A storyteller - through the arts of film, writing and music - Ivan J White seeks to combine his experience in marketing, communications, and economic development with his passion and dedication to his community, to always work towards the preservation and creation of authentic Mi’kmaw stories told through inclusion, collaboration, and sharing.
NL Public Libraries/TD Canada Ready Commitment (Nov 2024 - March 2025)
Indigenous Storyteller in Residence
Glenn Gould Foundation (2024)
Alanis Obomsawin Masterclass - Telling Our Stories
Downhome Magazine (Sept 2023)
In Your Words: the Truth is Past - Written Contribution
Professional Association of Canadian Theatre (2023)
Rising Tides Mentorship Program
Grenfell Campus Masters In Applied Literary Arts - Artistic Production (2022)
IMPERMANENCE - Producer, Master of Ceremonies, Administrator
Judy M. Doucette-Falle/Flanker Press - Book Tie-in Musical Composition (2022)
Poppa & His Drum - Producer, Composer, Session Musician, Recording and Mixing Engineer
Carleton University/Indigenous Environmental Knowledge Institute - Film Production (2022)
Digitizing Knowledge Program - Producer, Writer, Cinematographer, Director, Editor, Composer, Recording and Mixing Engineer
PhiLab Atlantic - PhiLab's 2022 National Conference
Water IS Life - Original Song & Experimental Music Video
Breakwater Books - Anthology Edited by Ainsley Hawthorn (2021)
Land of Many Shores Stories from a Diverse Newfoundland and Labrador - “In Three Parts” - Written Contribution
Grenfell Campus Office of Indigenous Affairs (2018- 2021)
Maw-Lukutinej / Let's Work Together: Indigenous Studies in Collaboration - Videographer, Audio Engineer and Editing, Songwriter and Arranger of Fur Kelly Anne
Gros Morne Theatre Festival - Theatre Newfoundland & Labrador (August 2021)
Sharing Perspectives Festival - Curator/Producer/Performer
Bay St. George Mi’kmaq Cultural Revival Committee (2017 - 2019)
Annual Bay St. George Aboriginal Showcase - Artistic Director, Producer, Stage Manager, Camera Operator and Writer
Canadian Geographic (2018)
“My community, my Home”; Indigenous Atlas of Canada - Written Contribution
Ravenhead Productions (2017)
The Country - Additional Camera, Location Guide, Grip
Independent Work for Flat Bay Band and Linkages Program (2017-2018)
Linkages 2018 - Workplace Safety, Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor
Linkages 2017 Interview Skills, Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor
Captive Expressions - No’kmaq Village - Flat Bay Band Inc. (2017)
Qalipu Enrolment Series, Cinematographer, Editor
Captive Expressions - No’kmaq Village - Flat Bay Band Inc.(2016)
Traditional Land Use and Occupancy Study, Producer, Director, Writer, Interviewee
Captive Expressions - No’kmaq Village - Flat Bay Band Inc. (2012)
“L’nug Aganutmaqan” (the native’s story), Producer, Screenwriter, Interviewer, Story Development Lead
Communities in Schools Youth Arts Youth Corp Project (2002)
Creative Performance, Screenplay Writing, Event Management, and Team Building Activities
Stephenville Theatre Festival (2002 - July-August)
Assistant Director/Stage Manager/Stage Hand, Sound Production, Musician
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Memorial University (Office Of Indigenous Affairs)
Indigenous Education Specialist / November 2022 - Current
Act on behalf of community interests and priorities in support of the MBI project. Practice, support, and mentor others in Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) as guiding principle in research.
Grenfell Campus of Memorial University
Researcher/Indigenous Community Liaison - Marine Biomass Innovation (MBI) / March 2022 - November 2022
Act on behalf of community interests and priorities in support of the MBI project. Practice, support, and mentor others in Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) as guiding principle in research.
Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Student Services)
Student Services - Indigenous Affairs / August 2021 - February 2022
Advocate and Support the Indigenous Student Population at Grenfell Campus and participate in the Indigenization of Campus through programming and initiatives that further Indigenous Student Success.
Western Health
Project Coordinator - Journey of Collaboration / September 2020 - August 2021
Develop, organize, and facilitate engagement with Mi'kmaq of Western Newfoundland to collectively create a strategy and implementation plan to develop and enhance policy and service delivery.
