The Creators Circle – 2026/27
Program Director: Herbie Barnes
Participants: Natalie Ballentyne, Joyce Delaronde, Jeffery Gobeil, Mark Head, Michael Redhead Champagne, Amanda Smart
Natalie Ballentyne
Natalie Ballentyne is a First Nations political advisor, strategist, writer and advocate with more than two decades of experience working alongside First Nations leadership. Her work has focused on Treaty rights, justice, governance, culture, languages and the experiences of First Nations women. A lifelong storyteller, Natalie has written extensively about politics, leadership, and the people and moments that shape the lives of First Nations. She is stepping outside her professional comfort zone and into the theatre, bringing her sharp observations, humour, lived experience and passion for storytelling to playwriting.
Joyce Delaronde
Joyce Delaronde is an actor, comedian, and filmmaker also known as ‘Skinny Kookoo’, she brings humour, creativity and authenticity to her work. She is a proud Red River Métis originally from Duck Bay, Manitoba. She has performed at a variety of stage shows including two IndigE-Girl Shows, Come and Get Your Auntie at Winnipeg Comedy Festival as well as Revenge of the Berry Ticklers at Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Vancouver. She has created and worked in various short films that have screened at festivals and has acted in film and television, best known as Mavis, ‘Beanpole’ on CTV television comedy series Acting Good. She hopes to continue sharing Indigenous stories through her work with comedy and filmmaking.
Jeffery Gobeil
Jeff Gobeil is Winnipeg-based Indigenous stand-up comedian, writer and storyteller. His comedy explores what it means to be a sober, city native, dealing with his mental health. Since starting stand-up, Jeff has performed all over the prairies, appearing at comedy clubs, festivals, community events and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. In 2026, he performed his one-person show The Crown Witness Is a Stand-Up Comedian? at the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival. Jeff’s work finds humour in uncomfortable places.
Mark Head
Mark David Head is born and raised in Winnipeg. He is a writer, advocate, integrative thinker, policy entrepreneur, symbolic capital creator, independent red river metis man and an artist who keeps trying no matter what life throws at him or comes his way. His focus is on the written word to playwriting, screenwriting and blogging. In his spare time, enjoys developing amateur policy to promote policy change and volunteering at meet @ the bell tower on selkirk avenue in the north end to unite in hope, building community and creating opportunities. He continues to write and better his hometown.
Michael Redhead Champagne
Michael Redhead Champagne is an Ininew speaker, host, author, on-screen personality and advocate for children, youth and families and is committed to systems change through love, equity and justice. In 2024 Michael published his first children’s Book We Need Everyone and had a graphic novel about his life published as well called Little By Little. Michael proudly represents his home, the North End of Winnipeg, and his home Community Shamattawa Manitoba everywhere he goes and believes Indigenous knowledge will save the world.
Amanda Smart
Amanda M. Smart (Mino-wai-qi-mook) is Red River Métis Anishinaabe from the Sturgeon Clan and Settler ancestry. She is a visual artist, filmmaker, actor and writer. After completing her studies in Fine Arts, she worked as a Stage Manager and Production Manager in theatre, as well as in Production Management in the motion picture industry. Most recently, she completed her education as a Composite Technician in the field of aerospace, becoming certified within six months at a recognized aerospace company, where she combines technology and creativity.