WHO WE ARE
About the Indigenous Arts Knowledge Exchange
Indigenous Arts Knowledge Exchange (IAKE) was established with Indigenous artists in mind, recognizing the challenges posed by colonial training structures and institutions in Canada. It collaborates with Indigenous arts organizations such as Full Circle: First Nations Performance, the En’owkin Centre, the Centre for Indigenous Theatre, Debajehmujig Theatre Group, and the Gwaandak Theatre.
IAKE addresses the specific needs of Indigenous artists by developing self-determined and decolonized models for learning Indigenous arts, encompassing governance, metrics, and program design. Rooted in Indigenous values, IAKE advocates for the resilience of Indigenous arts in both urban and rural settings through mobile, community-based initiatives, including one-on-one mentoring, virtual platforms, land-based learning, and in-person sessions.
Our Vision
Our Vision
Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
Our Mission
Our Mission
The Seven Baskets
The Seven Baskets were identified and compiled by consultants France Trépanier and Chris Creighton-Kelly during circles in 2020-2021, with partner organizations including Full Circle: First Nations Performance, the En’owkin Centre, the Centre for Indigenous Theatre, Debajehmujig Theatre Group, Gwaandak Theatre, and Ondinnok Theatre.
Council Members
Meet the Indigenous Knowledge Exchange (IAKE) Council members
Margo Kane
Cree-Saulteaux Métis performing artist, Margo Kane is the Founder and Artistic Managing Director of Full Circle: First Nations Performance. For over 50 years she has been active as an actor, performing artist and community cultural worker. Her desire to share artistic performance that has meaning for her people is the catalyst for her extensive work, travels and consultation within Indigenous communities across Canada and abroad. Moonlodge, her acclaimed one-woman show, an Indigenous Canadian classic, toured for over 10 years nationally and internationally. The Sydney Press (AU) during the inaugural Festival of the Dreaming praised it as being ‘in the top echelon of solo performance.’
She developed and runs the annual Talking Stick Festival which celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2021 and numerous programs including Moccasin Trek: Arts on the Move!, Indian Acts and an Indigenous Producer’s Program in Vancouver. She is presently chair of IAKE, the Indigenous Arts Knowledge Exchange, a new national project for Learning in the Indigenous Arts.
She has received numerous awards and honors including an International Citation of Merit from ISPA – International Society for the Performing Arts, an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of the Fraser Valley, the Order of Canada from the Governor-General, an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from SFU – Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC. and most recently the National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring, Ottawa, ON Canada.
sumaxatkʷ-Tracey Kim Bonneau
sumaxatkʷ -Tracey Kim Bonneau is a proud member of the syilx nation born and raised on the unceded territorial lands of her people. sumaxatkʷ is an award-winning documentary Producer with over thirty years of experience in broadcast television, print, and radio.
sumaxatkʷ currently manages the National Indigenous Professional Artist Training Program (NIPAT) at the En’owkin Centre, located in Penticton British Columbia. The NIPAT Program has been in operation for over 20 years. The training program supports Indigenous artists in Canada to revitalize traditional art forms and practices in multi-disciplinary genres. The En’owkin Centre is a dynamic institution, which puts into practice the principles of self-determination and the validation of cultural aspirations and identity for syilx people. An Indigenous cultural, educational, ecological, and creative arts organization, En’owkin plays a lead role in the development and implementation of Indigenous knowledge and systems, both at the community and international levels.
Christine Sokaymoh Frederick
Christine Sokaymoh Frederick is an urban Cree-Métis with decades of experience in multiple artistic disciplines. She is Executive Director of Dreamspeakers Festival Society and producer of the Dreamspeakers International Indigenous Film Festival (DIIFF) and the Rubaboo Arts Festival.
She was the first Indigenous Associate Artist of the Citadel Theatre and first Indigenous board member of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and was the first Indigenous Chair of Edmonton Arts Council. She is the former Vice Chair of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and Treasurer of the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance. She served on the committees for the ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ one of the first Indigenous Public Art Parks. She’s attended the University of Alberta, the Banff Centre for Arts, and the University for Peace (Costa Rica).
She recently performed in the Rez Sisters at the Stratford Festival, SkirtsAFire’s production of Ayita, and in Bears at the Citadel Theatre, produced/performed in a dance theatre double-bill national tour of Bears by Matt MacKenzie and her own play Minosis Gathers Hope. In 2021 on behalf of the Canadian National Arts Centre, she produced the global Indigenous showcase for the 2020 Dubai World Expo. She currently serves on the Advisory committee for the City of Edmonton Indigenous Artist in Residence program and the national advisory committee for the National Arts Centre’s Creation Fund. She is the recipient of the 2007 Esquao Award in Arts, and the 2016 Mayor’s award for Excellence in Artistic Leadership and the 2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Matthew MacKenzie
Matthew MacKenzie is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta and proud father of Ivan (Eevan, Vanya, Vanichka). Artistic Director of Punctuate! Theatre, Matthew is also the founder and an Artistic Associate with Pyretic Productions, a founding member of the Pemmican Collective, as well as Canadian Liaison of the Liberian Dance Troupe. Matt’s plays include First Métis Man of Odesa, Bears, After the Fire and The Particulars.
Our Partners
Who They Are
Who They Are
Who They Are
Who They Are
Our Funders
The Indigenous Arts Knowledge Exchange would like to thank our funders for their ongoing support!
