Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat Mshodenkwezhens – Strong Hearted Little Girl Emilee Ann is a eleven-year-old Fancy Shawl/Jingle Dress and Hoop Dancer. Emilee Ann is Pottawatomi/Ojibway and from the Thunderbird Clan. She is originally from the Wiikwemikoong Unceded Territory located on Manitoulin Island (Miidoo Miising). She is known as Emmie to her family and friends, and she lives in Toronto with her family. Emilee Ann loves dancing, arts, traveling, loves being with family and friends, attending pow wows and ceremonies (Sweat Lodge, Sunrise ceremonies and others), and loves her pets (two guinea pigs and 2 birds). Emilee Ann began dancing at 3 years old and shortly after her regalia was created her Auntie Peggy and mom, Sara coordinated her Coming Our Ceremony in 2016. She has traveled across Ontario to participate and compete at different pow wows. She was a Champion Fancy Shawl dancer at the age of 4 years old, and a year later she found her love for hoop dancing. At the “Every Child Matters Walk” in 2021, Emilee Ann struck up a conversation with Canadian recording artist Andrea Ramolo. It was through their friendship that Emilee Ann become involved in Andrea Ramolo’s powerful song called “Free” featuring Indigenous artist Kinnie Starr. Emilee Ann starred and co-directed the music video with Andrea and Kinnie. In March 2022, Emilee Ann become the youngest co-director at 8 years old to win a Canadian Independent Music Video Award (Folk Category) for her role in starring and co-directing “Free”. Emilee Ann was a guest hoop dancer at the Truth and Reconciliation Centers’ nationally televised event in 2022 and 2023 called – “Gidinawendimin”. Emilee Ann is represented by Vancouver based talent agency, Ignite Artists. Her work in the film and television industry is starting to blossom as she auditions on a continuous basis. Emilee Ann is trained by the Armstrong Acting Studios in Toronto. Currently Emilee Ann has two commercials to her credit, with the Dairy Farmers of Canada and the Joy Smith Foundation. Emilee Ann’s work with the National Public Service Campaign (launched on Feb. 22, 2023) through the Joy Smith Foundation highlights the importance of educating teenagers about “Knowing the Signs” of human trafficking.
