Indigenous Storyteller Showcase
Michelle Thrush
Michelle Thrush has worked professionally in film, television, and theatre for more than 30 years. She is a multi award winning actress that did her first film at the age of 17 called Isaac Little Feathers, which was filmed in Edmonton in 1984. Michelle knew she wanted to do something with her life that created change for Indigenous people, not realizing at the time acting would become her career.
Ms. Thrush is best known for her intense character performances including her leading role as Gail Stoney on the APTN hit series BLACKSTONE. For this stunning portrayal she was awarded the Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role, as well as 4 Rosie Awards for Best Alberta Actress in Film and Television, In 2015 she received a Leo Award for her role on Arctic Air, and then in 2019 she was honoured with the August Schellenburg Award of Excellence for her career in the film industry.
Other television credits include her regular role in Sky Atlantic’s popular series TIN STAR, opposite Tim Roth and Christina Hendricks, ARCTIC AIR, MOCCASIN FLATS, MIXED BLESSINGS, and her role as Stevie Lebret on the epic series North Of 60. Her most recent work can be seen on the CBC limited series BONES OF CROWS coming out in 2022. Some of her feature film credits include AKA: JIMMY P, opposite Benicio Del Torro. This film was up for a Palme d’OR award and Michelle was honoured to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015. Other feature films include UNNATURAL AND ACCIDENTAL, PATHFINDER, DEADMAN, DON’T CALL ME TONTO, BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE, and the soon to be released Predator film THE PREY. Michelle is the current Artistic Director of Making Treaty 7 in Calgary.
A theatre company she helped found in 2012. Michelle writes and directs theatre and also toured with her award winning solo show INNER ELDER. She has been busy directing and producing, as well as writing for this company. Her most passionate work is in community with her two characters Kookum Martha, and Majica. She developed these characters to work with Indigenous children and youth, utilizing comedy and hard hitting truth to influence her audiences. Michelle has been a sought after motivational speaker at conferences across North America for the last 25 years sharing her story of overcoming the many obstacles she faced growing up.
Michelle is Cree with French and Scottish on both sides of her parents. Her family comes from Maple Creek Saskatchewan in treaty 4. Part of her family are from Nekaneet First Nation and the other part are Metis. She has always felt comfortable walking in both worlds and this has allowed her to use her voice with children and youth promoting culture and overcoming diversity. She has utilized the teachings of her family’s cultural strengths alongside growing up in the city to find her voice as a role model and advocate for women. Michelle’s greatest achievement to date is her two beautiful daughters which she admits were a co production. She currently resides with her daughters in Mohkinstsis (Calgary Alberta) and is continuing to act, direct and produce Indigenous led projects.
June 19 -25, 2022
“Keeping the Circle Strong through
Language and Culture.”
AAWC Circle Presents
June 19, 2022 (Sunday)
Indigenous Variety Showcase
June 25, 2022, (Saturday)
Indigenous Handgames
Tournament
June 25, 2022, (Saturday)
National Indigenous
Family Day & POWOW
Thank you 2022 sponsors & partners
AAWC Circle
