First Nations & Native American Celebs

Lila Downs, born in Oaxaca, Mexico, is the daughter of Mixtec singer Anita Sanchez and Allen Downs, a Scottish-American art professor and filmmaker. She grew up in Oaxaca, California, and Minnesota, where she graduated from the University of Minnesota in voice and anthropology. Her musical vision is anthropological in nature, as varied as the ancient and earthy cultures that continue to nurture and inspire her. Downs is usually accompanied on her musical journey by her longtime band, La Misteriosa, multi-cultural multi-instrumentalists who include Paul Cohen, her collaborator, producer, and husband.

The topic of her music is often political and social justice, immigration, and transformation, all rooted in the human condition. She strives to make a meaningful connection with her diverse audiences through her music and performances.

For over a decade, Lila Downs has traversed the planet, bringing her dramatic and highly unique reinvention of traditional Mexican music and original compositions fused with blues, jazz, soul, African root, and even klezmer music, all supporting her soaring voice. Some would classify Lila as a Mexican artist, but there is no real way to categorize her music except to say that it is a unique and exciting fusion of international sounds. A musical journey with Lila Downs is always a fascinating one, simultaneously edgy and powerful, yet sumptuous and graceful.

Sometimes the sound feels like a heat fueled road trip from Oaxaca to New Orleans. But then Downs is not afraid to shake things up with a cumbia rock, beat-poet style rap, or even the chirps of an iguana, taking the music to its own enigmatic world. The path can also unexpectedly lead to ancient worlds, when Lila taps into the native Mesoamerican music and language of the Mixtec, Zapotec, Maya and Nahuatl cultures. Few artists can successfully navigate the terrain of such seemingly disparate music. But Lila Downs y La Misteriosa go to the core of it, make it their own, and bring the audience along for an emotional and memorable ride.

Lila Downs has long been recognized by the music industry, receiving a Latin Grammy for the 2004 release "Una Sangre" and a Grammy nomination for 2008's "Shake Away," which was also named one of the top ten albums by WOMEX, the leading world music organization. In addition to headlining venues all over the world, she has appeared at major festival and events including Carnegie Hall, the Sacred Music Festival at the Hollywood Bowl - appearing with such luminaries as the Dalai Lama; WOMAD Festival; and the Latino Inaugural Ball for President Barack Obama.

Hollywood also took notice when Lila played a role in the Salma Hayek film "Frida" and then performed with Caetano Veloso the Oscar-nominated soundtrack song "Burn It Blue" on the Academy Awards telecast. Her music has been included in several other feature films such as "Tortilla Soup," "Real Women Have Curves," and "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada." She also played the role of Sophia in the film "Mariachi Gringo" from SPEAK Productions.

Jon Proudstar was born on 3 January 1967 in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Jon is an actor and producer, known for So Close to Perfect (2009), Young Guns II (1990) and Wastelander (2018).

