Métis 2SLGBTQIA+ Gathering

The Rupertsland Institute (RLI) is thrilled to extend an invitation to you for the groundbreaking Métis 2SLGBTQIA+ Gathering, taking place on April 11-12, 2024, in Edmonton (amiskwaciwâskahikan), Alberta at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

Partnering with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Youth department and the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society, this historic event marks the inaugural gathering of its kind, providing a vital space for Métis and other Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals to come together; fostering open dialogue, education, and community building within our diverse community.

In our commitment to amplify Indigenous voices, our communications team has partnered with pipikwan pêhtâkwan, an Indigenous-owned public relations firm, to craft branding that honors the essence of this event.

Additionally, we are excited to announce that RLI has joined forces with Jelly Marketing, a Métis-owned digital marketing firm based in Vancouver, BC, to livestream the event. This ensures that those unable to attend in person can still participate and engage with the gathering's invaluable discussions and presentations. Please note that only April 12 will be livestreamed.

We eagerly anticipate your presence at this momentous occasion, where we will collectively celebrate and elevate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Please note that your registration will be confirmed by an event staff member through the email you sign up with. You are not confirmed to be attending until you receive an email.

Rob Gurney
Emcee

Rob Gurney, RSW is a Two- Spirited proud father from Montreal Lake, Sask. Treaty 6. He advocates for Indigenous and 2SLGBTQA+ people. Rob started his substance use disorder when was 17 yrs old. He experienced being part of the 60’s Scoop where his culture was erased. He was houseless, lonely and felt hopeless. 11 years ago he made the decision to get help and has been sober/clean since then.

He is a volunteer with the Imperial Sovereign Court of The Wild Rose as well as with the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society where he was honored with the title of “Regional 2 Spirit Warrior 2021- 2022”. He is honored to be called “kohkom.” He has earned that term of endearment through 30+ years in the performance art community and being a Drag Queen with numerous accolades from pageants and charity work. He presently has a career as a social worker as well as a Zumba enthusiast.

Cree Nomad (she/they)
Panellist – 2SLGBTQIA+ in the Arts

The Cree Nomad (a.k.a Britney) is a Métis-Cree two-spirit author, artist, activist, and social media personality based in Treaty 6. Born in Amiskwaciwâskahikan but raised between East Prairie Métis Settlement and various other towns, Britney has claimed their nomadic ancestral trait since childhood.

Cree Nomad published their debut novel “Hey, June” in February of 2024, and has many other projects on the go. When they’re not perfecting their writing craft, they are championing Indigenous Rights and Sovereignty at the forefront of Climate Change. Britney has done work internationally in the Climate Change space and is the North American Youth Delegate Knowledge Holder for LCIPP within the UN.

Britney also works as a content creator on various social media platforms, where they speak on Indigenous issues, share Native humor, and dance for fun. They hope to continue growing their platform to showcase the Turtle Island Native experience to a larger, global audience.

Ella Thomson, May beads (they/them)
Panelist – 2SLGBTQIA+ in the Arts

Ella Thomson is a Métis artist from treaty one territory with familial ties to St Francis Xavier and Turtle Mountain. Ella is a Citizen of the Manitoba Métis federation and a proud member of the Two-Spirit Métis Local. Their primary medium is beadwork, taking inspiration from traditional Métis beadwork. They are also a student in Native Studies at the University of Alberta. They Most recently exhibited their work at McMullen Gallery and Latitude 53.

Shawnee Kish (she/her)
Performer, Panelist – 2SLGBTQIA+ in the Arts

Shawnee Kish's powerful soul voice is why hearing her is a one-of-a-kind experience. Shawnee's journey in music has been one that she attributes to her strength, survival, and inspiration during her struggle coming out as Two Spirit and her struggle with depression as a child. The Mohawk singer-songwriter from Canada was a 2022 JUNO nominee for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year, tied to her acclaimed self-titled debut EP. In 2023, she released her highly anticipated follow-up EP, Revolution, which landed her another Two JUNO nominations in Adult Alternative Album Of the Year, and Contemporary Indigenous Artist Of The Year. Revolution features her powerhouse vocals and introspective songwriting, as well as songwriting and production collaborations with industry luminaries, including Arkells frontman Max Kerman, Serena Ryder, Sara Quin of Tegan & Sara, and Dan Wilson (Adele, Taylor Swift). She was the winner of CBC Music's Searchlight competition in 2020 and was subsequently one of the winners of the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class program for artist development in 2021. A voice of determined passion, Shawnee is driven by empowering youth around her to use music and continues to honor healing and empower strength using her journey in music. Shawnee was the creator of "Music Is My Medicine," a symphonic work performed by Shawnee and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa for the CBC Gem show Undisrupted, highlighting the voices, stories of struggle, and talents of indigenous youth.

