Biography

Born in Moose Factory Ontario, Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin was raised by her Cree speaking grandparents in Moosonee, and also with her mother in Ottawa, a warrior of the Residential school system. Jules is a band member of Attawapiskat First Nation, the Ancestral lands of the MoshKeKo AsKi InNiNeWak. She resides in Vancouver with her family. She completed her PhD with GRSJ at the University of British Columbia, her research MooNaHaTihKaaSiWew: Unearthing Spirit focuses on Indigenous documentary methodologies. In 2010, she completed her masters at Ryerson University in Documentary Media where she was awarded the Award of Distinction for her thesis work, as well as the Graduate Ryerson Gold Medal for highest academic achievement. While in graduate school, she produced her first feature documentary film Remembering Inninimowin regarding her journey of remembering Cree. After graduation, Jules was one of six women selected for the Women in the Directors Chair program, where she directed a scene from her award-winning feature script Broken Angel. Her script was also selected for the TIFF's filmmaker lab, as well as the Whistler's Screenwriting lab where she worked with story editor/screenwriter Dennis Foon.

Jules' company VisJuelles Productions Inc. has a number of films and projects in development. Her television series AskiBOYZ (2016) co-produced with Big Soul Production is currently being aired on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) in both Cree and English. Over the last several years she has produced and directed three award-winning CBC docs: NiiSoTeWak: Two Bodies, One Heart (2017); OshKiKiShiKaw: A New Day (2019); and KaYaMenTa: Sharing Truths about Menopause (2020) - available on CBC GEM. Jules also released a number of other films/projects including Butterfly Monument (2017) about her relation, the late Shannen Koostachin with co-director/producer Rick Miller. Her award-winning narrative film OChiSkwaCho which screened at festivals worldwide. Jules latest two films MisTik (short narrative) and her feature drama Broken Angel are currently in festivals. Jules is now in post-production with her second feature Angela's Shadow, and she is in development with her third feature film KaTaWaSiSin, and her series Truth in Toronto. Jules' NFB feature documentary WaaPaKe and Chubby Cree with Soapbox Production will be premiering in festivals in 2023.

Jules was also part of the LA Blackmagic Collective Breakthrough Initiative where she has had opportunity to expand her talents into the American film and television industry. Jules is ACTRA, WGC and a DGC member. She was the Indigenous Storyteller in Residence with the Vancouver Public Library where she further developed her poetry, and soon after, Unearthing Secrets, Gathering Truths (2018) was published with Kegedonce Press. Jules will currently writing her novel Moccasin Souls. Jules is represented by The Characters in Vancouver for acting, and is the voice of Layla (Mom) on the new PBS Kids/CBC Kids animated series Molly of Denali. Jules is also represented by Lucas Talent for writing and directing. She carries extensive knowledge working in Indigenous community in several different capacities and these community experiences feed her arts practice.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Jules Koostachin