Yvonne Russo, an award-winning producer, director and writer of film, television and animation. She's the director and producer of VOW OF SILENCE: THE ASSASSINATION OF ANNIE MAE a 4-part docu-series based on the life of Annie Mae Aquash an activist who fought for Indigenous rights with the American Indian Movement. She's producing with Amy Kaufman, Caroline Waterlow for ONYX Collective/HULU. She's also serving as a Producer on KELLY'S BAR an indie drama about a Mi'kmaq Indian man and an Irish-American woman who fall in love in an impoverished and racially divided 1980's South Boston. She's producing with Casey Affleck. She is the creator, director, producer and writer of TINY TOT NATION an animated children's series currently in development. She serves as the director, producer, and writer of the feature documentary VIVA VERDI!, which explores life inside Casa di Riposo per Musicisti in Milan, the home Giuseppe Verdi established in 1896 for retired opera singers and remarkable musical artists. The film is being produced in collaboration with Christine La Monte. VIVA VERDI! had its World Premiere at the 25th Anniversary Woodstock Film Festival in 2024. She worked as a Production Advisor on WOMAN WALKS AHEAD, a period epic feature film circa 1889, which follows widow Catherine Weldon (Jessica Chastain) leaves behind her unsatisfying life in New York City to pursue her dream to be a painter, and bravely travels alone to the Dakota Territory, with the goal of painting the infamous Lakota Chief, Sitting Bull - The film was written by Academy Award nominated Steven Knight, produced by The Bedford Falls Company and Black Bicycle Entertainment. Russo has recently entered a television development deal with Handmade Films to adapt the 1989 cult classic film POWWOW HIGHWAY based on a novel by David Seals. She is Executive Producing with Sterlin Harjo, Bobby Wilson and Heather Rae. She has a deal with Warner Brothers Television and Bad Robot to Executive Produce a new television series currently in development with Steven Knight. She recently directed, wrote and produced an animated short MINNIE'S WAR BONNET, for PBS and is now being utilized in K-12 educational programs in the USA. As an independent producer, Russo has worked on a range of national and international productions in the United States and over 17 countries from Rajasthan, India, to Rwanda. Her projects include, "40 Under 40," a documentary featuring America's top 40 visual artists under 40 years of age, a CBS/Smithsonian Network production; the National Geographic series, "Nat Geo's Most Amazing Photos"; National Geographic's "Capturing the Deep," as well as Nat Geo's "All Roads Film Project" and TLC/Discovery's "Bringing Home Baby" series, which she also directed; "Nat Geo's Top Ten Photos of 2010"; "The Other Milan," an episode from the series 1

"Nat Geo's Most Amazing Photos," are among her writing credits. She has produced over 75 "Behind the Photo" segments that were syndicated on the National Geographic International Channel and for NGM digital studios. Russo's feature film work includes the 2012 feature documentary, THE RESCUERS: HEROES OF THE HOLOCAUST, where she served as Co-Producer; the film was nominated for "Outstanding Documentary" at the 2012 NAACP Awards. She served as Producer on the award-winning indie feature NATURALLY NATIVE that had its launch at Sundance, played theatrically at Landmark theaters, and was acquired by Turner Classics. Russo produced the feature documentary, TRUE WHISPERERS: THE STORY OF THE NAVAJO CODE TALKERS, in association with Gale Anne Hurd's Valhalla Motion Pictures. From 1996 to 2002, Russo served as Vice President of Production for Red-Horse Productions. She started her film career as a voice-over actor on the animated film, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, and segued into television series and feature film. Her acting credits for television include "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" and "Stolen Women, Captured Hearts," a television special; NATURALLY NATIVE and AMERICAN INDIAN GRAFFITI are among her feature film acting credits. A member of the Directors Guild of America, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Producers Guild of America where she served on the Board of Governors. Russo is a long-standing member of SAG/AFTRA, a Board Member of New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT) and the Co-founder and Director of The Akatubi Film/Music Academy, with Kimberly and Johnny Guerrero which focuses on teaching Native American youth entertainment and new media production. She was a grantee of Awesome Without Borders, a chapter of the Awesome Foundation for her upcoming feature documentary, VIVA VERDI! She is the recipient of The Redford Center grant for VOW OF SILENCE: THE ASSASSINATION OF ANNIE MAE And a recipient of the NIA TERO Grant for Indigenous Filmmakers. She was accepted into the Sundance Institute and Women in Film's Financing Intensive for Women Filmmakers in April 2014. In 2004, she was a Sundance Producers Lab Fellow; a Tribeca All Access Program Fellow in 2005 and a Juror of the National Geographic Society's All Roads Film Festival in Washington, D.C. Russo received the "Producer of the Year Award" from the American Indian Film Festival, and the "Outstanding Achievement in Producing" from the First Americans in the Arts. She has been a guest lecturer at The Royal Film Commission in Amman, Jordan, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and the University of Miami. Russo is a contributing blogger for The Huffington Post and contributing columnist for Indian Country Today and Produced by magazine covering media and entertainment. Russo is a member of the Sicangu Lakota Tribal Nation.

