Cliff Cardinal is a writer and performer. His solo play HUFF was shortlisted for Amnesty International’s Freedom of Expression Award. His adaptation of WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S AS YOU LIKE IT and storyteller/songwriter cabaret CLIFF CARDINAL’S CBC SPECIAL are touring this year as is his band, CLIFF CARDINAL & THE SKY-LARKS, who are releasing their third album. He was born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, is the son of Canadian actress, Tantoo Cardinal and studied playwriting at the National Theatre School of Canada. Cardinal lives in Toronto with his wife, Sage Paul, artistic and executive director of Indigenous Fashion Arts. “It is an honor to serve our community and this movement and Indigenous Fashion Arts.”

Cris Derksen

Composer

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Juno nominated Cris Derksen is an Internationally respected Indigenous Cellist and Composer. Originally from Treaty 8 in Northern Alberta, she comes from NorthTall Cree Reserve on her father’s side and Mennonite homesteaders on her mother’s. Derksen’s composition strength lies in her diversity for all artistic fields including: Dance, Theatre, Film, Television, Animation, Fashion, Podcasts, Symphonic, Chamber, Choral, and Installations. She performs as soloist-composer for Symphonies and Chamber Orchestras across Canada and has been commissioned by the Calgary Philharmonic, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphony and Orchestre Metropolitan- Yannick Nézet-Séguin. In 2022 Derksen was the composer for the Canadian Pavilion for the World Expo in Dubai. Her work on the Podcast Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's by Connie Walker and Gimlet media won both a Pulitzer and Peabody. Upcoming engagements include Carnegie Hall, A collaboration with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and being the composer for the Canadian Pavilion for the World Expo in Osaka in 2025. Derksen is always up for the challenge of bringing an Indigenous perspective to all aspects of sonic storytelling.

Emily Jan

Set Designer

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Emily Jan (b. 1977, Los Angeles) is a Chinese-American artist, writer, and designer currently based in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ) / Edmonton, AB in Treaty 6 territory.

Recent exhibitions include Kali Yuga, Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba (Brandon, MB), le 10e Biennale national de sculpture contemporaine, (Trois Rivières, QC), Wild, Textile Museum of Canada and Let Me Take You There, Doris McCarthy Gallery (Toronto, ON), Hunter/Gatherer at the McIntosh Gallery at Western University (London, ON), and The World is Bound by Secret Knots at the Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Centre (Newport News, VA) and Galerie Art Mûr (Montreal, QC).

In 2023, Jan’s and artist Catherine Blackburn’s collaborative work Ancestor Dreamin’ was acquired by the MacKenzie Art Gallery through the generous support of the York Wilson Endowment Award from the Canada Council for the Arts. The piece is currently on tour with the exhibition Radical Stitch until 2025. In 2019, Jan was Art Director for Jeremy Dutcher’s first music video, Mehcinut.

Jan has written and illustrated three books, and contributed writing to catalogues for the PHI Foundation (formerly DHC/ART), the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA), and publications such as Contemporary HUM and esse : art + opinions.

She currently sits on the board of directors for Union House Arts Inc, Ktaqmkuk / Newfoundland.

Israel Garcia hails from Walpole Island (Bkejwanong) First Nation. With Ojibway and Mexican roots, and over 17 years in the hair industry. Drawing from his art background and two-spirit identity for strength and inspiration Israel has been able to carve out a niche for himself in the fashion community. A deep rooted foundation in traditional hair dressing, along with furthering education are cited as a driving force in the artists career. Creativity and self-expression through hair styling has been a life long fascination for Israel. Paired along side his sister, they have been able to bring to the forefront a entirely indigenous view on beauty, and representation to the table.

Melanie Egan is the Director of Craft & Design at Harbourfront Centre with over 30 years of experience in the field. She heads up Canada’s foremost artist-in-residency devoted to ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery and design. She curates exhibitions, organizes symposia and events, lectures, writes, mentors and advocates for craft and design in Canada and internationally.

