Nikâwiy is a group of indigenous women performing music, dancing and storytelling. It’s about nature and motherhood. Nikâwiy means my mother in Cree and is about our significant and fragile connection to mother earth.

Cindy Paul, Curator

Cindy Paul is an established producer, songwriter, recording artist and educator. Her passion for sharing her Cree/Metis northern stories and her unique sound captured her nominations from New York’s Native American Music and Canadian Folk Music Awards and her original composition “He Can Fancy Dance” is internationally recognized for residential school education and cultural awareness. Cindy facilitates music and video production, song writing and visual art workshops across Canada and is an advocate for health and healing through natural therapies, music and art.

Nîpisîy  ᓂᐱᓯᕀ

Nîpisîy is an Indigenous women’s ensemble blending Indigenous tradition and contemporary vocal harmonies with rhythms in the spirit of happiness, health and healing. Nîpisîy, meaning willow in Cree, perfectly embodies the authentic intention of combining four veteran vocalists to create a powerful and melodic collaboration which intertwines the strength of women’s voices.

Debbie Houle is a Métis mother of two from the Elizabeth Métis Settlement and has been working as an artist and community builder in Edmonton’s Indigenous community for 30 years.  In her full-time role as a Liaison Officer with Alberta Indigenous Relations she works with First Nations communities in Alberta administering the First Nations Development Fund and the Residential School Community Research Grant.

Donita Large is Cree from Saddle Lake First Nation and is a singer-songwriter and has been mentored as an associate vocal coach. She has education in social work, addictions and adult education and is a Four Directions Wellness Specialist and a Circle of Safety Women’s Family Violence Facilitator.

Cindy Paul, Cree/Métis from Northern Alberta is an established producer, songwriter, recording artist and educator. She facilitates music production and visual art workshops across Canada and is an advocate for health and healing through natural therapies, music and art.

Sherryl Sewepagaham is Cree-Dene from the Little Red River Cree Nation in Northern Alberta. She is a Masters of Education student, experienced music therapist and music education specialist, as well as a choral composer and a singer-songwriter of Cree songs for children and adult choirs.

Stephanie Harpe

Stephanie Harpe is an International Advocate for MMEIP Murdered or Missing and Exploited Indigenous Peoples, Murder Attempt, Exploitation Survivor and Family member who was a part of public testimony for the National Inquiry. Keynote Speaker for United Nations, traveled 50 Indigenous communities in western Canada and hosted MMEIP support group for 3 years. Completed 2 provincial action plans for Alberta for the National Action Plan, Grassroots works with oppressed people on human rights, safety and security. Developed 16 topics for Wellness and Safety Super clinics, lived experience coaching. Invited to London, Dubai and Malaysia for the largest youth conferences in the world to speak the truth of how Indigenous people have to survive their own country called Canada. Tedx Talk titled Indigenous Suffering and Survival to Success. An award nominated Singer and songwriter for Stephanie Harpe Experience (S.H.E.), Actress and former casting agent for local to Hollywood productions. Indigenous truth and training is at an all time high demand as she is a Survivor, Daughter of a Murdered Mother and Niece of Historical Chief of Fort McKay First Nations.

Hayden Large

Hayden Large is a young multi-talented Cree/Mohawk artist living in Edmonton, Alberta. She enjoys pow-wow dancing in Fancy Dance style, and has performed at school and community events. She has strong vocal abilities, and her favourite genres are pop, rock and traditional Indigenous music. Hayden has sang “O Canada” in Cree and English for an Edmonton’s National Indigenous Day video and was a feature in the “Travelling Song: One Rattle, One People” video. Hayden is also an aspiring actor.

Adrianne Beauregarde, Set Designer

Adrianne Beauregarde is a Métis interdisciplinary artist based in Edmonton ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (amiskwacîwâskahikan), Alberta whose work engages in critical discourse. She views the arts through a contemporary Indigenous lens and finds inspiration in the world around her; she enjoys translating that into visual works that drive a story and viewer engagement. Beauregarde graduated from the University of Alberta’s Fine Art & Design Program where she majored in sculpture and intermedia. She has over a decade of experience working with art organizations in the community
such as SkirtsAfire, Latitude53, John and Maggie Mitchell Art Gallery (MAG), Lowlands Gallery, and Nextfest Arts Company.