IATSE 891 CELEBRATES NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time dedicated to learning the history, recognizing the resilience, and celebrating the cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. This month serves as an opportunity for Canadians to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the many ways Indigenous people have enriched the arts, culture, equity, and safety of our industry and communities.
IATSE 891 is committed to honouring Indigenous cultures by providing REDI training opportunities, promoting Indigenous voices, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, and more. We encourage our members to continue learning, listening, and engaging.
In celebration of National Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, let’s look back on some of our past Member and Artist Spotlights and Indigenous-led projects and events.
“IATSE 891 and its members acknowledge the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. We offer this acknowledgement as a declaration of our intent for respectful conduct on this land and our commitment to adopting reconciliation as our collective responsibility.” Watch the full IATSE 891 Equity Statement video here.
MEMBER AND ARTIST SPOTLIGHTS
In June 2023, we interviewed Blais Michell, member of 891’s Paint and Construction Departments. Blais took us along on his journey into motion picture production as someone who grew up on the Musqueam Indian reserve and shares how union members can recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Combining his early experiences in the world of construction and his love for storytelling, Blais found his way into set painting, and eventually joined the Union’s Paint and Construction departments. Blais talks about the importance of forming connections, some of his core memories from set, his love for storytelling, and life behind the scenes.
“The truth needs to be understood and needs to be told. A lot of our older generation have been completely wronged and cast aside like we didn't matter. No one should get to say you're any less just because of the colour of your skin or your background.”
Read the full Spotlight on Blais Michell here.
In September 2023, IATSE 891 commissioned Indigenous artist Calvin Charlie-Dawson to create two designs as part of the Union’s efforts towards reconciliation. The designs include incorporating the traditional Coast Salish artform into the 891 logo, and an Orange Shirt design for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. These designs give a visual presence of Coast Salish culture and remind us of our collective commitment to reconciliation.
Calvin Charlie-Dawson (Ts'kanchtn) is a descendant of the Squamish, the Kwakwaka'wakw, and the Stó:lō peoples. While his artwork spans many forms, he primarily focuses on canoe carving – a practice done by his ancestors since time immemorial and a pillar of his Squamish heritage.
The Indigenous IATSE 891 logo Calvin designed draws inspiration from traditional Coast Salish style art, known for its abstract forms, two-toned compositions, and use of positive and negative space. This differs from Northwest Coast style art, which has been more prominently represented throughout the Lower Mainland art scene over the past century.
“The beauty of Coast Salish style art is it is really simple and two-dimensional. It uses three basic shapes - the circle, a crescent, and a trigon, which is a three-point piece. You could use variations of those three shapes to create our art style and fit them into any canvas to create a piece.”
“I chose for the outside of the 891 logo the traditional form of a bird. The main symbol for the Squamish people is the Thunderbird, and I did a bit of a variation of a Thunderbird to give it a bit more of a Squamish representation, and to give it a kind of signature for this new relationship that I now have created with the Union.”
Learn more about Calvin Charlie-Dawson and his story here.
In June 2025, we interviewed Namowan Kirby, a non-status Ojibway member of the IATSE 891 Grips Department.
With over 15 years in the industry and credits that include Shōgun, The Art of Racing in the Rain, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Namowan is also a screenwriter and one of the founders of Tatus Creative — an organization amplifying Indigenous artists, actors, background actors, producers and directors to advance authentic representation and inclusion of Indigenous peoples in the arts and entertainment industries.
Resilience and adaptability are two traits Namowan considers essential, especially in the ever-evolving film industry. He attributes these qualities in part to his experiences growing up Indigenous at a time when there were few Native students in public schools and where he often faced bigotry, racism, and prejudice.
Today, Namowan is grateful to see greater diversity emerging in leadership roles across the industry.
“It's really cool to see our industry become a place where we can express ourselves professionally and where we're welcomed and acknowledged for our gifts.”
Read the full interview with Namowan Kirby here.
INDIGENOUS ARTISANS MARKET
On June 9, 2024, IATSE 891 partnered with Tatus Creative to co-host an Indigenous Maker’s Market to celebrate National Indigenous History Month, while also marking the official launch of Tatus Creative Society and Tatus Talent Agency.
Tatus Creative is a registered non-profit organization, committed to carving a meaningful footprint within the entertainment industry and Arts communities, championing the talent of Indigenous artists in Canada and around the world.
The vendor lineup was thoughtfully curated to showcase Indigenous art, craftmanship, and goods that would also appeal to IATSE 891 members for use in motion picture production. With a total of 26 market vendors and a Tradish food truck serving Indigenous cuisine on site, the inaugural Indigenous Maker’s Market was a tremendous success.
