Daryl Kootenay is a Traditional singer, dancer, artist, father and youth leader from the Stoney Nakoda Nation of Treaty 7 in southern Alberta. After graduating high school Daryl has travelled globally to volunteer his time in countries such as Peru, Nicaragua and Africa working with Canada World Youth first as a participant, then a intern and employment. Daryl had also became a part of Canada Worlds Youths Aboriginal youth committee and was a delegate at the World Conference of Indigenous Peoples in 2014. Daryl now dedicates his time locally working with the Stoney Nakoda youth and youth throughout the Bow Valley performing and teaching traditional art and dance. Daryl recently had coordinated a youth delegation of 6 from his home community to attend the Permanent Forum on indigenous peoples at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City April – May 2017.
Ariel Waskewitch is a Traditional Dancer, Singer, Artist, and mother of her two-year-old daughter from the Bighorn reservation apart of the Stoney Nakoda Nation. Ariel dedicates her time creating art primarily beadwork and shares her talents with indigenous and non-indigenous youth. Ariel is known for her Women’s Traditional Dancing, and was a Jr Princess for the Stoney Nakodas Golden Leaf Classic Powwow, and continues to make her mark on the Powwow trail. Ariel was a part of the youth Delegation from the Stoney Nakoda Nation that attended the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City where she was able to perform the Women’s Traditional dance at the Canadian Permanent Mission to the UN and again in Minnesota apart of the World Indigenous Peoples Decade of Water Summit. Ariel also loves to play baseball, volleyball and singing the night away at round dances.
Laine Mark: As a young Stoney Nakoda man, Laine is active in the Powwow Celebrations throughout Canada and United States. He is one of the lead singers of his families drum group “ Rumblin-Hillz” He keeps his traditional teachings on-going such as his language, culture, drum making, scraping hides, tans, and smokes hide for leather use and an adamant hunter in the fall and winter.
Dakota Crow Spreads His Wings: Is a young Stoney-Nakoda and Blackfoot descended young man, Traditional in drum making and working on hides, he has been singing at sundances since he can hold a drumstick. Dakota is an MRU Student, honoured for his academia for 2017 fall semester with Aboriginal Education Program and is currently enrolled for BA in Business Administration Program at MRU this Fall 2018.
Lionel Crow Spreads His Wings is a full-blooded Stoney Nakoda, born in Banff AB, he was raised with Sioux and Blackfoot Traditions. Lionel works for Canmore Collegiate High School as an Education Assistant serving and supporting our FNMI students. He has been singing with various powwow drum groups since his younger years. Lionel has been singing at sundances for over 25 yrs.