Entertainer of the Month
Stephanie Harpe
She is a vibrant and strong woman. Her drive is in the right place and so is her motivation. She wants to make a better Canada for indigenous people and is willing to put her heart and soul into the hard work of paving that street. Stephanie Harpe is a fantastic woman on a mission of greatness, but the amazing part about her is that there are many outlets where this greatness can flourish...the big question is, which outlet is the winner?
She is a musician, she is an actress, a public speaker and a strong advocate and voice to the missing and murdered indigenous women of Canada. I got a chance to chat with her and find out a bit more
When did music become a part of your life?
"Music has always been a part of my life. My parents were both music lovers and collected records and a-traks. They also loved all kinds of music so I was blessed to be around such variety.
When I was 10, I joined choir. My teacher said that I had a beautiful voice and immediately put me into the professional choir of Fort McMurray.
At 18, I met Jeff Healey. He offered to help me build a career but at that time, I was too young and was not ready for what he wanted to offer. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life yet.
It was in 2005 that I decided to make a serious career move in music. My brother moved in, I contacted Jeff Healey and got it started.
My third show was opening up for Trooper and after the show, they came and partied on the first nations community with us in Fort MacKay First Nations."
Stephanie's latest album is self titled, 'The Stephainie Harpe Experience' (and can be purchased here).
Currently, this album has been heard and purchased all over the globe! Sirius Radio caught on to the music and now has it playing on 10 different channels!
She also has a single coming out, called A Warriors Call, written with Cindy Paul. They wrote it for the World indeginious Games,
"I can easily say that I have the best musicians in the city on it!"
This band is also playing along with some heavy hitters! For instance, their last show was with David Wilcox. She has even opened for Buckcherry!
This year, Stephanie was the first indigenous woman to present, be nominated and showcase at the after party for the Edmonton Music Awards. "It was wonderful"
"I wanna THANK my manager Jeff McGinnis and co manager Robert Habkirk, Cameron Noyse and Heather Williams"
So that's the music, remember when we mentioned multiple outlets? Well, she is an actress too!
When did you decide to become an actress?
"My friend, Nathaniel Arcand, told me that the series Blackstone was looking for extras. I started as a background extra on the pilot episode, then got promoted to assistant to background casting agent to agent and in season 5, I became Rita, The Blackstone Band Councilor.
When I became an agent, that is when my husband and I started Shapeshifters Talent. "
Coming up for Stephanie is the release of Land, directed by Babak Jalali. Stephanie plays a struggling addict trying to survive while the movie really dives into life in an American Indigenous Community. It is set to be a world wide release, stay tuned for the announcement of the release date!