The Patrons Committee members are respected representatives that share CAM’s commitment to Aboriginal media. Members lend their names and endorse the nature of the festival at community events and within their individual organizations.

Honorary Patron
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, C.C., C.M.M., C.D., Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief of Canada

Born in Hong Kong in 1939, Mme Clarkson came to Canada as a refugee with her family, during the war in 1942. She received her early education in the Ottawa public school system and later obtained an Honours B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Toronto. She also did post-graduate work at the Sorbonne in France. Mme Clarkson is fluently bilingual.

A leading figure in Canada's cultural life, Mme Clarkson has had a rich and distinguished career in broadcasting, journalism, the arts and public service. From 1982 to 1987, Mme Clarkson served as the first Agent-General for Ontario in Paris, promoting Ontario's business and cultural interests in France, Italy and Spain. She was the President and Publisher of McClelland & Stewart from 1987 to 1988. From 1965 to 1982, Mme Clarkson worked as host, writer and producer of several influential programs on CBC Television, including Take Thirty, Adrienne at Large, and The Fifth Estate. A noted writer, she also contributed numerous articles to major newspapers and magazines in Canada and wrote three books. In 1988, she assumed responsibilities as executive producer, host, and writer for the programs Adrienne Clarkson's Summer Festival and Adrienne Clarkson Presents for a period of 11 years. She also wrote and directed several films. Her work in television has garnered her dozens of TV awards in Canada and the U.S.

At the time of her becoming Governor General, Mme Clarkson served as Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec, as well as President of the Executive Board of IMZ, the international audio-visual association of music, dance and cultural programmers, based in Vienna. She was also the executive producer and host of the CBC Television program, Something Special, a Lay Bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada as well as honorary patron of a number of artistic and charitable organizations.

Mme Clarkson has received numerous prestigious awards both in Canada and abroad in recognition for her outstanding contribution in a variety of endeavours. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1992, holds honorary doctorates from five Canadian universities, and received three honorary academic distinctions.

Honorary Patrons

Roberta Jamieson
Former Ombudsmen of Ontario/Lawyer/Chief of Six Nations

Roberta Jamieson, a Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, is the former Ombudsman for Ontario. She is a visionary, a lawyer, a highly skilled mediator and communicator with an international reputation for creating positive change in the fields of governance, accountability, fairness, the rights of Indigenous peoples, human rights, and social justice. She has received numerous honorary degrees and awards including the National Aboriginal Achievement Award, the Mary Parker Follett Award from the International Society of Dispute Resolution, and the Order of Canada. Roberta has long been a strong supporter of Aboriginal people in the arts.

Rhonda Kite
New Zealand Television Producer

Rhonda Kite has been the owner/operator of Eden Tce Audio since 1993, after 25 years working in the corporate sectors of administration and finance. She is an advocate for the overdubbing of animation & documentary programmes into the Maori language and is considered a leader in this area. Rhonda has also been active in the New Zealand music industry since 1992. She is an independent television documentary producer and has a special interest in international co-production opportunities for Maori.

Frank Meawasige
PRINTART-CEO

Frank Meawasige is an Ojibway from the Serpent River First Nation. He is an artist, inventor, fashion designer, and a highly successful Aboriginal entrepreneur. Frank established Woodland Studios, a printing, publishing, and Native art gallery as the first commercial business in his community. Later he created and remains CEO of PRINTART Design Consultants Inc. and most recently he has launched SAFEGLO, a company devoted to safety systems for office towers. He has been an advocate for Aboriginal business and a long-standing supporter of the aspirations of Aboriginal people in the arts.

