THE ANIMALS Guided by their great-grandparents' the children discover important life lessons revealed by the seven animals. Never before has this ancient aboriginal wisdom been shared in this way!

Meet the People behind the Voices.

Tracey McCorrister as EAGLE Tracey McCorrister grew up in Winnipeg. She has appeared on TV, screen and stage, most recently in Ian Ross, Governor General's award-winning play fareWel at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Tracey's heart lies in the promotion of Aboriginal theatre. She is a founding member of As The Bannock Burns Theatre Company, where she has starred, produced and directed numerous productions. Her two children, Rochelle and Jez, are thrilled their mom will be bringing a character to life in TIPI TALES.

Tina Keeper as BUFFALO Tina Keeper is best known to audiences around the world for her role of Michelle Kenidi on the successful CBC television series North of 60. Tina and her family moved to Winnipeg from northern Manitoba when she was four years old. Her introduction to theatre came when her sister drafted her to help with wardrobe for a native theatre group in 1982. She went on to stage-manage and later, perform. She completed the acting program at the University of Winnipeg while working on a double major in History and Theatre. Keeper supplemented her stage work with workshops in mime, improvisation and dance. After only two film parts, one of which was For Angela, an NFB short film, Keeper landed the lead in North of 60 - "a dream come true." In 1994, the critically acclaimed dramatic series North of 60 received nine Gemini Award nominations, including Best Dramatic Series and Best Actress for Tina Keeper. She was nominated in 1995 and 1996 for the Gemini Award. Finally, in 1997 there was great celebration when she won her Gemini for Best Actress in a Continuing Series. She was also chosen to co-host the 1995 Gemini Awards national telecast with Alliance Communications, Due South star Paul Gross.

Ray St. Germain as BEAR, Ray St. Germain began singing and performing at the age of 14. He is well known to television audiences across Canada as the host of Big Sky Country which ran on Global Television from 1978 Ð 1990. Ray has toured Canada and the world with The Ray St. Germain Show. Over the years he has received the Aboriginal Order of Canada, Saskatchewan's Order of The Sash and the Manitoba Association of Country Arts (MACA) Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Male Vocalist Ð Recording Artist. Currently he is an On-Air Personality on NCI-FM, Manitoba's #1 Aboriginal Radio Network.

Gerry (The Big Bear) Barret as SABE Gerry Barrett is a status Ojibway from the Saugeen First Nation located in Southern Ontario. Barrett is a veteran broadcaster and also one of Canada's favourite Aboriginal stand-up comedians. He is currently working as the Morning Host on Manitoba's Aboriginal Radio Network, NCI-FM and developing his first television comedy special.

Ted Longbottom as BEAVER Ted Longbottom is a Manitoba Metis musician, storyteller and recording artist. His debut CD, Longbottom, achieved critical acclaim and was featured across the country on CBC Radio, as well as receiving airplay in the United States, Australia and Europe. His new CD River Road celebrates Aboriginal culture and traditions and has produced three top ten hits on NCI. Recently, Ted composed the music for the hit television series Quest for the Bay (History Channel), completed Buffalo Tales, a musical retelling of Manitoba Aboriginal history (CBC) and My Father's Bones, a tribute to the Metis and Aboriginal warriors of Canada's past. Ted has also appeared on Fred Penner's The Season (a Christmas special) and was profiled on CBC Television's On The Road Again. Ted performs throughout Canada and the U.S.

Curtis Johnnie aka Shingoose as WOLF Better known as Shingoose, Curtis Johnnie has been a singer/songwriter, TV host, producer, actor, entertainment consultant and Native cultural events director for the past three decades. Currently, he is back in the spotlight with Indian Time III Ð 500 Years of Feelings, an entertainment special for APTN and Bravo. His new CD, on the First Artists label, will be released in April 2003.

Marsha Knight as TURTLE Marsha Knight has been active in the Winnipeg arts community for 10 years. In theater, her roles include Calpurnia in To Kill a Mockingbird (Prairie Theater Exchange), Phyllis in fareWel (Prairie Theater Exchange, Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Mary in Crisis In Oka, (Wow Pow Theater) and Philomena in The Rez Sisters (Prairie Theatre Exchange). In film and video, she has appeared in the television movies Society's Child (CBC) and Framed (TNT) and the feature film, Edge of Madness (Lion's Gate Films). In addition, Marsha also worked as Co-Director for Rossbrook House's Hep-C Theater Project and is a member of the collective Bannock Burns Theater. Marsha currently works as a Classroom Drama Facilitator.