Johnny Issaluk is known for Indian Horse (2017), The Terror (2018) and Falls Around Her (2018).

Joanelle Romero, founder and CEO of Red Nation Celebration Institute, Red Nation International Film Festival, Red Nation Television Network, Red Nation Films, and Native Women in Film & Television, is the first and only Native female filmmaker to be shortlisted for an Academy Award. An award-winning director and producer, Joanelle has produced and directed over 125 documentaries, television specials, television series, pilots, music videos, and concert series, including the Native Indigenous franchise, the RNCI Red Nation Awards.

Joanelle Romero is an actress, award-winning director, producer and distributor of independent film. Joanelle is the first Native Indigenous filmmaker to be short-listed for an Academy Award in the Documentary Short Branch for her film American Holocaust: When Its All Over I'll Still Be Indian. At age 18, Joanelle was cast in her first leading role in the CBS television movie The Girl Called Hatter Fox (1977). That film marked the first time a Native actress carried a leading role in a contemporary movie. She went on to study at Lee Strasberg Actors Studio in Hollywood. She is a member of The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences and was the first Native woman to be invited (2016). A SAG/Aftra member since 1977.

Joanelle is born of Apache and SpanishSephardic. A relative of Pawnee, Dine, Paiute, Pojoaque, Southern Ute, Haudenosaunee and kinship to Lakota and Jicarilla Apache. Joanelle's father was born on the Jicarilla Reservation and her great-grandma from her mother's father side was born on the Mescalero Reservation. She has two adult children, graduates of Yale University and Berklee College of Music.

Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the first of three children, mother Rita Rogers and father Robert Romero. Joanelle grew up in to the entertainment industry. At age 3, she acted with her mother and grandfather in plays in New Mexico. In the 60's, Joanelle's mother was signed to Universal Studios and was in nine Elvis Presley films. At age 9, Joanelle used to go to the set on MGM Lot with her mother and hang out with Elvis and Nancy Sinatra, where she learned her love for filmmaking. As a young girl at age 12, Dennis Hopper became her 'legal guardian' in order for her to live at the Mable Dodge Luhan home, which Dennis Hopper owned at the time, Joanelle continued living with him throughout her teen years. Joanelle and Leonard Cohen (poet) began dating in her early 20's and later lived together. Leonard went on to produce Joanelle's first recordings at A & M Records. Joanelle was the first artist that Leonard Cohen produced.

Born of Mètis ancestry in southern British Columbia, Steven Cree Molison was adopted at the age of 6 months and raised in northern Canada's Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Adventurous and rebellious, Steven left his northern home at 16. He has met with many varied and diverse life experiences, some more difficult than others, but his resilience has always remained and enhanced the authenticity of the characters he portrays. Always passionate about art and creating music, Steven had an early interest in acting and soon arrived in Vancouver at the age of 20 to try his hand on the stage and screen. However, the twists in life and his young family responsibilities ultimately shelved the dream. He worked as a carpenter and home-builder for over 20 years, often teaching his trade in small northern communities in BC. As fate would have it, a severe motorcycle accident and brain injury presented Steven the opportunity to choose a career in the film industry once again, some twenty years later. He began working as a stunt performer and then went on to study for two years, graduating from the full- time program at Vancouver's William Davis Centre for Acting in 2001.

Steven has been pursuing the dream ever since. For his recurring role as Daryl Fraser on Blackstone (2009), Steven has been nominated three times, 2012, 2014 and 2015 for the Leo Award's Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series, winning it in 2012. He was also nominated for a 2013 Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role. Steven Cree Molison is known for his other work on Brokeback Mountain (2005), and Fifty Shades of Grey (2015).

Jennifer Bobiwash is known for Magnum P.I. (2018), Rutherford Falls (2021) and The Red Orchid (2022).

