Holiday Cabaret!

Donny Parenteau is a proud Metis Country Music artist, born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Donny is a multi-instrumentalist, a singer-songwriter, and is one of the most nominated Independent acts in Canada.

Donny spent 12 years touring the world with Neal McCoy, recording on multi-platinum selling albums, and played on numerous shows with performances on The Grand Ole Opry, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. 

After starting his solo career in 2003, Donny has garnered more than 100 nominations at 7 major awards shows, which include 3 Juno nominations, and his first USA nomination for Best Country CD at the 2014 Native American Music Awards. His latest CD, Bring It On, is the only CD placed in a time capsule at the Regina Legislative Building, to be opened in 100 years, because of Donny's song Deep In the Heart of Saskatchewan. 

Donny's latest singles from 2020 to 2024 have all been added to the Indigenous Music Countdown, and made it to the top five spots, while also being played on Sirius 165- Indigiverse. Parenteau's last 4 singles have all reached #1 on MBC Saskatchewan's Indigenous Countdown, and his latest single, It's All I Need, went #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown top 40 across Canada. Donny just received his 2nd #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown Top 40, with his song Yes Maam. Today, Donny continues to teach music at his Donny Parenteau School of Music, and performs with his band across Canada.  

Previously seen at GTNT: Kohkoms in Toyland, Gabriel Dumont Wild West Show, The (Post) Mistress, and more!

Krystle Pederson is a professional Cree/Métis multidisciplinary artist with  over a decade of experience working across North America. With a strong foundation in music, Krystle began her career as a singer, gracing numerous stages with her talent. Her artistic journey has expanded into theatre, where she discovered a profound passion for storytelling. Krystle deeply values the role actors play in shaping narratives that inspire reflection, empathy, and meaningful social change. Krystle’s work continues to highlight the power of the performing arts to not only  entertain but also elevate and transform communities.

Some of Krystle’s Acting credits include:

• Local Film Production: “Run: Broken Yet Brave’, 
• CBC Gem Series: “Zarqa” (Season 1), APTN: “Chums”, 
• RMTC: “The (Post) Mistress”, NAC: “Gabriel Dumont Wild West Show”, 
• Persephone Theatre: “Reasonable Doubt”, MTYP: “Frozen River”, 
• Caravan Farm Theatre: “The Nutcracker”, IMAGO: “The Flood”,
• Geordie Theatre: World Premiere of “Jordan - A Hero’s Journey”.

JJ Lavallee is a Métis Country Singer/Song Writer/Fiddler from St. Ambroise, MB who has called Saskatoon, SK home since 2022. 

His music blends the soulful melodies of country music with the spirited rhythms of traditional Métis sounds. Raised in a musically gifted family, JJ draws inspiration from his heritage, crafting songs that resonate with themes of resilience, love, and belonging. His performances are a vibrant celebration of culture, often featuring heartfelt storytelling and an undeniable connection to his audience.

His 2023 album Rebirth is a testament to his artistic journey, with tracks like “Young Man”, “Good Metis Man” and “Take me Home” offering reflections on renewal and perseverance. All 3 songs charted in the top 10 and “Young Man” went to number 1 on the North American Indigenous Music Countdown and MBC radio. 

This album, paired with his captivating live performances, earned him Male Artist of the Year at the 2023 Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards and two honors at the 2024 Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards: Country Artist of the Year and Instrumentalist of the Year for his fiddling. Recently he was named a finalist for the 2025 Sask Music Awards for Country Artist of the Year and Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year. At the 2025 SIMA Awards he was selected as Male Artist of the Year.

JJ’s live shows are a memorable experience, marked by his rich vocals, skilled guitar and fiddle, and a palpable passion for his craft. Playing shows across the Country, JJ creates an atmosphere that bridges tradition and contemporary artistry, leaving audiences inspired and deeply connected.

Previously seen at GTNT: Powwow: A Theatrical Production, Leave it to Weavers, Tayen and the Mimi Kwesak, and more!