Shawnee works closely with Kids Help Phone and, in 2023, participated in an all- star recording of Serena Ryder's single "What I Wouldn't Do", released as a charity single to benefit Kids Help Phone's Feel Out Loud campaign for youth mental health.

Keith King (he/they)
Panelist – 2SLGBTQIA+ in STEM

Keith King (He/They) is a proud Michif Ayahkwew (Ah-yah-kway-oh or Two Spirit) Registered Nurse from Notikewin, Alberta, in Treaty 8 territory. They are of mixed English & Russian settler and Métis descent and live in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta), where they are a PhD candidate and researcher with the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta. Their research is working with the Métis Nation of Alberta to explore HPV-related cancer prevention across the homeland. They are also a sessional instructor at MacEwan University and practicing Public Health Nurse in the sexual health field. Keith is an oskapiew (ah-skap-ee-oh) to Dr. Elder Grandmother Doreen Spence from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, a member of Lii Taab Otapisimiwak (Oh-tah-pem-see-wak), and works closely with the Health Department at the Métis Nation of Alberta. Keith also volunteers with a number of communities, including the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Métis Nation of Ontario, the Manitoba Métis Federation, is co-chair of the board of directors for the Edmonton 2Spirit Society, and various charities. Keith is a co-founder of the Alberta Pain Strategy, inviting diverse community voices to the field of pain and bringing a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented perspective to his work in Indigenous and Queer health, mental health, and sexual health.

Riley McGinn (they/them)
Panelist – 2SLGBTQIA+ in STEM

Riley McGinn is a Métis-English 2-Spirit Business Analyst from amiskwaciwâskahikan with roots in Sakitawak. They graduated from BCIT with a diploma in Chemical & Environmental Technology in 2014 and worked in analytical chemistry for 6 years before transitioning into metallurgical accounting and data analytics. They are a cofounder of their company's first 2SLGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, called Queers & Allies, which provides connection and education opportunities for queer employees and their allies.

Dr. Andrew Volk (he/him)
Panelist – 2SLGBTQIA+ in STEM

Andrew Volk is a proud Métis Albertan and member of the Métis Nation of Alberta with the traditional names of Ducharme, Gladue, and Anderson. His family hails from the Red River. He was born in Region 3 of the Métis Nation of Alberta, situated in Treaty 7 territory and now resides in Region 4 in Treaty 6 territory. Andrew is a psychiatry resident at the University of Alberta.

Andrew has been actively involved in numerous projects aimed at improving community, mental health and the well-being of his fellow Métis Albertans. From being one of the first camp leaders in the Métis Youth Culture Camp to his contributions to the Métis-Trauma Informed Course for Child and Family Services (CFS) to traveling to remote Métis communities to combat the opioid crisis with harm-reduction resources, Andrew has always sought to create change at both micro and macro levels.

One of Andrew's proudest collaborations is co-founding the Indigenous Medical and Dental Students' Association, the first of its kind in Canada. Andrew served as the first chair ( now termed president ), past-chair, and alumni representative continuously since founding the organization. This association strives to create a supportive network for Indigenous students pursuing careers in all programs in the faculty of medicine and dentistry, that is grounded in distinctions based on traditional values and ways of knowing.

His work also includes spearheading the Métis Nation of Alberta Human Library Project, inspired by a similar initiative at the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. By collecting and disseminating the stories and experiences of Métis individuals, Andrew sought to bridge cultural divides and increase understanding.

Andrew's vision for the future is one that encompasses collaboration, mentorship, and community engagement. He plans on working in the rural Métis community in addiction and mental health. With a keen focus on enhancing near-peer mentorship at the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, he aspires to create an inclusive and nurturing environment that nurtures the growth and development of aspiring healthcare professionals. In his role as a Resident Lead for Student Support and Mentorship with the FoMD’s Wapanachakos Indigenous Health Program, Andrew meets with current and prospective medical students. His goal is to remove barriers and guide learners within the FoMD, creating a space where students and residents can thrive, collaborate, and contribute to the betterment of healthcare.

