Gary Farmer

Gary Farmer, a celebrated Aboriginal actor, director, producer, musician and cultural activist, will teach two dramatic arts courses for Brock this summer as part of the Tecumseh Centre for Aboriginal Research and Education’s Bachelor of Education program.

Farmer, a member of the Cayuga nation, will guest lecture to a cohort on July 12 to 29 in Sioux Lookout, Ont. at the Pelican Lake Secondary School. The school is located on the site of the former Pelican Lake (or Sioux Lookout) Indian Residential School.

Farmer has performed in more than 75 films and television shows, including Dead Man, Smoke Signals and Powwow Highway. Born in Oshweken, Ont., he is the former publisher of Aboriginal Voices magazine, and a founder of the Aboriginal Voices Radio (AVR) network. Prior to developing AVR, he led the Aboriginal Voices Festival, an annual film and art event in Toronto.

The recipient of numerous awards, including best actor from the American Indian Film Festival and the First Americans in the Arts, he is widely recognized as a pioneer in the development of First Nations media.

“We are honoured to have Gary teach these courses,” said Lorenzo Cherubini, director of the Tecumseh Centre for Aboriginal Research and Education. “His experience and talent will be an inspiration and an asset to our students.”

Brock’s program in northwestern Ontario, offered in partnership with the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, gives Aboriginal teacher candidates from remote communities the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Education degree.