About Sandra Laronde

Sandra Laronde is a highly accomplished visionary leader, multidisciplinary artist, and a force behind the Indigenous cultural resurgence of Canada.

Sandra is recognized across Canada and internationally for her exceptional work in bringing Indigenous arts and culture to the forefront. Sandra Laronde (Misko Kizhigoo Migizii Kwe, “Red Sky Eagle Woman”) is from the Teme-Augama Anishinaabe and grew up in Temagami, Ontario. She attended the University of Toronto (Honours Bachelor of Arts) and founded Red Sky Performance.

Revolutionizing the Creative Industry

As the founding artistic director of Red Sky Performance, Canada’s leading Indigenous contemporary performance company, Sandra has revolutionized the industry with bold new forms of storytelling and innovative collaborations in dance, theatre, music, and multimedia. The company has performed close to 4,000 shows on stages in 22 countries on 4 continents. Her inexhaustible energy extends to cultural diplomacy, forging stronger ties by representing Canada on prestigious global stages and at influential international events such as the Venice Biennale, Canadian Heritage’s inaugural Creative Industries Trade Mission to China, a Trade Mission to Europe, two Cultural Olympiads (Beijing and Vancouver), and the ASSITEJ World Congress in Soweto, South Africa, among others.

Championing Indigenous Arts, Culture and Leadership Worldwide

For nine years, Sandra served as Director of Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, where she provided visionary leadership and shaped the artistic and strategic direction of Indigenous Arts for the 21st century. She was also a lead curator for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra on various projects and founded the Associate Artist program to support and fast-track the careers of emerging Indigenous arts leaders. A sought-after speaker and lecturer, Sandra has presented at arts summits, universities and other educational institutions and cultural events across Canada, the United States, Africa, and Asia.

A Trailblazer Honoured for Her Impact

Sandra’s numerous accolades reflect her exceptional impact on the arts. Her many awards and honours include the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in Dance, Governor General of Canada’s Meritorious Service Cross, the Order of Ontario, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation, the Canada Council for the Arts Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award for Outstanding Artist in Dance, the Indspire Award for the Arts, the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Indigenous Artist Award, the Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize, and an honorary doctorate from Trent University. Her work continues to inspire, most recently with her debut novel, She Holds Up the Stars (Annick Press) which received the Kirkus Star which recognizes books of exceptional merit, was named one of the Best Canadian Books for Young Adults by CBC Books and won the Horace Mann Upstander Award.