Elder Jo-anne Gottfriedson

Madelaine McCallum is a gifted dancer, motivational speaker, facilitator, and MC — a true, multi-faceted creative. She is from Ile a la Crosse, Saskatchewan and brings passion with a gentle yet powerful presence to the stage whether she is there to share one of her inspiring Speaks or she has been asked to dance, or MC.

She has a passion for sharing her knowledge of dance and culture and doesn’t shy away from sharing her story of survival, knowing that dance has been an outlet and saviour throughout her life.

Though she is often known immediately for her Métis dance (she’s been jigging since she could walk!), she loves all forms including Pow Wow, contemporary, hip hop, and movement from the soul. She has created traditional and fitness-based dance workshops including Pow Wow Impact, Jig Fit, Pow Wow Zumba, and traditional Pow Wow and Jigging workshops.

Invite Madelaine to take you through a path of perspectives, sharing stories, and changing the way you feel about the past by offering tools towards releasing what no longer serves you and healing your life forward.

Madelaine has been a company dancer with V’ni Dansi for 16 years. She co-directed and stared in a feature documentary “Dancing Through” telling the story of her journey as a breast Cancer survivor which has reached international success with multiple awards one example is  “Best Documentary feature at Rethink Dance festival”. Her film ‘Strong Earth Woman won award for “Best Experimental Film at Festival du Film Étudiant 2021”

 Madelaine trusts that what is meant for her will come to fruition and meet her at the right time. She knows that the Ancestors have a plan and she is grateful for every experience.

Warren Clarmont is the Provincial Director of Indigenous Cancer Control at BC Cancer and was born and raised in the Hazelton area, which is located in the northwest central part of BC. He is a member of the Gitanmaax Band of the Gitxsan First Nation through his mother, with French and English roots on his father’s side.

Prior to joining BC Cancer in October 2018, Warren spent 14 years working for the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres leading the Indigenous health policy team. Warren is also a cancer survivor of 13 years, and currently resides in Victoria with his wife and 2 children in the traditional and unceded territories of the Lekwungen peoples, otherwise known as the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.