See the full list of artists and vendors from the 2024 Indigenous Maker’s Market here.
One year later, on June 8, 2025, IATSE 891 and Tatus Creative reunited for the second Indigenous Artisans Market. Joining the organizing team this year was Supernaturals Modelling, who presented an Indigenous fashion show recognizing Indigenous designers, culture, and representation.
Supernaturals Modelling is the world’s first and only all-Indigenous modelling agency. With a focus on healthy and high-end representation, Supernaturals works with top brands and organizations across Canada to help redefine how Indigenous people are seen in media.
Supernaturals Modelling Fashion Show from the 2025 Indigenous Artisans Market.
INDIGENOUS DESIGN WORKSHOPS
On February 15, 2024, the IATSE 891 Training Department held the Indigenous Costume Design Workshop led by Doreen Manuel and Carmen Thompson.
Doreen Manuel is an Indigenous (Secwepemc/Ktunaxa) artist and educator with a passion for advancing authentic representation and inclusion of Indigenous peoples in film. Doreen has over 22 years of experience in the film industry and 40 years of experience in teaching. She is also a founding member of Capilano University’s Indigenous Digital Accelerator.
Carmen Thompson (Diitiidaht/Kyuquot/Coast Salish) is an award-winning costume designer who has been building costumes for theatre, television, music videos, and feature films for over 15 years with more than 60 credits to her name.
The two-part workshop began with an instructional session exploring the history of Indigenous representation in media, followed by an in-depth examination of Doreen’s Indigenous clothing exhibit. The collection consists of hundreds of traditional and contemporary clothing items dating from the early 1900s to present day, many of which were featured in the film and TV series Bones of Crows.
Participants were introduced to both “old style” and contemporary Indigenous designs through hands-on learning opportunities. They handled raw materials, examined partially assembled clothing pieces, practiced the art of porcupine quill stitching, and gained a better understanding of sourcing Indigenous materials and supplies.
It is significantly important to understand that to the Indigenous, their clothing – while utility in nature – was equipped to respond to the environment. Just as importantly, each part of the clothing also held noteworthy spiritual and cultural prominence. Clothing adornment told a story and defined the wearer’s identity.
"Wonderful course. More like this please!” said one Union member after participating in the workshop.
From right to left: Instructors Carmen Thompson and Doreen Manuel with their Teaching Assistants.
Following the well-received feedback from the Indigenous Costume Design Workshop, the IATSE 891 Training Department held the Authentic Indigenous Representation in Film Workshop on September 21, 2025, with Doreen Manuel and Tony Solomon.
The workshop mainly replicated the 2024 Costume Design Workshop, offering an opportunity for members who were unable to attend previously, or wished to refresh their knowledge. This year, Tony Solomon was invited to guide participants through a hands-on demonstration of erecting a traditional teepee, sharing teachings on the meaning behind its design as a traditional home, along with proper handling and photography protocols.
Tony Solomon has operated a lucrative business in Indigenous fashion and has made, rented and sold teepees for many years across Canada. His teepees have been featured at countless events throughout BC and Alberta.
In both workshops, the common goal was to promote greater understanding, respect, and authenticity in the representation of Indigenous cultures and material practices.
Learn more in our 2024 Spotlight on Doreen Manuel here.
APPLE BOX TALKS: MIKELLE SASAKAMOOSE
In June 2025, the Apple Box Talks podcast featured local activist and school board trustee Mikelle Sasakamoose – the first-ever Director of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation for the City of Burnaby.
Mikelle is a member of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, but also Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and Syilx. She was born and raised on her reserve in Kamloops and lived there her whole life before moving with her family to live on the traditional and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Kwikwetlem Peoples.
Shaped by her family’s long history of advocacy and her own lived experiences, Mikelle has been working collectively with others in her community to dismantle systemic racism in silos and to indigenize colonial spaces.
In this episode, Mikelle discusses the City’s ongoing reconciliation efforts, including National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations and the Hope and Health Community Camp. In conversation with 891 Business Representative Crystal Braunwarth and Assistant Business Representative Hillary Bergshoeff, Mikelle speaks on the lasting impacts of residential schools, the importance of education and accountability, and how we can amplify authentic Indigenous voices while creating meaningful opportunities for future generations.
"We want people to be able to enjoy and celebrate our culture, our rich and vibrant cultures—plural—and languages...that's really what I see June and National Indigenous Peoples Day being about."
Listen to the full episode with Mikelle Sasakamoose here.
Interested in learning about similar workshops, events, and opportunities? Have questions about IATSE 891’s work on reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion? Email abr@iatse.com.
Are you an Indigenous 891 member interested in being interviewed for a Member Spotlight? Email communications@iatse.com.
Read more 891 Member Spotlights here!
