Last updated: Sep 30, 2023
Artistic Director
ILTER IBRAHIMOF
Thank you for joining us for
Tkaronto Open
Produced by Freddy Gipp
Tkaronto Open is the newest addition to the Fall for Dance roster. An Indigenous dance competition conceived and co-produced by award winning Indigenous dancer Freddy Gipp (Indigenous Liberation, FFDN 2022). A tournament style competition of Indigenous traditional dance, featuring Jingle Dress Dance. All proceeds from the $15 (+HST and fees) contestant fee will be donated to Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto.
Co-presented with:
Produced with
Community partner
Josee Bourgeois
Erin Bell (Donnelly)
Diane Simon
Marley Fairfield
Aerial Sunday-Cardinal
Beedoskah Stonefish
Taiann Devine
Laryn Oakes
Mandy Bomberry
Delia Pridham
Mckayla Lambert
Keyah Doxtarter
Marie Snake O'Reilly
Abby Carpenter
Rhonda White
Tara Kiwenzie
Jocelyn White
Lena Recollet
Candida Sinopole
Sarah Smoke
Tee Duke
Deanna Pashe
Alanna Pashe
Samantha Miller
Melissa Redsky
Kendra Jessie
Sheena Kitchemokman
Wynona Maracle
Destiny Cardinal
Lisa Marie Lavallee
Aurora Lavallee
Sadie Turner
Adrianna Douglas
Tonye Ibama
Tasha Jacko
Nathalie Restoule
Lyndsay Stephen
Freddy Gipp. Photo by Bruce Zinger.
Freddy Gipp is the son of Albert and Freda Gipp and the grandson of the late Burgess and Millicent Tapedo. He is an enrolled member of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma.
A graduate of the University of Kansas, where he studied advertising and marketing at the William Allen White School of Journalism. Within the past three years, Gipp has successfully raised over $60,000 to emphasize the importance of cultural tourism and recreational traveling.
Thunder Jack. Image courtesy of artist.
Knowledge Keeper Thunder Jack is Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee from Oneida Nation of the Thames. Knowledge Keeper Jack shares his knowledge of Indigenous identity, historical and present happenings that have impacted Indigenous peoples generationally. Raised with Traditional teachings from these two Nations, he is a member of the Smoke Trail Singers Pow Wow drum group, a lead singer for All Nations Singers and a champion dancer. Knowledge Keeper Jack is an intricate part of the Urban Indigenous Education Centre at the Toronto District school Board as a Cultures and Traditions Instructor.
Acosia Red Elk. Image courtesy of artist.
Acosia Red Elk is an Enrolled Member of the Umatilla Tribe from Northeastern Oregon territory. Acosia is a 10x World Champion Jingle Dancer and world renowned Performing Artist. She is also an International Yoga Instructor, Glass Artist, Cultural Teacher and Wellness Advocate, known for public speaking/ storytelling, Tribal Dance Performance, Indigenizing Fitness, Teaching Yoga from a Tribal Lens and teaching Powwow Dance to Tribal Youth across Turtle Island. Acosia travels the world sharing cultural knowledge, Movement and Meditation. She is passionate about sharing the practice of Yoga and universal movement as a way to heal from historical & Intergenerational trauma. Spreading awareness about the healing benefits of Yoga, culture, movement and the power of thought, used daily to release stress, trauma & pain held in the body and mind. Acosia is the creator of Powwow/Yoga, a fusion practice that braids together Tribal Dancing and Yoga for a well rounded Workout with an Indigenous approach to wellness. Acosia leads classes with a 7 Generation Approach, Teaching us that everything that we do should be done with a sustainable mindset to Protect what is sacred. Acosia is an Advocate for health and wellness and encourages all people on earth to recognize the Indigenous knowledge within them so that they can continue to build bridges and protect earth's resources for the future generations and beyond.
Ruben Littlehead Sr. Image courtesy of artist.
