Actress worthy of Role Model recognition

Michelle Thrush has been recognized once more – this time as an Aboriginal Role Model.

The Calgary-born Cree actress has met with success in films and television, such as Northern Exposure, North of 60, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and Highlander, and has 25 years of experience in the arts industry. In 2011 she was awarded a Gemini for best performance in a continuing leading dramatic role for her work in Blackstone.

“This has been a phenomenal year, what with the Gemini, which was a huge honour, the biggest in Canada for acting. And I also received the Rosie Award, which is given for the best performance by an Alberta actress, from the Alberta Film and Television Awards,” Thursh said.

She has several more projects on the go and expects to keep busy with films in Canada and the United States.

Thrush juggles family life with her work and spends as much time as possible with her daughters and mother in Calgary which is her home base. They often return to the Nekaneet First Nation near Maple Creek, Sask., where she has extended family, keeping in touch with her culture.

“I have a great family down there, they are my foundation and it’s beautiful, and a sanctuary from our busy life in the city,” Thrush said.

Her main passion is her community work. Thrush uses her celebrity status to encourage others to excel by performing one-woman shows for day cares, school classrooms and youth groups, both on and off reserve. She has extended her programs to include parents and she even recently travelled to an Edmonton correctional facility to talk to the residents there, stating that anywhere she can perform before appreciative audiences and help the young people is a wonderful opportunity.

“I have two characters that I travel with, and I’ve been doing this for many years. One is Kookum Martha, and I do a lot of comedy with her, and the other character is Majica, and she’s a clown and I do therapeutic healing through her,” Thrush explained. She also has a program for parents. “Every time I complete a film through my work, I use that exposure to be able to have more influence on youth.”

She is excited about receiving the Aboriginal Role Model award.
“I am so honoured, and I’m encouraged by it to continue. I am expecting a busy fall and winter, performing wherever I can, and then in the spring and summer I’ll be returning to my film shooting schedule.”

Irene Morin has hosted and organized the Aboriginal Role Models of Alberta Program for many years. Participants are nominated by someone from their community who feels the individuals are making a difference and are therefore worthy of recognition.
Categories of excellence include arts, business, community development, lifetime achievement, leadership and education.

“The criteria are similar to the National Aboriginal Achievements Awards, except theirs is national and ours is provincial,” Morin said. “We have so many Aboriginal achievers, and they deserve to be recognized.”