Our Esteemed Patron Board

Treffrey Deerfoot, also known as Ais-sik-o-to-yo-mah-ka, is a highly respected Blackfoot artist, cultural ambassador, and advocate for First Natinos’ health and wellness. Treffrey's accomplishments are vast and impressive. He is the Artistic Director of the Blackfoot Medicine Speaks Dance Troupe, sharing Blackfoot culture internationally, from Italy and China to Australia and Washington D.C. His master beadwork, including stunning Prairie Chicken Dance outfits, graces prestigious collections like the Royal Alberta Museum, Calgary Airport, and the Calgary Public Library. He's graced our screens in productions like Lonesome Dove, Dreamkeeper, and Into the West, and even won an Alberta Motion Picture Industry Award for his documentary, Dancing in the Wind. And in 2017, he received the REVEAL Indigenous Arts Award from the Hnatyshyn Foundation. Beyond his artistic achievements, Treffrey is a powerful advocate. He is a member of Provincial Committee on Tobacco and Vaping, and chairs the Keeping Tobacco Sacred Collaboration, promoting culturally appropriate strategies for tobacco cessation in Indigenous communities. He serves as an Elder for the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association and has initiated a Traditional Healing Circle for Men with Siksika Health Services. He generously shares his knowledge of Blackfoot culture in schools, conferences and other gatherings, fostering understanding and connection. His dance troupe regularly performs at Banff National Park and other tourism designations. He advises the City of Calgary on environmental restoration from a Blackfoot world view, and has participated in the development of the City’s official Land Use Policy. Furthermore, Treffrey has been deeply involved in the vital work of repatriating buffalo to numerous First Nations communities, a powerful symbol of cultural and ecological restoration. A recent documentary highlighting this important initiative, "Bringing Them Home," has garnered significant acclaim and numerous awards. Treffrey's traditional upbringing, guided by his parents and grandmother, instilled in him a deep respect for his ancestors' traditions. A fluent Blackfoot speaker, former member of the sacred Horn Society, and holder of a sacred Beaver Bundle, he embodies the spiritual heart of his people. And now, I want to add another dimension to Treffrey’s remarkable story. He has shared with me his deep enjoyment in working with a variety of newcomers to Canada. He’s particularly cherished his roles in the Festival’s Plays, finding profound meaning in this work. Treffrey understands the experience of displacement and believes deeply in empowerment. He chooses to focus on the connections that bind us, rather than the differences that divide us. He carries a strong belief in hope for all people. As an Indigenous person of this land, he feels a special privilege in welcoming newcomers to his territory. Treffrey’s life is a testament to the power of art, culture, and advocacy. His work builds bridges, fosters understanding, and inspires hope. It is with immense pride that the Ethnik Festivals Association presents Treffrey Deerfoot with this award. Please join me in celebrating this extraordinary individual.