If you asked where he would be 30 years ago, it's very likely Trevor would have mentioned that he would be a struggling artist, drawing and painting away his dreams or even a Christian minister. He would have never believed he would be sharing the screen with some of the biggest stars in Film and Television. Born in 1979 in the small town of Little Current, Ontario, the multi-disciplined Indigenous Artist was adopted into a Christian family when he was 4 months old.

Trevor was raised in the mining town of Sudbury, Ontario by Peter and Marilyn Carroll, and shared a wonderful childhood with his adopted sister, Tammy. His passion for the arts was established at an early age, as he frequently drew images that surrounded him through comic books and professional wrestling. His love of these powerful images heavily influenced his artistic styles, and as a graduate of Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, he was the recipient of the Hazel McBride-Kane Memorial scholarship for excellence in English and Fine Arts.

His skills in the Arts translated into a successful career behind the camera, featured with a decade of producing and directing some of the top mixed martial artists in the world with Canada's #1 MMA organization, Battlefield Fight League. His award winning short film, No Reservations garnered acclaim while playing in over 30 international festivals around the world and was featured in CBC's Short Film Faceoff. His cinematography work was featured in APTN's The Mix, CTV's First Story, and CBC's presentation of the Best of Crazy8's documentary.

With nearly a decade of owning his own casting studio, Trevor began concentrating his energy on developing his talent in front of the camera. His diverse skill set unique look has allowed him to play memorable characters; such as the friendly Northern guide, Louie in the German film Fluss des Lebens: Ruf der Wildins, the Indigenous time traveler Otter Tooth in Outlander, the bad ass Trafficker in Van Helsing, and the troublesome inmate Vincent in Blackstone. His love for the Arts has given him the opportunity to travel across the world with his craft, and he is grateful that this has allowed him to share his experiences with others as a coach and guest speaker.

Lidia Pires is known for Hacia la vida (2009), Ladrón que roba a ladrón (2007) and Castle (2009).

Buffalo Child is a full-blooded Plains Cree Native American. In addition to television, he has also acted on stage. Both of his parents were raised having traditional lives. Buffalo resided with his maternal grandmother who was a well known medicine woman. His father was an American and his mother was Canadian which means Buffalo holds dual citizenship. He has been working as a professional script consultant for both films and television.

A graduate of The Circle in the Square conservatory, Susan cut her teeth on many indie and commercial projects through her 20s in New York. Founder of Intelligenistas NYC and The Native American Theater Conference of NYC, her show "Love, Sex & Things In-Between" was an off-Broadway success.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Borrego studied theatre and dance at The University of Incarnate Word; he studied acting at The California Institute of the Arts. In the 1980s he attended an open audition for the TV Series "Fame" where he won the role of "Jesse Velasquez", a role he would have for three years. Borrego, however, would return to the stage appearing in productions at the noted Joseph Papp Theatre in New York City and The Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. In addition to standout performances on stage and in films such as "Blood In, Blood Out" and "Follow Me Home", he began Lupita Productions in 1990. Lupita has produced theatrical productions and concerts; additionally, Lupita has produced two 16mm short films: "El Suendo de Simon" (1993) by James Borrego and "Flattime" (1995) by Jimmy Santiago Baca. At home in front of the camera, on stage, or in the producer's seat, Borrego continues to be one of the most versatile and resilient talents of our time.

Dolores Quintana was born on 18 July 1978 in Redlands, California, USA. She is an actress, known for Kittens in a Cage (2015), Necessary Evil (2008) and The Sunday Night Slaughter (2020).

Joseph Daniel Havenstar is known for Longmire (2012).

Karen was raised on the St. Regis Mohawk Indian reservation (aka, Akwesasne). She moved to New Mexico as an adult and found it to be a very unique area, just as unique as she is. She became involved in the film industry in New Mexico and continues to be involved in the ever-changing film industry. Her appearance lends itself to placing her in various ethnicities.