I'm an alumni of the Indigenous Health Program and am happy to meet with any interested potential or current indigenous medical students. Here’s a booking link that scans my calendar and looks for times when I’m available. https://calendar.app.google/udcD8se3Y77uUF418

Amanda Almond (she/her)
Presenter – tapahtêyimôkamik: A Humble Lodge for 2S+ Youth and Their Kinship Relations

Amanda Almond (she/her, Métis Nation of Alberta) is a Project Coordinator and Matriarchal Firekeeper at the University of Alberta. She coordinates research projects with Indigenous communities, including Indigenous 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth and their kinship relations, and Indigenous women in the academy.

Tracy Bradley (she/they)
Facilitator – Métis beaded flowers

Cheyenne Mihko Kihêw (they/them)
Edmonton 2 Spirit Society
Facilitator – Understanding Two-Spirit

Cheyenne Mihko Kihêw (they/them) is a proud nehiyaw/settler mixed person who hails from amiskwacîwâskahikan. Their maternal lineage is deeply rooted in the Driftpile Cree Nation, where they hold registered membership, while their paternal ancestry carries settler origins shrouded in mystery. As a grandchild of Residential School survivors, Cheyenne's upbringing unfolded outside of their own cultural heritage, marked by a journey defined by adversity and resilience. With a fervent commitment to cultural reclamation, Cheyenne is on a path to recover the traditional teachings and the nehiyawewin language lost within their immediate family due to the enduring impacts of colonization. Through personal experiences grappling with substance abuse and street involvement, Cheyenne bore witness to the transformative power of community and the pivotal role of front-line work for individuals seeking support. This firsthand insight ignited a passion for community-based endeavours, leading Cheyenne to immerse themselves in various national and local organizations. Currently serving as the ED of E2S and a Director of the Board of Directors for Boyle Street Education Centre, Cheyenne has emerged as a dedicated advocate and leader in their community. Unapologetic in their identity as a fat Indigi-queer and trans person, Cheyenne lives by the mantra "Aspire to Inspire," which serves as a constant reminder to always strive to be a positive force in the world and to empower others to embrace their truest and most authentic selves.

Trans Rights YEG
Facilitator – Combating Homophobic & Transphobic Attitudes in Educational Spaces

Kalyn Kodiak (she/her)
Facilitator – Métis Apothecary

Krista Leddy (she/her)
Creator – Colour is medicine: Art exercise

Bailey Stefan-Houle (she/her), Kya Twa (she/her), Drew Desjarlais(she/her)
Facilitators – Colour is medicine: Art exercise

Canada’s Drag Race Season 4 Winner, VENUS
Keynote speaker

Introducing the sensational VENUS, recently crowned Winner of Canada’s Drag Race Season 4. Hailing from Vancouver, Venus has been captivating audiences since the start of her drag career in 2017. A prominent member of non-binary drag supergroup ENBY6 and the drag progeny of Canada’s Drag Race Season 2 Finalist, Kendall Gender, VENUS has cemented herself within her local community and beyond. As a performer, she brings high energy, impeccable looks & an irresistibly charming charisma to the stage.

Beyond her impressive accomplishments as a drag artist, VENUS is also a supermodel in the making. Her runway prowess extends to New York Fashion Week, where she has graced the catwalk, and has been asked to perform alongside visionaries such as Teyana Taylor and Charli XCX.

As a Red River Métis two-spirit person, VENUS’ heart lies with her Métis family and ancestors in Manitoba, where she often visits to deepen her relationship with the land and her family’s history.

Blake Desjarlais 

Keynote speaker

Aura Leddy (she/they)
Movement Break – Métis Jigging Lesson leader

Alex Kusturok (he/him)
Fiddler – Métis Jigging Movement Break

Alex Kusturok has emerged as a formidable force in the world of traditional and contemporary fiddle music. Immersed in the rich Métis fiddle culture since childhood, Alex’s journey in music began in the lively old-time dances of Manitoba, where he accompanied his mother, Patti Kusturok. By age 7, his deep-seated passion for music was unmistakable, a passion that has since evolved into a flourishing career as both a performer and an educator. Alex’s music is a dynamic blend, heavily influenced by Quebecois and Cape Breton fiddle styles. However, the essence of Métis fiddling remains the heart and soul of his performances. The heart beat of his music lies in the power of his footwork and his versatility has kept him in high demand across Canada.

Avery Enzenauer (she/her)
Movement Break - Métis Jigging Lesson assistant

Host or Publisher Rupertsland Institute