February 2023 marks the beginning of SK Arts' 75th anniversary year. On February 3, 1948, the Saskatchewan Arts Board opened its doors, supporting artists across the province. As we celebrate this milestone, we look to honour the past, the present and the future of the province's vibrant arts community with the We Celebrate You campaign. SK Arts asked 75 established artists to nominate one strong, emerging artist, program or training opportunity that makes the future of Saskatchewan arts exciting.

Photo: Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing, Theatre Passe Muraille (Left to Right) Ben Cardinal as Big Joey, Erroll Kinistino as Creature Nataways and Graham Greene as Pierre St. Pierre.

Erroll Kinistino

Erroll Kinistino is a Saulteaux Treaty Indian with membership on the Ochapowace First Nation near Broadview, bordering the historic Qu'Appelle Valley, in Southeast Saskatchewan. He was born in Whitewood, Saskatchewan, and graduated from Grenfell Consolidated High School.

In 1989, Erroll was in the original production of Tomson Highway’s award-winning play, Dry Lips Outta Move to Kapuskasing, as the character Creature Nataways. His other theater acting credits include; Red Sky Performance’s play, Raven Stole the Sun (2009-2010); Dancing Sky’s centennial tour in Saskatchewan, All My Relations – Wahkotowin (2005), and Sheater’s Saskatchewan tour of Far From the Heart (2012).

In film, he is well known for his role as Leon Deela on North of 60 (1992-2002). Other screen credits include Phil the bartender on Corner Gas (2006-2008), Cold As Ice in Out In the Cold (2005), Kenny Bearclaw in Moccasin Flats (2003) and Sol in This Time Last Winter (2009). He has been active in Saskatchewan’s theatre and music scenes for many years as an actor, director, singer and acoustic guitarist.

Aren Okemaysim – Indigenous man on stage playing a guitar and singing. He is wearing a hat, orange shirt and sunglasses.

Photo credit: Cassandra Popescu

Aren Okemaysim

Aren Okemaysim (he/him) is a nêhiyaw/Plains Cree multi-disciplinary performing artist, sound designer and audio technician currently based out of Regina (Treaty 4) and originally from the Beardy's and Okemasis Cree Nation in Treaty 6 territory. Aren has performed across Turtle Island as a theatre actor for nearly a decade and almost two decades as a session musician. No stranger to the stage, he also works behind the scenes as a sound designer (theatre) and audio technician for theatre and music; currently, he is the Head of Sound at Globe Theatre in Regina. Aren also released an album of original music under the name OKIMAW ᐅᑭᒪᐤ in early 2022 as the singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer. OKIMAW ᐅᑭᒪᐤ (self-titled album) can be found across all major streaming platforms.

“…a multidisciplinary artist in theater, music and tech work.” -  Erroll Kinistino

Aren Okemaysim is a multidisciplinary artist in theater, music and tech work. He would greatly benefit from utilizing the SK Arts grant.