She edited Crafting New Traditions: Canadian Innovators and Influences – published by the Canadian History Museum (2008), and has curated numerous exhibitions including: The View from Here – a critical response to Canada150 (2019); The Mind is the Hand is the Bomb that Blows: Anders Ruhwald (2018); Aberrant Tales: Lindsay Montgomery (2016); RE: Position – curated with Paul McClure for Toronto International Jewellery Festival (2013); Jeff Goodman Designs – co-curated with Alan C. Elder, for DesignTO, Craft Ontario gallery; Makes Sense on the Body – Studio Huddle Gallery, (2012) and STUFF: Ingenuity and Critique – Contemporary Danish Craft (2004) as part of Harbourfront Centre’s memorable SUPERDANISH Festival.

Sage Paul

Executive & Artistic Director

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Sage Paul is an urban Denesuliné woman based in Toronto and a member of English River First Nation. Her ethos centres family, sovereignty and resistance for balance. Sage is the Executive & Artistic Director of Indigenous Fashion Arts, which she also co-founded. She has been instrumental in establishing and leading projects for Indigenous artists working in fashion, craft and textiles through several projects with Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto, Inland, Ikea Canada, the International Fashion Showcase during London Fashion Week, Setsuné Indigenous Fashion Incubator, the Canadian Trade Commissions in South Africa and London, Artscape Launchpad and Canadian department store Simon’s. Sage has contributed to InStudio Magazine (Banff Centre for the Arts), Walker Reader (Walker Arts Centre) and TEDx Toronto and has provided consultation for Ryerson University, Urbani_T, Canadian Art and Fashion Awards, Harbourfront Centre and several others, including artists in the art and fashion sectors. Sage teaches the Contemporary Indigenous Fashion and Jewellery program at George Brown College, which she also developed. In 2019, Sage was nominated for the Premier’s Award in Creative Art and Design and was recognized as “… leading Canada’s Indigenous Fashion Movement” (En Route Magazine). Sage received the Design Exchange RBC Emerging Designer Award and was honoured by the Ontario Minister of the Status of Women as a trailblazing woman who is transforming Ontario. Sage likes to call herself a philosopher and artist. The ideas and process in the creation of her fashion and craft are catharsis of an urban Denesuline woman experience – resourceful, intentional and resilient. She up-cycles fabrics and incorporates natural materials like raw hide and antlers into her fashion, which has been exhibited in a few art and fashion shows. Sometimes she retails it too. But, creating is her favourite part.

Samay Arcentales Cajas is a Toronto-based queer Kichwa Mindalae, programmer, and digital media artist exploring human-land relations, new media dimensions of indigenous cosmology, and immersive art as a site of liberation. She comes from a lineage of Mindalaes who’ve travelled across borders with their handmade items, proudly uplifting their community. Her works have been shown at ImagineNATIVE, Xpace Cultural Centre, Tarragon Theatre, Prague Quadrennial, among others.

Steve Lucas is a highly acclaimed and award-winning theatrical set and lighting designer, projection designer, filmmaker, and mentor based in Ontario, Canada.

Steve's portfolio boasts over 500 productions across theatre, dance, opera, and performance art. His work has captivated audiences in 27 countries worldwide, including Canada, the United States, Europe, Scandinavia, Estonia, Russia, Australia, and Asia.

Steve's design extends beyond traditional theatre to the world of events, where he has made significant contributions. Notable projects include the site design for the 2014 Luminato Festival Hub, MOCCA Courtyard venues, and Thom Sokolvski’s Drive-thru Funhouse for Nuit Blanche 2012. His imaginative touch is also evident in his design and direction of performances for THE SHADOW BALL Halloween Galas at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Beyond his creative pursuits, Steve is passionate about mentorship, guiding students from institutions such as the University of Toronto, Sheridan, Humber, TMU, the National Theatre School of Canada and Black Theatre Workshop Montreal. He also mentored several proteges through the Theatre Ontario Professional training grant.

