, The Alley, and Le Roi Du Hashalega. Landon's background in dance also saw him tour with the "Keeper of the Eastern Door" Thunder Hawk Dancers, who have performed authentic traditional songs of the Kahnawake Mohawk Nation throughout North America.

Lesa Kirk began her career as a talent agent's assistant in 1986. She opened her own agency in 1989, Kirk Talent Agencies Inc. The agency has grown from a one woman show to becoming one of Canada's leading talent agencies, representing actors, directors, writers, cinematographers and producers. Lesa has a team of eight agents looking after a successful roster of talent and maintains an office in Los Angeles. Currently Lesa is developing a music publishing and producing division of Kirk Talent Agencies Inc.

Bette Chadwick has been casting feature films, mow's, television series for over twenty years. She was the casting director on The Outer Limits for seven seasons, Poltergeist for four seasons, Andromeda for three, plus Jeremiah and Twilight Zone. Before moving to Vancouver in the mid 90's, Bette was based in Calgary and Edmonton, working on many feature films such as Marie Anne, Loyalties, Unforgiven, Last of the Dogmen, and Legends of the Fall. She consulted on Dances with Wolves, was casting director on North of 60 and Lonesome Dove. She's had the opportunity to work with actors from all over the country and has a broad knowledge of Canada's talent pool. She is delighted to be able to share her knowlege with you!

Douglas Spotted Eagle is a giant in the video and audio industries, having received Grammy, Emmy, DuPont, Peabody, and many other awards. His music is heard in a wide range of films from Last Samurai to Star Wars-Ewok cartoons. Douglas can usually be found on the DMN, Sony and DVInfo.net forums as a moderator on subjects ranging from compositing to audio engineering. He also has won many awards for his documentaries, including Toubat: A Journey of the Native American Flute and The Way of the Powwow. His Azee' Choo'nii' is the first film produced in the Dine' language.

Richard Story is a writer/producer/director of Coast Salish and Kanaka-Hawaiian descent based in Toronto. He began his filmmaking career in 1980 and has written and directed two feature-length movies, Some Letters to a Young Poet (1993) and Echo Lake (2000). Richard's work has screened at film festivals throughout the world and has been sold to numerous Canadian broadcasters including TMN - The Movie Network, Superchannel and Vision TV. He has taught moviemaking courses at Ontario College of Art & Design and George Brown College and is author of the book The Portable Film School. Richard has served as Artistic Director for the imagineNative Film & Media Arts Festival and is the founder and president of the Society of Independent Digital Moviemakers.

Sonny Skyhawk is the founder of American Indians in Film and Television Advocacy Organization based in Los Angeles, California. As an actor he has done over 53 films and 37 televisions shows. He is from the Lakota Rose Bud Sioux Nation, in South Dakota.

Gerald Auger is the Chief Executive Officer of Soul 2 Soul Entertainment Inc., of which he is a co-owner. A production company designed to advance aboriginal status in mainstream society and debunk cultural stereotypes of his people. Through Soul 2 Soul Entertainment Inc., Auger will produce feature films, documentaries and docudramas and represent other aboriginal actors/models. He is currently producing a feature film and has a television series in development with one of Vancouver's seasoned executive producers.

Darryl Mork is the owner of Darryl Mork Talent Agency, an Edmonton based agency that represents lead and principal actors for television and feature film work in both Canada and the US. Darryl has fourteen years in actor management. Lead actors on projects such as Smallville, CSI, North of 60, Spin City, Geronimo, DaVinci's Inquest, Dreamkeeper, Grey Owl, American Outlaws, and Ginger Snaps.

Dakota House first came to audience's attention in the North of 60 television series as troubled teen TeeVee Tenia. Since 1992, Dakota has appeared in in over 11 films and guest starred on several television series including The X-Files. His latest film is called Dudley George, in which he plays the title character. Dakota travels Canada extensively presenting workshops in acting and facilitating motivational, empowerment and self-esteem workshops, as well as public appearances. Dakota has also published a children's book called Dancers in the Sky.