Tony Eetak is an emerging Inuk youth artist and culture connector originally from Arviat, Nunavut and a founding member of the Elmwood Union Arts and Art Borups Corners collectives. Tony’s current participatory arts and research activities supported by the OpenAI Researcher Access Program. With a growing interest in photography, music and visual arts, Tony has been a dedicated volunteer for participatory arts events in his community, working for more than five years with organizations and projects including the Arviat Film Society, Global Dignity Canada, Inclusion in Northern Research, Our People, Our Climate and Niriqatiginnga. Tony’s art projects have been funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Agriculture and Manitoba Arts Council. 

In 2021 he completed his first Creativity for Entrepreneurship online college course through University of Minnesota Duluth Continuing Education and with support from the UMD Cultural Entrepreneurship program. In June 2022 Tony presented some of his creative photography and experiences for the Auviqsaqtut Inuit Studies Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba with the Our People, Our Climate project and support from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. In 2023 Tony was named a National Role Model by the non-profit organization Global Dignity Canada. Tony was a founding member of the Niriqatiginnga food security pilot program, a in 2023-2024 that explored arts-based and participatory approaches to addressing food security.

A long-time artist and interior designer with a passion for creating beautiful kitchens and office spaces, Shelly is a founding member of the Elmwood Union Arts Collective. As an entrepreneur and owner of Woodcharm Kitchens, Cabinets, and More, she combines her expertise in design with her commitment to mentorship, guiding artists and youth in entrepreneurship and creative practices. A lifelong resident of Elmwood in Winnipeg, Shelly is deeply connected to her community and dedicated to fostering its artistic and entrepreneurial spirit.

Shelly’s work reflects her belief in the transformative power of design to inspire and uplift both individuals and spaces. Through her leadership at the Elmwood Union Arts Collective, she continues to champion opportunities for emerging talents, blending creativity with practical skills to help others bring their visions to life.

A crafter and artist from Arviat, Nunavut, Lucy has been a supporter of arts programming for more than a decade with groups like Art Borups Corners and the Arviat Film Society. A grandmother, and fluent speaker of Inuktitut, she is dedicated to sharing traditional values and is a valued advisor and mentor to youth involved in our program. She loves to knit and volunteer with community-driven projects and programs that support Inuit youth in the arts and promote mental health and well-being.

Kami Norland, MA, ATR, is a trailblazing advocate for human-centred leadership and mental wellbeing. She is the Director of the Masters of Arts in Creative Leadership at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. As an entrepreneur and CEO of Integrative Re-Sources, LLC, co-founder of the Elevate Compassion Coalition and the Journey Guide Project, LLC, Norland's impact resonates globally. With 20+ years spanning local clinics to national healthcare leadership, she champions mental wellbeing as a necessity for fulfilled lives. Through dynamic keynotes and workshops, Norland weaves science and relatable stories to reshape workplace experiences. Her transformative work mirrors the essence of social prescribing, emphasising compassion and balance. Norland's legacy lies in reshaping leadership perceptions, highlighting the profound link between mental wellbeing and a fulfilling life.

Dr. Olaf Kuhlke is Chair and Professor for the Creative Entrepreneurship Program and a leading researcher at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Specialising in the emerging field of Arctic Climate Entrepreneurship and a longtime collaborator with the project team, Dr. Kuhlke has been instrumental in developing two significant projects focused on addressing the challenges posed by permafrost thaw in Arctic regions. The Permafrost Pathways project, co-led by Dr. Kuhlke and experts in climate science, policy development, and environmental justice, investigates the immediate consequences of permafrost thaw on infrastructure, particularly in Indigenous villages in Alaska. Conducting field research during the summer of 2023 and 2024, the project aims to advance scientific understanding and develop adaptation strategies while prioritizing collaboration with Alaska Native communities. That project is a component of the Defense Resiliency Platform against Extreme Cold Weather, conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab.