SK Arts | Bee Bird

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.

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Doug Cuthand - Close up picture of older man wearing glasses and a red t-shirt

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Doug Cuthand

Doug Cuthand is a journalist and filmmaker located in Saskatoon. He has written a weekly newspaper column for Post Media for over 30 years. He is a member of the Little Pine First Nation.

Bee Bird - Man with black and white film clapboard

Photo credit: None

Bee Bird

Bee Bird is a driven individual from the Montreal Lake Cree Nation on Treaty 6 territory. Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Indigenous Communication and Fine Arts at the First Nations University of Canada, Bee is also a talented podcaster and founder of Bee Productions.

In 2015, Bee studied media arts production at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Prince Albert, where he developed his skills as a video producer, audio recorder, and photographer. He studied small business management at Praxis School of Entrepreneurship in Saskatoon. Today, Bee continues to perfect his craft while working and studying at First Nations University. Bee passionately advocates for Indigenous artists and businesses that promote Indigeneity in Saskatchewan. He hopes to empower his community by encouraging more people to get involved in media production and entrepreneurship.

Additionally, Bee is dedicated to supporting language revitalization efforts and working with elders at First Nations University. He also organizes poetry slams to provide a platform for Indigenous voices. Through his many endeavours, Bee is committed to making a positive impact within his community and surrounding areas.

Doug Cuthand says Bee Bird is “…eager to learn and full of energy.”

Bee Bird was a summer student assigned to me two years ago. He worked with me on a documentary I did on adults who were products of the Sixties Scoop in First Nations country. Bee started off as a production assistant, and later my camera person trained him on the use of a camera, and he operated the second camera on the production. In addition, he worked with me on two other projects. I found Bee eager to learn and full of energy.

He was raised by his grandparents on the Montreal Lake Reserve and spent a lot of time on the land with them. His traditional upbringing adds to his desire to learn and an unvarnished view of the world. He is pursuing the Indigenous Communication arts (INCA) program at the First Nations University. He wants to pursue a career as a filmmaker telling the stories of his people and preserving the Cree language.