Grenfell Campus of Memorial University (Office of Engagement)
Research Assistant - Indigenous & Community Research Support / August 2020 - August 2021
Support Stakeholder and Indigenous engagement for research projects in Coastal, Rural, and Indigenous Communities.
CBC/Radio Canada
Researcher / October 2019 - March 2020
Contracted to find and develop compelling content for radio and web platforms of the CBC. Priority on current affairs and news with a focus on telling the stories of the Indigenous (Mi’kmaq) Community.
Stephenville Theatre Festival
General Manager / April 2018 - September 2019
Management of all aspects of; human resources, internal and external organization relations, marketing, and communications for the organization; grant applications and reporting, board governance and relations, community engagement, and participation.
No’kmaq Village – Flat Bay Band Inc.
Tourism Development and Marketing Officer| September 2016-March 2017
Facilitate the development and marketing of a community-led tourism industry within the community and establish; 1) a tourism strategy, 2) Mi’kmaq themed park business plan, and 3) a network of stakeholders and resource persons.
Bay St. George Mi'kmaq Cultural Revival Committee
Flat Bay TLUOS Project Coordinator | September 2015-August 2016
Oversee a Traditional Land Use Study and develop manuscript and media presentation for use in Education, Lobbying/Partnership Activities, and Land Claim arguments.
Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation
Traditional Use Study (TUS) Interviewer | Feb. 2015 – April 2015
Collecting and reporting information to QMFN Band, and relevant departments within, on traditional and cultural knowledge of land use within Band membership.
Captive Expression Productions (L’nug Agnutmaqan “the Native’s Story”)
Public Relations Officer | Sept. 2011 - Oct. 2012
Perform all Marketing duties required of the project including; media and public relations, research, interviews, scriptwriting, Acting.
Aboriginal Community/Business Advisory Committee
Fortune Hunters Project Coordinator | 2011 (January-June)
Facilitate Education Seminars for local entrepreneurs, Acting Secretary of the committee, Brand Development, Public and Media Relations.
Indian Head First Nations
Office Administrator | Summer 2008
Responsible for human resource coordination, liaison to Chief, providing support to membership in areas of Band involvement and summer programming.
Bay St. George Mi’kmaq Cultural Revival Committee
Powwow Coordinator | Summer 2007
Oversaw and completed activities relating to the second Bay St. George Powwow in 2007 including the development of infrastructure, relations with other Mi’kmaq/Indigenous communities, and final reporting.
EDUCATION
Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador
Master of Applied Literary Arts
Studies focused on Storytelling and Writing, Songwriting and Music Production, Event and festival planning, Arts Management. Research focused on Narratology and the relationship of Arts/Artists through the Mi'kmaq concept of Etuaptmumk.
College of the North Atlantic Class of 2009
Diploma in Business Administration (Marketing) Bay St. George Campus
Trained in comprehensive concepts of business administration (HR, Accounting and Marketing) with emphasis on the latter area of marketing.
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Bay St. George Mi’kmaq Cultural Revival Committee & BSG Powwow (2008-2010, 2016-Current)
Chairperson/ Secretary/Director
Planning and proposal development for Mi’kmaq Cultural Programs and Initiatives in Bay St. George Communities including the Annual Bay St. George Mi'kmaq Powwow in Flat Bay.
Bayview Academy School Council (2018-2024)
Chairperson/Community Director
Mandate to build on the collective knowledge, skills, abilities, interests, and resources to enhance the education and development of children.
Abadak
Owner | Sept. 2012 – Current
Creating platforms and telling the stories of Mi'kmaw people, their heritage, and their history on the island of Newfoundland; responsible for the development of new programming, funding, and online presence for Abadak.
Aboriginal Community Business Advisory Committee/Long Range R.E.D. Board (2008-2012)
Flat Bay Representative – Marketing Consultant
Providing Marketing and Networking Capabilities for Aboriginal Businesses in Economic Zone 9. Develop committee capacity to create/implement business initiatives under the directives of the Regional Economic Development Board.
Enactus (formerly SIFE) Stephenville (2007-2009)
Secretary, Presentation Coach, Head Researcher
SIFE Executive Council Secretary, Development of Competition Presentations, research into case studies and topics used for fundraising and regional/national competitions.