Margaret Cardinal, Grouard, Alberta Margaret Cardinal grew up on a reserve learning traditional Woodland Cree arts such as embroidery, doll making, teepee making, and quill and beadwork from family members. She teaches a variety of crafts as an instructor of Native Cultural Arts at the Northern Lakes College in Grouard, but specializes in teepee making and crafting dolls using natural materials such as smoked deer hide, sheep wool, and porcupine quills. She is also an instructor of cultural history and an expert on the importance of traditional crafts. Barry Finkelman, Medicine Hat, Alberta Barry Finkelman is General Manager of the Historic Clay District at Medicine Hat. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the development of industry in Medicine Hat and the successful efforts to preserve the historic sites. Barry is an adult educator, a former business owner, and feature columnist for the Medicine Hat News and Expression Magazine. Scott Hardy, Longview, Alberta Although Scott Hardy was born into a five-generation family of ranchers, he chose to devote himself to another aspect of Canadian cowboy culture—working with silver. He lives in the heart of the southern Alberta foothills with his wife, two children, and a herd of longhorns. As one of the premier artists in his field, Scott creates exquisite silver belt buckles and saddle pieces, as well as jewelry and other personal items. He has received numerous awards for his work, which is sought by collectors throughout the world. www.scotthardy.com Basil Leismeister, Medicine Hat, Alberta Basil Leismeister worked at Medalta Potteries and Hycroft China. Although officially retired, he has been working as the Resident Jiggerman at the Historic Clay District, producing classic crocks and bowls using traditional jiggering techniques. Admired by modern ceramic artists, he is a consummate storyteller of the days when pottery was the dominant industry in Medicine Hat. D.C. Lund, Taber, Alberta D.C. Lund is a cattle rancher, large-animal veterinarian, and champion steer wrestler from southern Alberta. His father was also a champion steer rider, and his wife is a champion barrel racer. However, what brings him to the 2005 Festival is his role as an acclaimed Albertan painter. D.C. is well traveled in Canada and beyond (including the Arctic), and his watercolors reflect his experiences. D.C. joins his son Corb Lund, a well-know musician, at this year's Festival. Les Manning, Medicine Hat, Alberta Les Manning is currently the artistic director of the Medalta International Artists in Residence Program. For over thirty years he has been producing ceramic works that have been exhibited and collected in Asia, Europe, Egypt, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. Les also conducts workshops and finds time in his schedule for curatorial, jury, consulting, and design work. Laura McLaughlin, Edmonton, Alberta Laura McLaughlin was born and raised in Prairie Echo, northern Alberta, and began sewing by hand with her grandmother when she was four years old. She later decided to make sewing a full-time job so that she could stay at home with her children. Her home-based business specializes in traditional Native and contemporary Métis clothing, often incorporating the Métis sash. Ben Moses, Edmonton, Alberta Ben Moses was raised on the Saddle Lake Cree Reserve and now lives in Edmonton. He has a Master in Education Policy Studies degree and works for the Native Friendship Centres Association of Alberta. His free time is spent researching the material culture of the traditional Plains Cree and making rawhide objects and relief carvings. Ben is joined at the Festival by his wife, Melissa. Melissa Moses, Edmonton, Alberta Melissa Moses is a Northern Cree-Métis craftswoman who grew up in Cold Lake, Alberta. Melissa has taught at various colleges and currently works in the Royal Alberta Museum's Discovery Room. She is well-known for her beadwork, and her favorite crafts are hide tanning, porcupine quill work, and moose hair embroidery. Melissa is joined at the Festival by her husband, Ben. Eli Snow, Morley, Alberta Although he is only 20 years old, Eli Snow is extremely talented at beading. He was raised on the Stoney Reserve as a member of the Nakoda First Nation. He is also active in traditional dance, and often researches and makes traditional Sioux designs for dance regalia. Eli also does porcupine quill wrappings and makes medicine wheels and pipe bags. He is joined at the Festival by his aunt, Teresa Snow. Teresa Snow, Morley, Alberta Teresa Snow, a member of the Nakoda First Nation, began her career by making her own fancy shawl dance regalia for powwows. She was soon being commissioned to create outfits for other dancers. She is well-known for her shawls and now creates her own contemporary designs reflecting her cultural background. Teresa has made several dancing outfits for a world champion hoop dancer, and recently started her own clothing line. Chuck Stormes, Millarville, Alberta Chuck Stormes, a world-renowned saddlemaker, lives next to his shop at the edge of the foothills of southern Alberta. After training in the last of Calgary's pioneer saddleries, Chuck opened his own saddle shop nearly 40 years ago, and has been producing unique saddles with painstaking craftsmanship for both working cowpunchers and private collections ever since. His deep knowledge of and respect for western traditions and the history of the craft have made him a popular lecturer in Canada and the United States. www.chuckstormes.com