Winner of Best Performance, Animation at the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards as Corner Gas Animated (2018)'s Sergeant Davis Quinton. Lorne is well-known for his portrayal of this beloved character in the Corner Gas comedy franchise - now in 60 countries worldwide - including the animated series and 6 seasons of the original International Emmy-nominated live-action comedy series Corner Gas (2004) and feature Corner Gas: The Movie (2014).

Lorne has the rare honor of having a theatre space named after him in the rebuilt Roxy Theatre in Edmonton Alberta. The Lorne Cardinal Theatre is scheduled to open November 2021.

A classically trained actor, Lorne has also performed in, and directed, a diverse range of theatre productions such as King Lear, on Canada's premiere A-house stage at the National Arts Centre, and Black Elk Speaks at the Denver Center.

His work includes executive producing and directing, and he's received numerous nominations and distinguished awards for his body of work and is the recipient of an honorary PhD from Thompson Rivers University.

Additionally, he's a sought after voice actor for clients like Penguin Randomhouse, Canada's Museum of Civilization and projects such as The Great Northern Candy Drop (2017), Open Season: Scared Silly (2015) and Peabody award-winner Molly of Denali (2019).

Carla-Rae,, is an American, SAG, AFTRA and AEA, actress. Born in upstate New York Carla-Rae is of Seneca/Mohawk, French Canadian descent.. Carla-Rae has had the pleasure of working with television, film and theatre stars to the likes of Wes Studi, Michael Greyeyes, Virginia Madsen, David James Elliot, Marc Vann, Tatanka Means, Tonantzin Carmelo , Michael Spears, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Tamara Podemski, Emily Podleski, Maggie Fine, with Directors and Producers such as Award winning Director Lasse Hallstrom, in Fox series 'New Amsterdam', Director, Chris Eyre in PBS award winning docudrama 'We Shall Remain', Director Michael Linn in award winning, Indie Feature Film 'Imprint', Director Julie Ann Robinson, ABC network "Scoundrels", and Director Larry Shur of 'Rutherford Falls' a Peacock Original.

Carla-Rae is spoken of highly by industry professionals with stellar endorsements such as: "...Carla-Rae is not only one of my favorite people, she is also a wildly talented actress with energy and craft. Check her out! You won't be disappointed - I promise", says Director Chris Eyre of Smoke Signals, Edge of America, Skins, who directed Carla-Rae in the provocative 5 part PBS American Experience mini series We Shall Remain.

Carla-Rae has continued to garner roles on stage, off-Broadway, as well, with leading roles in "The House of Bernarda Alba" directed by Lenny Delgado of Liguorian Players and "Edith Stein" by Arthur Giron. Native Voices at the Autry, Los Angeles play "The Bird House" by Diane Glancy and has read in several play reading series at Native Voices as well. She has performed in several World Premier Plays, including "Indian Head" By Nikkole Salter at Luna Stage In New Jersey and "Peaceable Kingdom", by Mary Toumanen through Orbiter Theater Group Philadelphia. At Yale Repertory Theater, Carla Rae performed in 'Manahatta' by Mary Kathryn Nagle.

She is working on web series 'Shine On in 7 Directions' with fellow Actor/Speaker/Producer, John Scott Richardson and Director/Producer John Foutz of Foutz Productions.

Carla-Rae also has a music recording called "Glimpses" which was recorded in NC. Rounding out her skills, Carla-Rae is also a Commercial Actress and Print Model.

Kevin Sifuentes is an actor, writer, artist and filmmaker. Originally from Texas, Kevin studied and earned a BFA degree from the University of Southern California's prestigious Theatre School Of Performing Arts. As a filmmaker Kevin has produced, directed and written several short films that have toured the film festival circuit. Kevin has loved using his creative skills to work with fine organizations such as The Virginia Avenue Project, Will Power To Youth, Native Voices At The Autry, Mentor Artists Playwrights Project and About Productions whose projects focus on bringing the theatre and playwright experience to to promote youth empowerment, creative education, cross-cultural and intergenerational dialogue, through community development, creative workshops, and professional presentations. In addition Kevin has also worked with ENCOMPASS, The National Council of Community and Justice (NCCJ), and The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA).

