Atlantic Ballet Indigenous aims to advance the mission of the Atlantic Ballet while honoring and uplifting Indigenous voices and heritage within the organization ensuring that the initiatives are reflective of Indigenous values and cultural integrity.
We at Atlantic Ballet Canada recognize the unceded traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq,Wolastoqiyik, and Peskotomuhkati people of the Wabanaki Confederacy here in Atlantic Canada. We are proud to live, work and dream with the generations of today, while honouring by the generations of the past. Atlantic Ballet will continue to walk with theWabanaki people, and produce works which contribute to the cultural sovereignty of the first peoples while honouring the Peace and Friendship treaties.
Elder Dr. Maggie Paul
Sitansisk, Wolastoqiyik & Passamaquoddy
Dr. Maggie Paul is an elder, knowledge keeper, teacher and song carrier who has traveled around the world to share Wolastoqey and Passamaquoddy culture. Known for her voice, Dr. Maggie has recorded two famous albums – capturing the traditional songs of the people.
Dr. Maggie has raised six children and lived most of her adult life in the Wolastoqey community of Sitansik (St. Mary’s First Nation) in Fredericton. Her contribution and dedication to song has inspired countless singers to maintain their culture.
A leader in the community, Dr. Maggie has mentored Polaris Prize winner Jeremy Dutcher, who’s work on the multi-award-winning album began when Maggie suggested he listen to century-old wax cylinders of Wolastoq songs, housed in the archives of the Canadian Museum of History. In 2018, when Dutcher accepted the Polaris Prize for his album Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, he thanked Dr. Maggie for encouraging him to study the songs of his community.
As Dr. Maggie once said, “When you bring the songs back, you’re going to bring the dances back. You’re going to bring the people back. You’re going to bring everything back.” She has dedicated her life to unearthing and reviving the culture.
Elder Donna Augustine
Elsipogtog, Big Cove First Nation
Donna Augustine is an Elder, a Traditional Knowledge Keeper and a Ceremonial Leader. She was instrumental in helping to bring the cultural ceremonial ways back to her people, after years of her people not being able to practice their ways as a result of colonization and assimilation.
She is a Cultural Educator and has done presentations on culture at Elementary Schools, High Schools, Colleges and Universities. She has traveled to different cultures of the world sharing her own culture. Her main work is on Repatriation, and does this nationally and internationally. She was invited to speak at the United Nations in New York City on Repatriation and the protection of Sacred Sites.
She carries a deep sense of responsibility to help teach her own people and others, about the true culture of the first people of this land.
Natasha Martin-Mitchell
Listuguj Mi’gmaq
Board Member & Board Chair, Atlantic Ballet Indigenous
Natasha Martin-Mitchell is from Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation, a Board Member & Board Chair Governance of Atlantic Ballet Indigenous. Natasha is a trail-blazer, fashion designer, multidisciplinary artist, and owner of Martin-Mitchell Designs. Known for building and maintaining strong partnerships with stakeholders across various levels of government, she is also deeply committed to her community. Natasha serves as a board member for the Atlantic Ballet and leads the Intercultural Indigenous Dance Program Mawiamalgatijig/Mawohkatine, a youth initiative that trains future professional dancers. She is also a board member of the Gignoo Women’s Transition House, where she contributes to the finance committee. The organization’s mission is to support Indigenous women and their children in healing from intra-familial abuse, providing safe accommodations, cultural education, and wellness-focused programming. A recent graduate of the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, Natasha also holds a Bachelor of Integrated Studies and a Master of Education from the University of New Brunswick. Recognized with the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal, Natasha exemplifies leadership through her dedication to cultural preservation, education, and community empowerment.
Nipahtuwet Naka Wespahtuwet (Possesom) Paul,
Sitansisk Wolastoqiyik
Director of Atlantic Ballet Indigenous
Nipahtuwet Naka Wespahtuwet Possesom (Paul) is a Wolastoqiyik leader, educator, and multidisciplinary artist driving the growth of Indigenous artistic expression across Atlantic Canada. As Director of Atlantic Ballet Indigenous and an Indigenous Dance Instructor, Possesom inspires the next generation of artists by blending cultural heritage with contemporary innovation. A keeper of traditional knowledge and champion dancer, he engages communities and audiences across Turtle Island to deepen understanding of Indigenous cultures.
Possesom’s leadership is evident in his transformative education initiatives. At the high school level, he developed a competitive dance program exploring powwow traditions, spirituality, and cultural authenticity, while empowering students to host powwows and represent their communities regionally.
Possesom also emphasizes mentorship, connecting students with elders and cultural support to sustain their growth as performers and knowledge keepers.
