People

filmmaker Renae Morriseau

July 11, 1997

Especially our young women, they need to develop their skills in the ever-changing technology of today’s world. It is important to be aware of the technological advances in computer developments and science. These skills are necessary for our communities to be involved with the greater community of Canada.

— Renae Morriseau, Saulteaux/Cree, Peguis First Nations, Manitoba

Renae Morriseau is familiar as the character Ellen in the television series North of 60, but her accomplishments in broadcasting extend far beyond this visible role.

In her determination to ensure that First Nations voices are heard and stories told, Renae’s career over the last dozen years has spanned acting, filmmaking, writing, and producing.

Renae, age 36, was first introduced to television broadcasting when working at the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Iata Centre in Winnipeg. Her Within the Circle programmes, which were shown on the local community cable station, became teaching tools for the centre.

Renae went on to co-host, write, and produce segments for the show First Nations, a nationally broadcast Aboriginal news magazine programme.

In 1991, Renae created the Coyote Collective, a group of First Nations producers, directors, technicians, and writers from across Canada who are dedicated to advancing First Nations issues through broadcast television.

Her documentaries have won critical acclaim. In both 1994 and 1995, her work was honoured as best documentary by the Native American Journalists Association. In 1996, the American Indian Film Festival awarded her a Best Public Service plaque for her documentary Echoes of the Sister, about First Nations women and breast cancer, and an organization that showcases excellence in Canadian television, CANPRO, awarded her a Silver Medal Award for The Medicine Wheel.

Renae works with young people in leadership workshops and television training. She believes that this generation must take an active role in their communities.

This feature was first published on section15.ca’s predecessor site CoolWomen, reprinted with the permission of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada/Affaires indiennes et du Nord Canada.

resources for this story

• Renae Morriseau is one of ten young women featured in Aboriginal Women, MEETING THE CHALLENGES/Femmes autochtones, RELEVER LES DEFIS, a publication of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada/Affaires indiennes et du Nord Canada. To obtain a free copy of this booklet, telephone the inquiries kiosk at (819) 997-0380. | 1997
• Aboriginal Women, MEETING THE CHALLENGES/Femmes autochtones, RELEVER LES DEFIS, Ottawa: Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada, 1997
• Writing the Circle: Native Women of Western Canada edited by Joanne Perreault and Sylvia Vance, Edmonton: NeWest Publishers, 1990