While Indigenous peoples total only about 6% of the world's population, they represent 90% of the cultural diversity.
Indigenous peoples are spread across 70 countries worldwide.
Michelle Thrush Caring + Creative + Inspiring
"Giving Back"
Gemini Award winning Actress, and multi-award nominee, including Best Lead Actress and Best Actress in a TV series, powerhouse celebrity Michelle Thrush knows what it takes to light up a stage. Wit, humour, passion, and creativity are just a few of Michelle’s attributes, outside of celebrity, that draw her to stages world-wide. Whether she is speaking from her heart, hosting galas, or breaking down the barriers of stereotypes, Michelle engages, captivates, and moves audiences to feel and see her unique vision of life.
Since the age of 17, Michelle Thrush has been amazing audiences with her performances in theatre, on T.V., and in the movies. With an acting career spanning over 25 years, she is experienced and talented. Her list of accolades and awards reads like a who’s who for Canadian television and movies. Besides winning the 2011 Gemini Award, she has won the 2015 Rosie Awards and the 2014 AMPIA Awards. You can see Michelle’s performances in BLACKSTONE, MOCCASIN FLATS, MIXED BLESSINGS, NORTH OF 60 and ARCTIC AIR, the feature film JIMMY P with Benicio Del Toro, UNNATURAL AND ACCIDENTAL, PATHFINDER, DON'T CALL ME TONTO, BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE, DREAMKEEPER, and on the feature film DEADMAN where she was able to work with Johnny Depp.
Her family moved from Maple Creek, SK to Calgary where was born and raised. As a child she experienced the isolation of being the ‘only brown girl’ in her school.
One powerful influence in her life was her uncle Tom. He taught her first nations culture, dance and identity, encouraging her to always remember where she came from. Those ideas and influences sustained her through a tumultuous youth.
Michelle’s early acting career helped her see through the eyes of the characters she portrayed and nurtured her empathetic spirit. Through one of her idols, Gordon Tootoosis, Michelle learned that acting had the power to change people’s perceptions. While another of her idols, Carol Burnett, nurtured her love for healing hearts with humour.
Today outside of a professional acting career, Michelle brings her caring heart to youth through her creative characters, "Majica, the Aboriginal Healing Clown" and "Kookum Martha", a wise First Nations Elder. Through humour and intuition, Michelle’s characters bring inspiration and healing to her audiences.
Michelle’s career has taken her around the globe but today she still continues to live in Calgary, AB, alongside her family and two incredible daughters.
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An Evening with Michelle
Michelle’s talent to engage and captivate audiences is matched by her ability to entertain and humour those around her. Whether hosting galas, sharing her story in circle or address valued issues in a keynote, Michelle, carries her audience along on a high spirited journey. Michelle’s versatility and star quality will bring an unforgettable experience to your event.
Healing Through Creative Expressions
"Michelle uses her gift as an actor to promote healing through the arts to explore creative expression. Her work with youth and children is her greatest passion with characters such as Majica – The Aboriginal Healing Clown and Kookum Martha, a sprite old Indian Elder. Michelle is also well known for her community work across the country as a keynote and public speaker, addressing important issues through comedy and performance."
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Awards/Highlights
- 2015 - Rosie Awards "Best Performance by an Alberta Actress"
- 2014 - Canadian Screen Awards "Best Actress in a TV series"
- 2011 - Won; American Indian Movie Award- Best Supporting Actress. Blackstone
AMPIA Awards
- 2016 - Nominated; Best performance by an Alberta actress
- 2015 - Won; Best performance by an Alberta actress
- 2014 - Won; Best performance by an Alberta actress
- 2013 - Leo Award for Best Guest Star Appearance on CBC’s "Arctic Air"
- 2012 - Won; Best performance by an Alberta actress
- 2011 - Gemini Awards- Best performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role- Blackstone
- 2011 - Leo Awards-Nominated- Best Lead performance by a female in a dramatic series- Blackstone
Highlights
- 2012-2013 - Alberta Aboriginal Arts Role Model of the Year
- June 2013 - CBC named Michelle #2 on the Top 10 Influential Aboriginal People of 2013
- June 2013 - Michelle hosted The Aboriginal Day Live APTN
- Aug 2013 - She hosted Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards
- With over 40 credits in the film and television industry some of her credits include "North of 60", "Mixed Blessings" and "Moccasin Flats".
- Michelle has worked with legends such as Jack Palance (Ebeneezer) to Johnny Depp (Deadman) and her latest feature shot in the United States this summer "AKA Jimmy Picard"
- Michelle starred opposite Benicio Del Toro.
Speaker Categories:
Youth Champions Master of Ceremonies and Facilitators Authors and Storytellers Filmmakers Healthy Relationships Leadership and Mentorship Mental Health Motivation Womens Issues Actors Entertainers and CelebritiesSince the age of 17, Michelle Thrush has been amazing audiences with her performances in theatre, on T.V., and in the movies. With an acting career spanning over 25 years, she is experienced and talented. Her list of accolades and awards reads like a who’s who for Canadian television and movies. Besides winning the 2011 Gemini Award, she has won the 2015 Rosie Awards and the 2014 AMPIA Awards. You can see Michelle’s performances in BLACKSTONE, MOCCASIN FLATS, MIXED BLESSINGS, NORTH OF 60 and ARCTIC AIR, the feature film JIMMY P with Benicio Del Toro, UNNATURAL AND ACCIDENTAL, PATHFINDER, DON'T CALL ME TONTO, BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE, DREAMKEEPER, and on the feature film DEADMAN where she was able to work with Johnny Depp.
Her family moved from Maple Creek, SK to Calgary where was born and raised. As a child she experienced the isolation of being the ‘only brown girl’ in her school.
One powerful influence in her life was her uncle Tom. He taught her first nations culture, dance and identity, encouraging her to always remember where she came from. Those ideas and influences sustained her through a tumultuous youth.
Michelle’s early acting career helped her see through the eyes of the characters she portrayed and nurtured her empathetic spirit. Through one of her idols, Gordon Tootoosis, Michelle learned that acting had the power to change people’s perceptions. While another of her idols, Carol Burnett, nurtured her love for healing hearts with humour.
Today outside of a professional acting career, Michelle brings her caring heart to youth through her creative characters, "Majica, the Aboriginal Healing Clown" and "Kookum Martha", a wise First Nations Elder. Through humour and intuition, Michelle’s characters bring inspiration and healing to her audiences.
Michelle’s career has taken her around the globe but today she still continues to live in Calgary, AB, alongside her family and two incredible daughters.
Speaker Summary
Location: Canada
Language: English
Website: Click Here
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