The Hnatyshyn Foundation - University of Saskatchewan Scholarship for Indigenous Students in Drama
Established in 2022, this program consists of an annual $12,500 (formerly $10,000) scholarship to recognize the academic achievement of an Indigenous undergraduate student in drama studying in the University of Saskatchewan’s wîcêhtowin Theatre program. The Foundation is particularly proud of this partnership because Ray and Gerda Hnatyshyn were both alumni of The University of Saskatchewan.
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The wîcêhtowin Theatre program is a transformative certificate program in performance and theatre design. This comprehensive and experience-based learning approach for emerging First Nations, Métis, and Inuit actors, playwrights and designers—as well as students interested in an Indigenous perspective—delivers meaningful and principled skills in the areas of performance and technical theatre design.
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Keiorah Dufresne is an actor and theatre artist pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Saskatchewan.
Photo: Keiorah Dufresne as Eugenia in Women of the Fur Trade by Frances Koncan, directed by Deneh’Cho Thompson, Emrys Jones Theatre, University of Saskatchewan
Before becoming a student in the fall of 2023, Keiorah was attending Chief Napew Memorial School in Big Island Lake Cree Nation, where she grew up most of her life. Keiorah always had interest in film, acting, design and art in general from a young age, but didn’t have access to many opportunities to pursue these interests. In seventh grade, she was presented with an opportunity to star in a play at Pierceland Central School. This was her first play, and was directed and presented by a teacher at the school that taught her younger sister at the time. She starred in five different roles, which she enjoyed from beginning to end. From then on, her desire to act and design was ignited. Keiorah jumped at any artistic opportunity, celebrating milestones such as starring in OLI (Outside Looking In) at Meridian Hall alongside family and friends from her community. After graduation, she applied to the University of Saskatchewan, where she is now in the fourth year.
Keiorah has come a long way, thanks to her hard work and dedication to pursue what she has always wanted to do. Within the last four years, she has been in productions such as: Women of the Fur Trade (actor), Hamletmachine (Assistant Stage Manager) and several plays celebrating the 80th anniversary of the University of Saskatchewan’s Drama program.
Keiorah is inspired by her fellow students in the drama department such as Scott Eaton – she finds his performances come naturally to him and an inspiration to many who know him. Her teachers such as Deneh'Cho Thompson, Bruce Sinclair, Beverly Kobelsky, Carla Orosz, Kenneth MacKenzie, Fraser Stevens, and many more within the Drama department have helped and inspired her to keep going in her drama career. Ultimately, her partner, Alexander Nelson has inspired her the most, either to keep going even while afraid and to be strong in the face of adversity.
Photo: Keiorah Dufresne as Eugenia in Women of the Fur Trade by Frances Koncan, directed by Deneh’Cho Thompson, Emrys Jones Theatre, University of Saskatchewan. Also featured: Kaeleigh Folk as Cecilia (left) and Ava Johnson as Marie-Angelique (right).
"I am honoured to be one of the lucky people to have been granted this prestigious scholarship. It supports my education and well-being, has improved my perspective on my future and my ability to achieve it, and has granted me access to so many wonderful opportunities that I would not otherwise have, including looking into programs that will help my future career as an actor."
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Gabe Martell (he/they) is pursuing a major in drama with a minor in English. Recently, they played E2 in 10 Out of 12 (by Anne Washburn, directed by Clare Middleton, 2024) and were the sound designer for Brainstorm (by Ned Glasier, Emily Lim, and Company Three, directed by Shannon Blanchet, 2025).
Gabe Martell (lower left) with the cast of 10 out of 12 (2024) at the University of Saskatchewan’s Greystone Theatre.
Gabe thanks the professors who continue to inspire him, including Ken Mackenzie and Deneh’Cho Thompson, for assisting him in fuelling his emotions and passion into what he does and for never giving up on him and his classmates, and Carla Orosz, for guiding him towards a future in stage design. Gabe is a member of the Waterhen Lake First Nation and is of mixed Indigenous and settler descent. He is in the second generation of his family to pursue university studies. Gabe wishes to thank his band, particularly his father, for their ongoing support.
“My father, Robert Martell, has been there to help ground me while I came across many challenges with my mental health and with feelings of self-doubt as I sought to learn about my Indigenous roots as an Indigenous person who presents as white. After enrolling at the University of Saskatchewan, I feel more comfortable with my identity, as my peers and teachers have created an open and understanding space for others and myself. This award means a great deal to me, and I will utilize it to continue growing as an Indigenous theatre artist.”
Poster for the University of Saskatchewan Drama performance of Ayapîhk: An Indigenous Story (2025), by Gabe Martell and the Drama 298 Indigenous Playwriting class.
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Darius Kiskotagan enjoys the collaborative nature of theatre and hopes to establish an independent company where emerging artists like him can showcase their work.
“I know a number of creative, hard working artists that have yet to be fully recognized. I hope this venture could serve as a stepping off point into larger opportunities.”
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Leze Pewapsconias is from Little Pine First Nation reserve in Saskatchewan. Her hope is to bring theatre training back to the reserve, explaining:
“I ultimately believe the arts and drama are a gateway to self-actualization, positive mental and physical health, and [that they] will continue to set my people down, as they have for me, a positive path of healing.”
In the summer of 2023, Pewapsconias worked with SUM Theatre in Saskatoon as an actor in an ensemble cast. At the University of Saskatchewan, she has been in multiple Greystone Theatre productions, including The Secret in the Wings by Mary Zimmerman, directed by Treena Stubel, Gordon Winter by Kenneth T. Williams, directed by Deneh'Cho Thompson, and Sir John A. Acts of a Gentrified Ojibway Rebellion by Drew Hayden Taylor, directed by Deneh'Cho Thompson.
Image from Concord Floral by Jordan Tannahill. Directed by Natasha Martina, shown at Greystone Theatre, University of Saskatchewan Campus. Nov 17-27, 2021. Leze played Character 8 (Fox).
