Lisa Meeches

She later began news reporting for Craig Broadcasting Systems in Manitoba and Alberta, where she established a liaison team who connected the newsroom with surrounding First Nations communities. Her journalism career recently came full circle with a Beyond Borders Media Award for her work on Taken as co-creator, executive producer, and host, for which Lisa has also been nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards (Best Factual Series, Best Cross Platform Project). Lisa is also an episode director on the series. Lisa has produced numerous projects to critical acclaim. Among them, more than 230 hours of: The Sharing Circle, Canada’s longest running Indigenous television series; Ice Road Truckers one of the most popular television documentary series in US television history; Tipi Tales, a Parent’s Choice award winning children’s series; and Elijah, a Gemini Award winning MOW; and the 3 times nominated 2 time winner of CSA’s JACK. She Executive Produced the 4 time CSA nominee and 2 time winner We Were Children, which is widely praised by residential school survivors for its power to heal, while general audiences have been moved by its accurate and truthful portrayal of the impacts of Canada’s colonial past. Prior to this project, Lisa traveled the country with her team interviewing residential school survivors about their experiences for the Legacy of Hope project. For many, it was their first time sharing their story. As host of The Sharing Circle and Taken Lisa is a recognizable presence across Canada. Most recently Lisa served as Creative Director/ Executive Producer for the National MMIWG Inquiry. Her work was honoured with two gold medals at the international Shorty Awards, for excellence in social media. Other Eagle Vision Inc. productions include the comedies Lovesick, Walk All Over Me, which premiered at TIFF and sold to the Weinstein Company, the politically-charged romantic comedy Blue State, and the Academy Award-winning feature film Capote. Currently, Lisa is Co-Executive Producer on the CBC/eOne series Burden of Truth. Lisa also devotes considerable time to other causes. Lisa has been critical to the success of the Manito Ahbee Festival since its inception 12 years ago where she has acted in the capacity of board chair on a volunteer basis until recently stepping down to assume the role of Executive Director. True to her heritage, Lisa practices the customs of her faith and is a renowned champion fancy shawl dancer. Lisa is Executive Producer of Orange Daisy Project, a social action campaign in support of mental health for teen girls. Lisa has been the recipient of many local, regional, and national awards for her exemplary contributions in culture, media, and entrepreneurship. Among her numerous awards and nominations are: the 2007 National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Media & Communication, the 2009 YMCA-YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the area of Creative Communications, the 2009 University of Manitoba’s Excellence in Aboriginal Business Leadership Award, the Women in Film and Television 2009 Crystal Award for Mentorship, the Order of Manitoba, and she was even Ms. Chatelaine. The survivor of a stroke that nearly took her life, Lisa is the face of a campaign of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Lisa’s remarkable recovery, and her ongoing commitment to her career, her advocacy, and her family is an inspiration to many.

—Lisa Meeches