Shawn Cuthand is a nehiyaw (Cree) and Kanien kehá:ka (Mohawk) writer, comedian, producer, actor and director living in so-called Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory.  Currently, he is a part of the satirical news group called The Feather News, where he has both on screen and behind the scenes writing and producing roles.  The Feather recently won the APTN/ImagineNative web series pitch competition and spent 2022 professionally producing their series from conception to final edits. Currently, The Feather Entertainment, founded by Ryan Moccasin, completed their second season for APTN which will be aired in 2025.  

Being a part of The Feather series has encouraged Shawn to further his acting skills by taking roles with theatre organizations such as the Gordon Tootoosis Nikawinan Theatre’s (GTNT) A Rez Xmas series for 4 years in a row playing multiple roles. He has also done voice acting in an audio play released by Burnt Thicket Theatre and GTNT called Remnance. This past winter he also acted in the children’s play “Tayen and the Mimi Kwesak” which toured communities in Saskatchewan. Through these opportunities, Shawn continues to build his acting skills and portfolio.

Shawn has also written articles for CBC online and was invited to be a storyteller for the Indigenous Cities project for the National Arts Centre.

Also, Shawn has been doing stand up comedy for 5 years and it is a major passion of his.  Some notable performances include the Winnipeg Fringe, Woke Comedy hour, Laughter is Medicine and multiple YukYuk’s Comedy Clubs across Canada, and has made it to the finals of Edmonton’s Grindstone Comedy Competition in 2021.  For the last four summers, Shawn and co-collaborator, Danny Knight produced a stand up comedy show for the YXE Fringe called Full Metal Comedy. The show received 4 stars Star Phoenix in 2021 and was at the Broadway Theatre in 2022 and this past year was awarded best local show of 2023. This past summer they also held the show at the YXE and Vancouver Fringes. Full Metal Comedy is also the name of the open mic comedy show that Shawn and Danny host at the Black Cat Tavern and Art Bar.  Currently Shawn is working on a few scripts which he hopes to produce in the future.  

Previously seen at GTNT: Powwow: A Theatrical Production, Mistakokamik of Horror

Johnny Tootoosis is a nêhiyaw (Cree) actor, powwow dancer, and community leader from Poundmaker Cree Nation, originally and registered in Frog Lake. He is a graduate of the Circle of Voices Program at the Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre, where he performed in Mistikokamik of Horror.

With a background in Northern Traditional, Chicken, Grass, and Fancy Dance styles, Johnny brings cultural knowledge and lived experience to his work on stage. In this production, he will be performing a traditional dance that is rooted in powwow culture and Indigenous storytelling.

Johnny is currently studying in the Indian Teacher Education Program at the University of Saskatchewan and serves as the current President of the ITEP Student Executive Council hosting numerous events throughout the 2024-2025/2025-2026 terms of office. He is passionate about representing Indigenous voices in both education and the arts, and he hopes to continue creating space for Indigenous youth to share their stories through performance, community, and leadership.

Chase Netmaker is a mens prairie chicken dancer from Big River First Nation that has been dancing for the past 12 years. Chase is a first year electrical apprentice working towards getting his Electrical Red Seal.

Tansi, nitisikason Graycen Thomas. Ahtahkakoop First Nations ohi ci niya.

Hello, my name is Graycen Thomas. I am from the Ahtahkakoop First Nations. I am an Old Style Fancy dancer and I have been dancing for 14 years. I am a USASK student, working towards becoming a cultural teacher.

Annalys Robillard is a proud Nêhiyaw and Denesuliné woman that comes from One Arrow First Nation and an accomplished, multi-style dancer deeply rooted in powwow tradition. She is an old style fancy dancer and also dances in the contemporary fancy and jingle styles, carrying culture, strength, and storytelling through every performance. Currently, Annalys holds the title of Senior Powwow Princess of One Arrow First Nation, representing her community with pride, leadership, and grace. Beyond powwow, she is highly trained in ballet, jazz, musical theatre, and hip hop, and proudly represents Team Canada in the ICU Worlds Hip-Hop team, showcasing her versatility on both national and international stages.

Alongside her dance career, Annalys is a first-year Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Saskatchewan. She is an active member of the Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU) and a dedicated advocate for Indigenous voices and spaces, working to uplift and create visibility for Indigenous students within academic and community settings. Through dance, leadership, and education, Annalys continues to honor her culture while building a future rooted in excellence and empowerment.