Opening Ceremony

Jeffrey Schiffer was born and raised in Coast Salish territory and has Métis and German ancestry.

Serves as Senator and Knowledge Seeker on the Toronto and York Region Métis Council. Raised on the land near the Georgian Bay waters, Suzanne traces her Métis roots to Red River Valley.

Ascension started dancing as soon as he could walk, soon after at the age of 2 he started Hoop Dancing like his father before him.

Lindsey's traditional name is ‘Mushkiiki Nibi Kwe’, which translates to ‘Medicine Water Woman’ and she is turtle clan.

Keith McCrady is an Ojibway and Cree from the Bear Clan who has worked with Indigenous families for over twenty years.

JL Whitecrow is a multi-disciplinary artist from Seine River First Nation, Treaty #3 and lives in Toronto.

She is a sassy, bad assy, yet classy. She is an active community member, stand up comedian, Northern Style Women's Traditional dancer, educator, back up singer & an avid beader.

Kevin was born in Hamilton, Ontario on the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississauga, and is part of the Bird clan of the Dakotas.