chokecherry team

Chokecherry Team
Andrea Cessna (she/her) |
Tuk Gordon (he/him) |
Jade Creelman (she/they) |
Delano Kennedy (he/him) |
Kiyari McNab (she/her) Wâpahki Program Coordinator kiyari@chokecherrystudios.com |
Allison Forsberg (she/her) Wâpahki Program Coordinator allison@chokecherrystudios.com |
Sarah Janvier (she/her) Winter Response Coordinator sarah@chokecherrystudios.com |
Chokecherry Board of Directors
![]() Paulie Poitras, Chair of BoardHan Mitokiyapi, mija Dakota/Sahayah, mija winkte, O’E-yah wakan wi imakiyapi, muthpiyah ska imakiyapi. |
![]() Dustin Fiddler Ross, Vice ChairDustin was born in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan and his home has always been in the boreal forests of Northern Saskatchewan. Through his upbringing he was taught traditionally from his Elders. Dustin holds these values passed down to him in highest regard and aims to honour them in his work and through his character. Dustin is currently a Band Councillor recently re-elected to a 3rd term in his home community of Waterhen Lake First Nation where he continues to strive for a stronger education system, Nation owned child welfare legislation, and to further economic development. He is also a fellow with Action Canada - a program that is run through the Public Policy Forum of Canada. |
![]() Azwa Alam, Board SecretaryAzwa is an 18-year-old student studying in second-year Political Studies and International Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. She is passionate about youth advocacy, art, and building relationships among immigrants and Indigenous people in Saskatchewan. She volunteers to contribute to youth policies and amplifying youth voices both locally and on a national level. Azwa previously has been recognised for her work by the CBC when they wrote an article about the importance of building bridges between Indigenous and immigrants/newcomers and contributing to reconciliation. When it comes to her art, Azwa has previously curated an exhibition on her journey to not conforming to societal normalities in Gordon Snelgrove gallery at the University of Saskatchewan. |
![]() Heather Morrison, Member at LargeHeather Morrison is an award-winning theatre artist, radio host, associate producer, fitness instructor, and public speaking coach. She is passionate about building community whether it is through her work as the former Artistic Producer of Sum Theatre, on-air with CBC Saskatchewan, or volunteering in the community. Heather previously served on the boards of Nuit Blanche Saskatoon, Broadway Theatre, and Live Five. She is the recipient of a University of Saskatchewan Alumni Achievement Award, was named one of CBC’s Future 40 and, most importantly, is mom to an incredible little child named Judah.
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Marjorie Beaucage is a Two-Spirit Métis Auntie, filmmaker, art-ivist and educator, a land protector and a water protector. Born in Vassar, Manitoba, to a large Métis family, Marjorie’s life’s work has been about creating social change, working to give people the tools for creating possibilities and right relations. Whether in the classroom, community, campsite or the arts, Marjorie’s goal has been to pass on the stories, knowledge and skills that will make a difference for the future. For Marjorie, story is medicine. |
Tanis Worme (they/them) is an artist from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Treaty #6 Territory. Tanis is Plains Cree and a member of the Poundmaker Cree Nation with maternal roots to Mistawasis Nehiyawak and paternal roots to Kawacatoose First Nation. Their growing body of studio work considers notions of memory through place while questioning the impulse of colonial thought imbued in created space. Tanis is a graduate from the Ottawa School of Art's Fine Art Diploma program, specializing in traditional printmaking methods and oil painting. The scope of their practice also includes tattooing, drawing, collage, performance, and sculpture. Tanis is a member of the Ottawa-based artists’ and curatorial collective, Wolf Babe, and currently a design student at the Azrieli School of Architecture at Carleton University. |
Nikita is an associate lawyer at McKercher LLP in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, practicing primarily with their Indigenous Law Practice Group. Her focus is First Nations litigation, governance issues and on-reserve development. Nikita attended Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the bar in Ontario in 2015 and Saskatchewan in 2019. When she's not lawyering, Nikita enjoys spending time with her rescue greyhound, fostering kittens for the SPCA, swimming, reading trashy detective novels and watching even trashier television. Nikita has absolutely no artistic talent and is therefore constantly in awe of the creativity and talent of the youth at Chokecherry. |
Julianna Maggrah is a Mètis storyteller/writer from La Ronge, Saskatchewan. She began writing while unable to work due to illness and rediscovered her passion for TV and film. After studying Media Arts Production, she got a job with CTV and has written for The Northern Advocate, where she won an award. Julianna is a recent grad of NSI's New Indigenous Voices program and has been selected for the Queen's Jubilee Platinum Medal for her digital contributions to her community. |