Speaker
Mackenzie Brown
Mackenzie Brown is a First Nations Cree woman from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, currently residing in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). A dynamic and award winning performer, drummer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate, Mackenzie has dedicated her life to creating meaningful connections through her art, culture, and community work. She is the co-founding member of Warrior Women, a performance duo with her mother that drums and teaches internationally, sharing their knowledge with schools, festivals, organizations, and communities across the globe.
In addition to her work as a performer, Mackenzie is a prolific multidisciplinary artist, known for her vibrant acrylic paintings, beadwork, leatherwork, and large-scale murals. Her art reflects her Cree heritage, with a focus on the relationship between the land, animals, and Indigenous identity in a contemporary context. Mackenzie’s work has been featured in several prestigious galleries, including the Arts Commons Calgary, ATB Arts Branch, CSpace, Pump House Gallery, Edson Gallery Museum, and Gray Gallery at Grant MacEwan University. Her murals can be found in cities across Alberta and Canada, including Edmonton, Calgary, Guelph and Jasper National Park.
She was a featured artist at MASA, Africa’s largest performing arts festival, where she represented Indigenous art in collaboration with the Ministry of Global Affairs Canada. She has also worked with high-profile clients such as Starbucks, Co-operators Insurance, New Horizon Coop Grocery, Sysco, and Parks Canada.
Over the years, Mackenzie has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the arts and Indigenous communities, including the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Award in 2017, Esquao Award for Children’s Future (2019), Indigenous Woman of the Year from the Alberta Assembly of First Nations (2019), Top 30 under 30 from the Alberta Corporation for Global Cooperation (2020), and the Distinguished Alumni Award from MacEwan University (2022). Most recently, in 2024, she was honored with the Calgary Mayor’s Arts Award for Indigenous Artists and named to Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 list.
Mackenzie’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in her cultural teachings and the spiritual guidance of âtayôhkan (spirit guides). Her paintings, often characterized by movement and vibrant colors, evoke a sense of connection to Mother Earth and the spirit of the land. She draws inspiration from the landscapes around her, reflecting her beliefs in the healing power of art and its ability to bring forgotten stories and languages back to life. Through her work, Mackenzie aims to evoke emotion, remembrance, and a deeper understanding of the relationship between all living beings and the land.
