Allan Downey

Director

Allan Downey is Dakelh, Nak’azdli Whut’en, and an Associate Professor in the Department of History and Indigenous Studies Program at McMaster University. Author of The Creator’s Game (2018), Allan is a recent recipient of the 2019 Canada Prize and a Fulbright Fellowship to Columbia University where he continued to advance his research focused on the history of Indigenous nationhood, sovereignty, and self-determination. Beyond his research and teaching activities, one of Allan’s greatest passions is working with Indigenous youth and he volunteers for several Indigenous communities and youth organizations throughout the year.

Carlee Kawinehta Loft

Director

Carlee Kawinehta Loft is a motivated and community-minded, Kanien’kehá:ka woman. She works with and for her community as the Youth Engagement coordinator at Kahnawake Collective Impact. Carlee is passionate about art, community action, cultural revitalization, and youth empowerment. She strongly believes we each play an invaluable role in shaping the world for the next seven generations; this includes the responsibility to do what we can to empower each other – youth especially – to join in crafting a world we are proud of.

Saki Murotani

Animator / Designer

Saki Murotani is a freelance animator and illustrator, based in Vancouver, BC. For the last seven years she has been particularly involved in projects that evolve around Indigenous communities, academic research, non-profit organizations, and multidisciplinary performances. With her highly crafted animation she brings ideas, histories, and stories to life. Her passion lies in visual storytelling through anything from complex animation to simple illustration. Saki’s art, designs, and animations bring people and stories closer together.