Category: Canada

Toronto Verve interview

4/23/2014

New interview up on Toronto Verve. Photos by Kimberly Mufferi Photograghy.

http://www.torontoverve.org/2014/04/from-peace-river-to-house-of-cards.html?m=1

I talk House of Cards, growing up in Peace River, figure skating, family, being an actor in NYC, being a Native actor, fitness and my personal advice.

A very difficult but powerful day

1/17/2014

Leo Parenteau July 20/29-Jan. 9/14
Mistahimaskwa c1825-Jan. 17, 1888

Today is a powerful day. I am honored to be performing tonight in front of members of the Quapaw tribe who are coming all the way from Oklahoma to see our show; I have close family arriving today who are making the trek all the way from Alberta & Montana; I spoke to my Auntie Margaret on the phone; and it is the anniversary of the death of Mistahimaskwa, aka Chief Big Bear, who was instrumental in shaping the history of my people up north. Tonight I will step on that stage with the spirit of two great warriors in my heart—Uncle Leo and Big Bear.

This little girl, I can't even imagine...

12/10/2013

11 Year Old Jasmine is the daughter of Tanya Nepinak. Tanya was taken off the streets of Winnipeg, Canada in September 2011 by an alleged murderer and her body has never been found. Tanya is now part of an epidemic in Canada where there are more than 600 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in the country. The national tragedy keeps getting worse and very few answers for children like Jasmine.

(via Native Women’s Association of Canada)

My new Ben Houstie sunnies!

7/27/2013

My rad new “Insight” sunnies designed by Ben Houstie (Bella Bella) from Lattimer Gallery in Vancouver. Gifted to me by my awesome friend Jason Wiens. Thanks buddiieee!! I have three pairs like this now--white/black, pink/black and red/black. And they're only $16! I just love Northwest Coast art:) Everytime I'm in Vancouver I make sure I visit Lattimer. They have such beautiful pieces.

Check them out here:

http://northwestcoastgifts.com/collections/frontpage/products/sunglasses-black-red

I met George Stroumboulopoulos!

6/30/2013

So this guy walks by me in Central Park. Of course I have to stop him and say hi at Rumsey Playfield. He was hosting Canada Day in NYC. It was really lovely to meet him. I totally fangirled. He was friendly, charming, gorgeous and very nice to talk to:)

Keepin' it Riel

2/19/2013

Below is an excerpt from Chantal Rondeau's tumblr.

moderndayndnprincess:

It’s Louis Riel Day!

Who was Louis Riel?

He “was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies.[1] He led two resistance movements against the Canadian government and its first post-Confederation Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. Riel sought to preserve Métis rights and culture as their homelands in the Northwest came progressively under the Canadian sphere of influence.”

My father has always felt connected to Louis Riel, we were always taught about him. (My dad wanted to name one of my brother Louis Riel, but settled on Lionel Riel) I have always regarded him as a hero. Though I am not technically Metis (I am Full status) I am Native and French which makes me feel connected to the Metis.

I have always always felt connected to this quote that LR said on July 4th 1885

“My people will sleep for one hundred years, but when they awake, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back.”

And from what I see in my community is is the artist who are coming out in the forefront.

Singers, writers, actors, carvers, painters, dancers, storytellers..

And there are the educated artists

Lawyers, doctors, journalists, politicians, CEOs, Entrepreneurs.

It’s our time!

Louis Riel Day part 2

2/19/2013

We must cherish our inheritance. We must preserve our nationality for the youth of our future. The story should be written down to pass on.

~Louis Riel

Louis Riel Day

2/18/2013

We did not rebel, we defended and maintained rights which we enjoyed and had neither forfeited nor sold.

Louis Riel was hanged in Regina on November 16th, 1885.

Click this link for a photo album:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152016138740441.896040.648695440&