Ruben Littlehead Sr was born and raised on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Southeastern Montana in both districts of Tongue River and Lame Deer. Currently residing in Lawrence, Kansas. He is the father of four beautiful children. He has been Emceeing powwows throughout Indian Country all over the United States and Canada. Ruben feels privileged to voice for celebrations and gatherings that bring the people together and is truly honored to serve as Master of Ceremonies for Tkaronto Open. And, to the powwow committee, may all your hard work, sacrifice, and dedication be recognized as you host another fine celebration to honor our traditions through song and dance!
Check out 4th season of FFDN's in-house podcast Mambo! Don’t miss Episode 1, featuring Freddy Gipp and Thunder Jack in conversation with Mambo co-host Nicole Inica Hamilton.
Listen NowWhile you are in the West Wing today, take some time to enjoy the artwork decorating the walls of the space. This exhibition entitled, We Are Still Here is a collective of vibrant works produced by Union in partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund and sponsored by TD which features work by artist Blake Angeconeb.
Blake is an Anishinaabe woodlands artist who is part of the Caribou clan and a proud member of Lac Seul First Nation. Blake is most known for blending the school of woodlands art with pop culture references, deliberately deconstructing and re-contextualizing Western and Indigenous art with his own imagination and story telling. You can find more information about this exhibit on the didactic panels orby visiting torontounion.ca.
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Leadership
Ilter Ibrahimof - Artistic Director
Aviva Fleising - General Manager
Melissa Forstner - Director of Advancement and Philanthropy
Lily Sutherland - Executive Producer
Sheila O'Neill - Marketing & Communications Manager
Milana Glumicic - Producer, Digital Programming
Melina Osorio - Finance and Advancement Officer
Faith Buchanan - Education & Residency Coordinator
Simon Rossiter - Director of Design
Felicia Myronyk - Advancement Officer
Seasonal Staff
Leah Totten - Festival Coordinator
Nikki Chabrol - Volunteer Coordinator
Emma Haynes - Festival Intern
Julia Mak - Administrative Assistant
Alexis Eunick - Community Arts Coordinator
Bradley Langham - Box Office Manager
Barney Bayliss - Director of Production
Zita Nyarady - Company Manager
Haleigh Eady - Company Manager
Year-Round Collaborators
Web Development & Graphic Design Team - Mouth Media
Additional Graphic Design & Animation - Eric Rochon (Brood Studios)
Publicity & Communications - Murray Patterson Marketing Group
Financial Services - Robert Gore and Associates
To read more about our team and their bios, please visit the Our Village page on the FFDN website.
Fall For Dance North Board of Directors
Chair Valerie Wilder
Past Chair Joan Lozinski, O.C.
Philanthropist
Treasurer Gerry Hannochko
Advising Representative (Portfolio Manager), Dealing Representative - Qwest Investment Fund Management Ltd.
Aleksandar Antonijevic
Fine Art Photographer, Teacher, Coach and Stager of Ballets
Peggy Baker, C.M., O.Ont, L.L.D, D.Litt
Dancer, Choreographer, Educator, Artist-in-Residence, Canada's National Ballet School
Erin Eizenman
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, MaRS Discovery District
Tanya Howard
First Soloist, The National Ballet of Canada
Jim Hwang
Chief Operating Officer, Firinne Capital
Emma Sako
Senior Associate, Torys LLP
Karen Sparks
Director, Philanthropic Advisory Services BMO Private Wealth
Zdenko Teply
Director, Strategic Transactions & Review, Scotiabank
Check out FFDN's in-house podcast Mambo - new season out now!
FFDN is Toronto’s premier professional international dance festival that exists to break boundaries and remove barriers.
With pluralism and affordability at its core, FFDN celebrates, nurtures and amplifies established and emerging Canadian dance artists, creates global connections, and inspires future audiences to sustain the artform.
Read more about our Mission & Values.
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