Ron Nadeau
Former Aboriginal Peoples Television Network- Chief Operating Officer

Presently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Ron Nadeau brings with him significant years of broadcast experience. As a business executive who has been actively involved in Aboriginal and cultural affairs, Mr. Nadeau has served as Chairman and C.E.O. General Manager and C.E.O. Chairman and General Counsel of Native Communications Incorporated. Currently, he is a member of the Manitoba Bar and a member and advisor to several public boards and commissions including the Manitoba Arts Council, APTN, and the Manitoba First Nations Casino Selection Committee. For sixteen years, on a part time basis, Mr. Nadeau was a lecturer for several post secondary institutions including Brandon University, University of Manitoba, and University of Winnipeg specializing in the areas of Aboriginal Law, Native Studies, and Business Law.

Alanis Obomsawin
Filmmaker

Alanis Obomsawin, a member of the Abenaki Nation, is one of Canada’s most distinguished documentary filmmakers. Obomsawin began her career as a singer, writer, and storyteller, but dove into filmmaking in 1967 with Christmas at Moose Factory, which she wrote and directed. Since then, Obomsawin has made over 20 uncompromising documentaries on issues affecting Aboriginal people in Canada. Alanis Obomsawin’s films have won dozens of major international awards, and have been seen on television and at festivals around the world. In 1983, she was named a member of the Order of Canada.

Bill Roberts
Vision TV International- President

Bill Roberts is the current President and CEO of Vision TV International. Mr. Roberts is the former Secretary General of the North American Broadcasters Association. Prior to his work at the NABA, he played an active part in organizing the United Nations World Television Forum on the Impact on Television on Peace and Development. He holds several communications, public policy and business degrees. He resides with his family in Toronto.

Carla Robinson
CBC Newsworld Host

Live from CBC’s National News Centre Carla Robinson anchors the day’s news and monitors any late breaking developments. Periodically, she hosts the afternoon editions of Newsworld Today and Newsworld Live. Beginning in September Carla will be join the CBC Morning team anchoring its expanded news coverage.

Robinson has written for national magazines such as The Rez, Aboriginal Voices, and Dreamspeaker. Robinson studied at Carleton University and with an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario. She has earned several awards for her work including the 1995 Norman Jewison Award for Journalism for Native Canadians.

Suzanne Rochon-Burnette
Spirit 91.7- Owner

Suzanne Rochon-Burnette, a proud Metis, is a prominent broadcaster, journalist, and businessperson who in 1997 became the first Aboriginal person in Canada to be granted two commercial radio frequencies by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (C.R.T.C.) She has worked tirelessly to foster business, the arts and broadcasting in Native communities. A past recipient of the Order of Ontario, the YMCA’s Women of Distinction Award in the Arts and Culture Category she presently serves as a Board member of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Kim Tomczak
Toronto Arts Council-President

Kim Tomczak is a multidisciplinary artist primarily known for his work in performance, photography and video. Born in Victoria, B.C. in 1952, he graduated with honours from the Vancouver School of Art (now the Emily Carr College of Art) in 1975. In 1982, he became a founding director of V tape, a national information and distribution service for independent video. Tomczak is currently the President of the Board of the Toronto Arts Council and he is also on the executive for the Audio Visual Heritage Trust of Canada.

Patrick Watson
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation-Former Chair

Patrick Watson is a writer, director, actor, television host and interviewer. The former Chair of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Creative Director of the CRB Foundation’s Heritage Project, Commissioning Editor, Documentaries for History Television (Canada) he has also been the recipient of ACTRA Outstanding Achievement Award for Contribution to Canadian Broadcasting, awards for Best Host/Interviewer and for documentary, and Gemini Awards for best documentary in both French and English.

Margaret Zeidler
401 Richmond Ltd.-President

Margaret is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s School of Architecture and former Executive Director of AMREF Canada (African & Medical Research Foundation). She has served on the Board of several non-profit organizations including World Literacy of Canada, Theatre Passe Muraille and Toronto Artscape.

401 Richmond is a commercial property located at the corner if Richmond and Spadina in downtown Toronto and home to a thriving community of 130 cultural producers and micro-enterprises. The century-old tin factory has been lovingly restored to include a stunning courtyard, arts-enriched early learning centre, café and roof garden.