Sharon Leigh Bruneau was born in Timmins, Ontario, Canada, reared in the metropolis of Toronto and later relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia (where she began study and work as an Actress). Sharon landed in Los Angeles in the spring of 1992.

Was a cheerleader at East York High School in Toronto, Canada.

Was one of 3 Choreographers for the "Men of Chippendales", Canada

Has a black Pug named Jack

Bruneau studied dance throughout her teens which eventually landed her numerous Television appearances in Canada.

Her slender physique and striking ethnic look brought Sharon success as a fashion model in Canada including opportunities to begin Hosting various Television and Video specials throughout the years.

At the pinnacle of her modeling/dance career, Bruneau contracted pneumonia. To rehabilitate herself she began weight training and, through the encouragement of Bodybuilding Mogul, Joe Weider, she began entering fitness competitions and in a few short years, became one of the most sought after and striking personalities on the Fitness scene.

Called "Bodybuilding's No. 1 pin-up" by FLEX magazine in 1992 through 1997.

Was one of the first women to be signed under contract with Weider Health & Fitness, Weider Publications from 1991 - 1998.

In an age of specialization, Sharon Bruneau is far more than the spectacularly honed body that has appeared on magazine covers internationally and hosted fitness shows, events and network specials over a decade.

Though long since retired from fitness competitions (1997), Sharon still loves to work out but no longer in the iron gym. Sharon's passion and athletic background stems from ballet/jazz which has become part of her exercise routine once again doubled up with Pilate's and Wushu.

Whether Sharon is modeling, acting, Producing or hosting a motivational fitness event, her work has taken her around the globe a few times over the past 15 years and one thing is for certain, she has made an incredible, positive impact to thousands of people either through her many images or to those who have had the chance to come in direct contact with her amazing energy.

Eric Schweig was born on 19 June 1967 in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada. He is an actor, known for The Last of the Mohicans (1992), Big Eden (2000) and Skins (2002). He was previously married to Leah ?.

Rachel Seenie is known for Stryker (2004), Mr. Soul (2006) and We Were Children (2012).

Chad Burris is known for Drunktown's Finest (2014), Splinter (2008) and The Killer Inside Me (2010).

Dana Yvonne Anquoe is a Native American actress born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and trained in Salt Lake City, UT. She is Kiowa, Maidu and Sisseton- Wahpeton Sioux. She's known for her height (5'9") and her curves. She has one brother and one sister who both live in Del City, OK.

Darrell Redleaf-Fielder is known for Twister (1996), Cast Away (2000) and The Sweetest Thing (2002).

Darlene Naponse is an Anishinaabe from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek - Northern Ontario Canada.

She is a writer, film director, and video artist. Her film work has been viewed nationally and internationally. She owns Baswewe Films Inc., located in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.

Darlene has created 4 feature films and various short films. Some films have played at the Sundance Film Festival, TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), imagineNATIVE Film Festival and have been televised.

Darlene has a Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) and a Hon. BA 2001 from Laurentian University.

Darlene was a 2017 Writers' Trust/McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize Finalist for "She Is Water" published in The Malahat Review.

Her feature film "Falls Around Her" world premiered at TIFF - Toronto International Film Festival 2018 and screened the Opening Night at the imagineNATIVE Film Festival 2018 (Air Canada Audience Choice Award 2018 Winner).

"Stellar" her fourth film premiered at TIFF - Toronto International Film Festival 2022 and screened Opening Night at imagineNATIVE film festival 2022.

Darlene's work is placed within community and the Natural World.

As a storyteller, Darlene is in search of imaginative images giving truth through word, film, and art.