Steve's exceptional talent has earned him numerous awards, including four Dora Awards for his set and lighting designs. He has been nominated for prestigious awards such as the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, a Sterling Award nomination, and an impressive thirty-four Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations.

A Rez Kat from Walpole Island First Nations Bkejwanong Territory. Summer is an artist of many trades. Specializing in Professional Makeup, Photography, Digital Art, Stained Glass Art and Jewelry Making.

A recipient of several awards in makeup, which included a National Award for Best in Makeup, Summer has had the opportunity to work in a variety of avenues, ranging anywhere from working on sets with many of our popular television networks, to heading makeup teams for high fashion runway shows.

Amye Annett-Werner is a member of the Cayuga Nation, Wolf Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Ontario. Amye is a graduate of Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology’s Film and Television Production Program. She has worked in production for the Indspire Awards / Red Cloud Studios and Big Soul Productions. Amye worked as the Guest Services + Programming Coordinator for the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival and Secretariat for the Indspire Awards. Over the last several years, she has worked in her home community of Six Nations in both the social services and mental wellness fields. Amye likes to maintain and express her creativity through various mediums. In her spare time, Amye enjoys beading, reading, writing and spending time with her family.

Nicole is an experienced administrator, focused on operational efficiencies, strategy & project management fused with change management techniques to ensure a people-centric approach towards organizational effectiveness. She also loves giving back to her community and has volunteered extensively in understanding social issues and hopefully making an impact.

Amye Annett-Werner is a member of the Cayuga Nation, Wolf Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Ontario. Amye is a graduate of Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology’s Film and Television Production Program. She has worked in production for the Indspire Awards / Red Cloud Studios and Big Soul Productions. Amye worked as the Guest Services + Programming Coordinator for the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival and Secretariat for the Indspire Awards. Over the last several years, she has worked in her home community of Six Nations in both the social services and mental wellness fields. Amye likes to maintain and express her creativity through various mediums. In her spare time, Amye enjoys beading, reading, writing and spending time with her family.

Candace Scott-Moore (Wilde) [Anishinaabe – Ojibwe Potawatomi] is a graduate from the Centre for Indigenous Theatre and The Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity. Her Festival Producer and Project Manager roles have contributed to many successful events. With over 20 years of industry experience, selected career highlights include: Producer of Tkaronto Music Festival, imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival Awards, Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards; Associate Producer & Head Talent Coordinator of the Indspire Awards, Artistic Associate at Planet IndigenUs, Host/Emcee at Message Stick Festival at the Sydney Opera House. Production Stage Manager for Indigenous Arts Festival, Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto, IPAA’s InterTribal Gatherings, Ontario Contact Showcases, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, Nuit Blanche, Aboriginal Pavilion at the Pan-Am Games, Tkaronto Music Festival, and Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. Candace has a strong connection to culture and community. As an active volunteer within her community and the arts community, she is passionate about her work. Candace has served on the Board of Directors with the Centre for Indigenous Theatre, ImagineNative Film & Media Arts Festival, South Western International Film Festival, Kettle & Stony Point Pow-Wow Committee, & her local Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point Mino Bimaadiziwin Optimist Club. Candace continues to create projects with the Wiiwkwedong Arts Collective & the 50/50 Performing Arts Collective.

Christina is of European and Mi’kmaq ancestry and currently lives in Kettle & Stony Point First Nation.

For the past decade she has helped a range of businesses, from small start-ups to mid-sized corporations, achieve growth through financing and advisory services in her roles at BDC and RBC. She is passionate about offering her time to various non-profits that service the entrepreneurship and arts community. Since leaving the commercial finance sector, she has enjoyed serving as a Pow Wow Pitch mentor, and a strategic planning facilitator for the 50/50 Performing Arts Collective (TKMF) and the Latika:latuhue Media Center.

