Presenters

This year's presenters are

Tracie Léost is an award-winning young Métis leader, activist and athlete from St. Laurent, Manitoba, in Treaty 1 Territory. Her strong commitment to contributing to social justice is evidenced by the philanthropic and awareness initiatives she has spearheaded. In 2015 she ran 115km in 4 days to raise money and awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People. Gaining international attention for advocacy efforts, in 2018 Tracie received the Metis Youth Indspire Award, the highest honour bestowed upon the Indigenous community. In 2020 she was inducted into the Order of Gabriel Dumont Bronze Medal, the Metis Nations highest civilian honour. Named one of the University of Regina's most promising undergraduate students; in 2020, she founded Waanishka Movement Inc., a non-profit organization that supports Indigenous youth to rise. Most recently, Tracie received one of CBC Manitoba’s Future 40 Awards and was named one of Canada’s most decorated Indigenous young people. Tracie upholds her responsibilities as an emerging matriarch by serving her people and ensuring that all Indigenous youth have opportunities to grow and flourish.

For years Anishinaabe DJ and producer Les Boulanger — known by audiences as Boogey the Beat — has toiled behind the scenes, laying the sonic foundations for other musicians’ anthems. As a longtime lover of hip-hop and rap, collaboration is his comfort zone. He’s worked and performed with the likes of award-winning acts including The Halluci Nation (formerly a Tribe Called Red) and Snotty Nose Rez Kids, playing stages across Turtle Island.

Kairyn (Kai) Potts (he/him) is proudly Nakota Sioux from Treaty 6 Territory (Paul Band FN and the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation). He is a proud Two-Spirit person and Indigenous content creator. As a former board member for 2Spirits in Motion and Youth Suicide Prevention Team representative, he is a passionate advocate who works to improve indigenous youth's lives (particularly queer youth and youth in the child and family services system). He was named to Tik Tok’s Global Discover List in 2022 as one of the platform’s top 50 change makers. 

Kai now makes his home in beautiful Tkaronto (Toronto), where he works as a writer, actor, model, TV host. He continues his youth advocacy through public speaking, content creation, frontline workshops and community events. He is the host for Snapchat’s Canada’s First Original Series “Reclaimed” and has appeared in the APTN Series “7th GEN.” 

Kai co-founded the Indigenous gaming organization Neechi Clan in 2022. Kai is an avid gamer and streamer on Twitch and Tiktok who aims to create representation and opportunities for Indigenous youth in the gaming/content creation world. His creative projects allow him to utilize online platforms to share his voice, culture, makeup, lifestyle and fashion. His audience is highly engaged and shares his passions for humour, gaming and Indigenous social issues.

Marika Sila is an Inuvialuk actress, influencer and activist from Yellowknife, NWT. With over half a million followers across Instagram and Tiktok, Marika is best known for her work on the popular TV series ‘The Twilight Zone’. Marika specializes in stunts and special skills for film & TV, including; nunchuck, staff, sword handling, hoop dancing and fire spinning. She started her special skills journey as a hoop dancer, and was recently voted Canadian Hoop Dancer of the Year.
She is the owner of RedPath Talent Inc. which is an emerging Indigenous talent agency and production company named after the Indigenous phrase, "Walking the red road" known as walking a path dedicated to sobriety, health and wellness. Marika is 8 years sober and attributes much of her success to that single life choice. Marika believes it is important for youth across the world to have a positive role model who stands for the power of sobriety. Marika’s goal has always been to build a platform to inspire others and to raise awareness about important Indigenous rights and climate issues.

As an Métis and Nehiyaw iskwew from Muscowpetung First Nations,  Shayla Stonechild, has always been a catalyst towards Indigenous youth and women unlocking their full potential. By reclaiming their voices, bodies and spirits that have been silenced and stolen throughout history. There is a shift happening in humanity right now and she believes the arts, meditation, movement and reclaiming an Indigenous worldview is a part of that shift. 
  

Shayla was an award-winning TV Host of APTN’s “Red Earth Uncovered” and ET Canada’s special segment for National Truth and Reconciliation day. She is currently a yoga Instructor with over 500 hours of training and was the first Indigenous woman to appear on the cover of “Yoga Journal” magazine. She is the founder  and the podcast host of the “Matriarch Movement'' an online platform, podcast and non-profit organization dedicated to amplifying Indigenous voices and providing wellness workshops to BIPOC women + Indigenous youth (virtually + in person). Shayla is currently a Global Yoga Ambassador for lululemon.   

IG: @shayla0h
www.shaylastonechild.ca
www.matriarchmovement.ca
@matriach.movement

Santee Siouxx is a Waȟpéthuŋwaŋ (Dwells amongst the leaves) from the Dakȟóta Oyáte of Dakota Tipi First Nation and Odawa from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, she now calls Tkaronto (Toronto) her home away from home. She is an Indigenous social media content creator, fashion model, entrepreneur, jingle dress dancer, encouragement speaker, youth teacher and sundancer. She is passionate about celebrating Indigenous worldview and identity with her followers. She spends valuable time with elders in her territory and they have encouraged her to pursue her spiritual beliefs by developing and creating an awareness related to traditional Healing Methods. She was given the life philosophy from her teachers, “Within the Circle of Life, Traditional Healing Leads to Empowerment.” Recently, she has been learning about the medicinal properties of local plants and their healing remedies for the mind, body and spirit.

Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers are three siblings from Winnipeg, who share a passion for jigging! The three Harris siblings, Michael, Jacob and Cieanna have been jigging ever since they can remember.

Victoria Turko is a Metis singer/Songwriter and Actress who travels from show to show with her guitar in hand and a passion for story telling. She regularly performs at events and venues around Manitoba. Some of her more notable performaces are playing on the main stage at Winnipeg Pride Festival, Main Stage at Winnipeg Fringe Festival,  Winnipeg Manyfest and Winnipeg Folk Festival and Festival De Voyeger. Victoria took part in the 2018 Manitoba Showcase as an Emerging Artist and has been launching her profesional career ever since. 

Victoria recently released her two latest singles "House" and "18 Years clueless" which both climed the charts ans made it to top 10 of IMC top 40! She is working on recording her music, as she has many more originals to record and share. She recently acted in action/Comedy "Vandits"as a lead actress alongside co-stars Jan Arden and Trailer Park Boy Robb Well's. Victoria also apeared in one epiosde on new CTV comedies and Craves new series "Acting Good."