Registration & Tradeshow Inquiries: Ashley Kinsman AshleyK@mfnerc.com
General Inquiries: Sharon Sutherland SharonS@mfnerc.com | 204-594-1290
Kim Wheeler – Master of Ceremonies
Kim Wheeler is an Anishinaabe and Mohawk writer and multi-award-winning producer, bringing positive Indigenous stories to mainstream and Indigenous media since 1993. Kim is the executive producer of Words and Culture, an Indigenous language series with an all-Indigenous team of hosts and producers.
Kim is the host and producer of several audio shows including The Kim Wheeler Show and Turtle Island Talks on SiriusXM, the podcast Auntie Up!, Indigenous Screen Office’s Storytellers podcast, and A Day to Listen with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. She is also a writer and producer for The Juno Awards and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Kim has written for the New York Times and Chatelaine. Her work has been recognized by the Canadian Screen Awards, New York Festivals, imagineNATIVE, and the Indigenous Music Awards. She is also a Sixties Scoop survivor.
Mason Dancers
Kimberly, Charisma, and Nakiyah Mason, proud Cree/Metis sisters, have grown up embracing the rich tradition of hoop dance, using their passion to celebrate their Indigenous heritage and inspire community spirit. Since beginning their journey at ages six, seven, and two, the sisters have evolved into accomplished performers, now aged seventeen, fifteen, and eight, respectively.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and currently residing in southeastern Manitoba, they have been honored with invitations to perform in numerous communities across the prairies, different parts of Canada.
Their impressive resume includes competing at the advanced level for the 2024 and 2025 World Championship Hoop Dance Contest in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as performances in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and the Taos Pueblos of New Mexico.
Embracing opportunities to address pressing issues faced by Indigenous peoples, the sisters use their storytelling dance to inspire entire communities, fostering reconciliation and shining a positive light on Indigenous youth.
Through their regalia, sewn by their mother Ginger Johnson, creating their own beadwork and hoop-making, the sisters ensure the traditional art of hoop dancing remains vibrant; passing it down to the generations. As proud band members of Fisher River Cree Nation, with close ties to Gods Lake Narrows First Nation, the French and Norwegian communities of Manitoba, Kimberly, Charisma, and Nakiyah embody the empowering spirit of Indigenous resilience and cultural pride.
Gator Beaulieu
Gator Beaulieu is an Anishinaabe singer/songwriter/entertainer from Kakakwekejeong (Ebb and Flow First Nation) and Gawiikwandongok (Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation). Currently residing in Treaty 1 Territory, Beaulieu has entertained audiences at festivals, theatres, and events throughout Indian Country, Canada, and beyond.
His authentic style weaves together his love of country ballads and bluesy honky-tonk sounds inspired by whatever comes down life’s highway. Recently, Gator released two singles and a music video for the single “Highway Number Six.” He has also been featured in collaboration projects.
Gator remains an active member of the music community and is currently working on new projects.
Chief Derek Nepinak, Minegoziibe Anishinabe – Keynote Speaker
Niibin Makwa, whose English name is Derek Nepinak, is the Chief of the Minegoziibe Anishinabe or the Pine Creek First Nation. He also served as the Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs from 2011 to 2017.
Chief Nepinak has initiated several actions to raise awareness and spark conversations about Indigenous rights in Canada and about Climate Change Adaptation and Readiness, including a 2017 120-kilometre Walk to Remember from the site of his mother’s residential school to his home First Nation and site of the former Pine Creek Indian Residential School.
Chief Nepinak graduated from the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law in 2008 and completed the Aboriginal Lands, Resources and Governance program at Osgoode Hall Law School. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Native Studies from the University of Alberta and, recently, completed the Harvard Business School’s Leading People and Investing in Sustainable Communities program.
Ray “Coco” Stevenson – Host Drum
Ray “Coco” Stevenson is a respected singer and drummer from Treaty 1 territory. He has a Cree and Ojibway background and has been showcasing First Nations song and dance for over three decades. Coco collaborates regularly with different artists in a variety of music genres and has performed with the WSO on more than one occasion.
For over 20 years, Coco has facilitated powwow clubs and educated people of all ages on First Nation traditions and music.
Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers (IFMD)
Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers (IFMD) are three siblings from Winnipeg, Manitoba, who share a passion for dance, and not just any dance. It’s all about the Red River jig! They perform traditional dances of the Red River jig mixed with modern dancing known as the hip-hop jig. Through their gift of dance, they have had great opportunities to travel the world, and they hold numerous achievements and awards.
Their main focus is attracting youth through the rhythm and style of the hip-hop jig. They hope to motivate and inspire people of all ages and bring awareness that their culture is going strong, which they continue to promote with their dance and music. Formally known as the Slick and Lil J Show, IFMD lost one of their biggest fans and proud supporters back in 2012 when Grandpa Ivan Flett passed away. It was with great sadness but an honour to rename themselves the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers. Every dance they do is in honour of him.
Their show wouldn’t be complete without the outfits, and they give a huge thank you to their grandma, Dawn Harris-Flett, who designs and custom makes all their attire. Thanks to Designs By Dawn!
IFMD would like to thank all their fans and family for their continued support.
