Guests

Adrian is a roots-rocker-with-heart from the remote village of Attawapiskat in Ontario’s Far North. His melding of roots, rock, folk, and blues creates a signature sound and style all his own, drawing inspiration from his life, the land, and his Cree language and culture. Adrian earned JUNO nominations in 2022 and 2025, and won ‘Best Americana Album’ from the 2025 World Entertainment Awards in Los Angeles. His sophomore solo album Precious Diamonds was recorded in Nashville with GRAMMY-winner Colin Linden, and released in 2024. Named one of the ‘Top 100 Albums of 2024’ by CKUA Radio, it features two songs in Cree – marking the first time Adrian is making music in his first language. Lead single Notawe (Father) reached #1 on the internationally recognized Indigenous Music Countdown, and ranked in the ‘Top 100 Songs of 2023’ by CBC Music. Before his solo career, Adrian was the singer and songwriter for the band, Midnight Shine, releasing three albums. Adrian recently completed wri…

Angela is an elder originally from Attawapiskat First Nation and has been involved with the Cree language for the past 40-plus years in translating, interpreting, or teaching. Angela is a survivor of St. Anne’s Indian Residential School in Fort Albany, where she endured physical and sexual abuse. In recent years, she has advocated for and represented other survivors of St. Anne’s in court and in the media. She is currently the Native Language Coordinator at the Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre in Timmins.

Geraldine is a member of Moose Cree First Nation and resides in Moose Factory, Ontario. Over the span of 45 years, she has held several senior management positions in regional social and health organizations. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Native Studies from Trent University, Geraldine moved back to Moose Factory in 1980. She was instrumental in generating an interest in and revival of the Cree culture and traditional spirituality among young adults and youths and has helped to bring ceremonies to Moose Factory and workshops that recognize the role of our elders and the cultural knowledge that they hold. Geraldine is currently the Director of Language & Cultural Programs at Moose Cree First Nation. Working with elders and linguists, she has led the team in publishing four editions of the Moose Cree Dictionary, a Moose Cree Grammar, a storybook as well as eight children’s readers and the development of three language apps.

Greg Spence is a community organizer, educator, and musician based in Moose Factory. Originally from Fort Albany, Greg has decades of experience working as a Cree translator and teacher and continues to be consulted about the Cree language and culture. He founded and coordinated Cree Fest, an annual cultural festival hosted in different Mushkegowuk communities every summer for more than 20 years. Greg also plays bass and guitar and over the years has performed live across the region.

Jocelyn is from Moose Cree First Nation and has been learning the Cree language for the past 40-plus years by being around speakers when she lived in Moose Factory and most recently by taking a Cree class in Thunder Bay. Jocelyn grew up in Moose Factory where she attended Ministik school and learned Cree from her teachers Bea, Eleanor and Stella. She attended university in Peterborough and Winnipeg to study environment sciences. In recent years, she has worked in environment and sport for First Nation organizations. She is currently working at World Wildlife Fund – Canada as Senior Specialist, Conservation Management and Integration for the Hudson and James Bay Lowlands.

Originally from Fort Albany First Nation, Jules Spence is a broadcaster with Wawatay Radio based in Timmins. For about 40 years, he has provided daily programming in Cree to the James Bay communities. He is currently the lead guitarist and singer of the rock band, the Swamp Rockers. Jules also played lead guitar in the beloved James Bay classic song, “Pretty Girl” by the late John Larry Rodrique.

Robert (aka Bobby) is chief of Fort Albany First Nation. He was raised in his home community by his great-aunt and uncle Margaret and Joseph (Jojeep) Wheesk and completed his last two years of elementary school in Moosonee, Ont. He completed high school in Timmins, Ont., and returned to his community. He entered politics as a band councillor for his First Nation and before serving two terms as the deputy chief. In 2020, he was elected chief and served one term before voluntarily stepping away. He re-entered politics this year and was elected as chief of Fort Albany in October 2025 for his second term.