In August 2021 she co-founded Muse Production Company Inc with her partner Leigh George. Over the last year they have developed a body of work ranging from educational documentaries, a short horror film, several music videos, and a variety of corporate promotional reels.

Aside from their own creative productions, she has also been an Associate Producer for the CBC/APTN production of the 2023 Indspire Awards, the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival 2023, and has recently joined the Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival 2024 as a Production Coordinator.

Christina has Marketing Diploma from George Brown College and a Bachelor of Commerce from Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) with a specialization in entrepreneurship and strategy.

Gina Rim has over 15 years of diverse experience working and volunteering in the non-profit arts sector. Gina also volunteered and worked for various Film Festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival, Fantasia International Film Festival, Luminato Festival, etc, and most recently the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival as Guest Services Manager. She was the Guest Services Manager for the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival for 3 years and the Guest Services Coordinator for the 3rd Biennial Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival in 2022.

Gina studied English Literature, Sociology and Equity Studies at the University of Toronto which led her also to love being a programmer for the Toronto True Crimes Film Festival.

Leslie Kachena McCue is a member of the Mississaugas of Curve Lake First Nation, who has fought for Indigenous rights by breaking stereotypes and raising cultural awareness. Her work is driven by her past, her passion to educate, and the motivation to empower others. Leslie is a Traditional dancer, an Indigenous Knowledge Resource Teacher, and the Coordinator for the Royal Ontario Museum Youth Cabinet. Leslie is a Resident Artist Educator for the 2017-2019 seasons, and is a part of the Drama School Faculty at Young Peoples Theatre. She has a strong passion for supporting and promoting Indigenous artists through freelance in administration, tour management, fundraising, facilitation, and curation, with organizations such as: Chocolate Woman Collective and Kaha:wi Dance Theatre. Leslie has been asked to perform and speak at many venues including: The Vancouver Olympics Athletes Village and Pavilions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the Juno Beach Museum in France.

Liam Colbourne is a free-lance production and events consultant specializing in Fashion and The Arts. With over 10 years experience in the industry his goal has always been to connect the Artistic mediums together and represent Toronto & Canadian Designers, Artists and Businesses. Liam started his career in 2012 with Fashion Art Toronto and has since worked with hundreds of Designers and Artists throughout Toronto and the world.

Steen Starr has over a decade of Volunteer Coordinator experience, primarily with the Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Festival where she coordinated volunteers from 2009-2018. Steen LOVES volunteers and all the skills, dedication and enthusiasm they bring to the cultural life of Tkaronto, and is thrilled to be back with IFA 2024 after coordinating volunteers for the 2022 festival.

Steen is also a writer, performer and award-winning short filmmaker, with 10 awards to her credit from Canadian and international film festivals. She looks forward to creating new work after the excitement of coordinating volunteers for IFA 2024 is done! She lives in Tkaronto with her partner and their wee Chihuahua-Dachshund mix.

Damien Nelson

Publicist

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Damien Nelson is press agent with 15 years of experience in marketing and communications in the arts sector. As a press agent she works with imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, Warren Steven Scott, Telling Our Twisted Histories on CBC Podcasts, Toronto Fringe, Why Not Theatre’s RISER Toronto, Canadian Music Week, Driftwood Theatre, Comedy Records, ReelAbilities Film Festival, and more. She is also a producer for the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival.

Daniel St. Germaine

Account Director, A&C

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Daniel has a wealth of diverse experience that he brings to all his public relations work. He has a keen sense for what makes a good story and brings an energetic, creative approach. Daniel combines creativity with thoughtful, analytical insights about human behaviour gained both from academic research and an artist’s interest in what it means to be human.

Megan Judd

Account Manager, A&C

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Megan Judd has a diverse background in the world of marketing with over 8 years of experience in advertising, social and digital media, event marketing, and not-for-profit organizations. . Megan’s passion for marketing extends beyond strategy and metrics; her true joy lies in the art of storytelling. Her work reflects a unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking, where she integrates her love for the arts into her professional endeavours.

