Melissa-Jo Belcourt (MJ) comes from a rich Métis ancestry and possesses a wealth of cultural skills, acquired from Métis and First Nation Elders and Knowledge Holders throughout northern and central Alberta. Her passion lies in her cultural heritage where she continues to research to find better understanding of her ancestral legacy she follows. As a certified instructor, she has taught decorative arts and creative skills within Indigenous cultural art programs and continues to support the community both aboriginal and non-aboriginal in facilitating workshops to teach both the history and traditional art skills. Recognized in November 2006 with the city of Edmonton Salute to Excellence Citation and Performance Award for representing Alberta at the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival by exhibiting and demonstrating her Metis roots in art. In 2009, MJ was awarded the Aboriginal Role Model of Alberta Art Award for her work as an Artisan and as a recognized cultural art instructor. On September 8th, 2018 through the initiative of Canadians for a Civil Society MJ received the Daughter of the Year award. January 2019 MJ accepted the role as Edmonton’s Indigenous Artist in Residency.
Elder Ekti Margaret Cardinal, is an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper from Saddle Lake First Nations in north eastern Alberta who was raised in a family which maintained, practised and taught the values of Traditional Cree culture. She is a well-known Tipi and Tent Maker, who has taught and sold TIPIS at Lubicon/ Little Buffalo Band # 453, Blue Quills University, Ashmont School, Fringe Festival, Edmonton Folk Festival, Saddle Lake Education Authority, and Private individuals for personal use. She has developed and taught courses in a wide variety of indigenous traditional skills such as horse and moose hair wrapping, quill work, fish scale arts, caribou and moose tufting, various forms of bead works, moccasin making, talking sticks, mini-sweet grass basket making, beaded turtles, bears, buffalos, horse amulet pouches and their teachings, and hosts women’s gatherings yearly. Margaret Cardinal is a “Resident Kokoom”, one of the Elder and Knowledge and Language Holders at the Faculty of Education, at the University of Alberta.