Outside of the office, Megan dedicates her free time to giving back to her community; she volunteers with local animal rescues to foster dogs, enjoys hiking with friends, and baking delicious treats with her family.

Robin Fisher

Marketing Coordinator

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Robin is thrilled to return as Marketing Coordinator for Indigenous Fashion Arts after fulfilling the role for the 2022 Festival. She was also the Runway Set Designer for the 2020 Festival. Robin’s extensive award-winning career as a set and costume designer for theatre, dance, and film has fostered her enthusiasm for creative collaboration and storytelling. She looks forward to this opportunity to be part of the IFA team once again.

Savanna Chiblow

Digital Strategy Advisor

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Savanna Chiblow is a 2Spirit Anishinaabe from Mississaugi First Nation with settler roots on her father’s side. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Journalism degree from Humber College and has close to ten years of experience working as a digital communications storyteller and community builder. Savanna is currently the Social Media and Digital Communications Manager at the Indigenous Screen Office and casually works on digital and web contracts. She currently sits on the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto board of directors and the George Brown College Indigenous Advisory Circle. Savanna has worked with notable organizations such as imagineNATIVE, TIFF, Miziwe Biik, Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival, Humber College, and the Oakville Public Library.

Signe Barlow

Director of Strategy, A&C

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Signe has worked in both the partnership and media relations disciplines, with a focus on civic-minded properties, not-for-profits, food and beverage, and hospitality brands. Prior to joining A&C, she cut her teeth developing arts-related planning and management projects for theatres, cultural organizations and municipalities. Signe has a BA with Honours in English and Theatre from Dalhousie University, from which she honed her ability to craft meaningful, moving brand narratives. Once a national-level competitive ice dancer, Signe spends her free time coaching aspiring skaters how to perform gracefully under pressure.

Kristy Inglese is Moose Cree from Moose Factory First Nation. She has worked with Indigenous Fashion Arts (IFWTO at the time) since 2020 as the Festival Assistant and then as Industry Coordinator. She is now the Industry Manager for Indigenous Fashion Arts. Kristy enjoys working in events and festival settings and hopes to one day start her own event planning company. In her spare time, she enjoys reading a good book (or five) and has been told to slow down as she will need to buy another bookshelf soon.

Ryan MacKenzie

Corporate Partnership & Brand Sponsorship Account Executive, A&C

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Ryan MacKenzie is a brand & corporate partnerships professional based in Toronto, Ontario. From his sports background, Ryan continues to bring all the aspects of athletics to his partnership’s role, stickhandling and managing a wide portfolio of partnerships day to day, ensuring defined success for each and every one. As a part of the A&C team, Ryan has been developing, managing and executing on the Indigenous Fashion Arts sponsorship strategy since early 2022, and continues to ensure that all components within are fully realized with care & precision.

Sabrina Maher is a writer, project manager and arts administrator who specializes in fundraising and strategic development for non-profit cultural organizations.

Before joining Indigenous Fashion Arts in January 2023, Sabrina managed fundraising for the Toronto Biennial of Art (2018-2021) and oversaw grants and sponsorships at the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (2016-2018). She has held a variety of roles - curatorial, archival and otherwise - at many of Toronto’s leading arts organizations including Art Metropole, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Art Museum at the University of Toronto.

Sabrina is a graduate from the Masters of Visual Studies in Curatorial Studies program at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape & Design in the University of Toronto. She completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art History from the University of Toronto.

Born and raised in Montréal (Tiohtià:ke), Sabrina spent many formative years in Peterborough (Nogojiwanong), a place she once again calls home after spending 23 years as active member of the Dufferin Grove community in Toronto (Tkaronto). Sabrina is an avid vinyl collector and a crossword and powerlifting enthusiast.