A First Nations Composer Bridging Tradition and Modernity Through Music

This Indigenous Peoples Day, Canadians Abroad honors Geneviève Gros-Louis, a Los Angeles–based First Nations composer, producer, and violinist from the Huron-Wendat Nation. Through her music, Geneviève builds bridges between generations, between worlds, and between tradition and modernity.

Dr. Gail Humble is a Canadian-American physician and researcher whose career bridges science, aesthetics, and innovation. A pioneer in regenerative medicine and aesthetic practice, she has spent more than 25 years advancing research on the Klotho gene and developing breakthroughs that are reshaping how we understand aging. While she now practices and leads biotech ventures in California, her Canadian roots remain an important part of her identity, shaping both her perspective and her path.

When Jacob Kantor steps on stage with Paris Chansons, audiences are  treated to soulful guitar, rich vocals, and just a dash of humor. Born in  Moscow and now calling Los Angeles home, Jacob brings his unique  background, including a Canadian connection, to the multilingual  ensemble that performs in English, French, Russian, and more. He  claims his trademark hat is to keep people from knowing he’s bald  (though we all suspect it anyway), and jokes that the real reason he’s in  the band is because he married one of the singers. Whatever the  reason, audiences are glad he’s there.

Escape Artist will be screening at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills on September 28th at 9:15pm as part of the Lady Filmmakers Film Festival. If you’re in the area, it’s a perfect opportunity to experience Sergine Dumais’s latest work on the big screen. And if you do attend, be sure to say hello! 

Watch her first film, Wichita, on Amazon Prime.

From the cold lakes of Quebec to the sunlit waves of California, Carolyn Day has spent her life chasing adventure, building community, and breaking barriers.

Originally from Pierrefonds, Quebec, Carolyn’s journey to the U.S. began in 1999 when she joined Cheval Theatre, a traveling show created by members of Cirque du Soleil. There, she became the first woman ever to perform a back handspring on a galloping horse and served as the company’s media spokesperson. By 2003, she had settled in California, pursuing a career as a stuntwoman and building a life deeply rooted in both performance and the ocean.

For Los Angeles-based painter Sylvain Latendresse, art has always been more than a career; it’s a way of being. Born in Jonquiere and raised in Lévis, Québec, Sylvain credits his early connection to nature and light to the Canadian artists who first inspired him: Jean-Paul Riopelle, Paul-Émile Borduas, and the Group of Seven. Their influence laid the groundwork for a lifelong journey of visual exploration.

Okay, somebody said something to me recently that I haven’t stopped thinking about.

We were having a conversation about raising capital and building regeneratively, two things I have been thinking about and informing my life lately—and they said,

“Oh, love that you’re Canadian. You already think more regeneratively.”

At first, I laughed. And then I paused. Because… huh?

Moving from Toronto to Los Angeles wasn’t just about swapping snow boots for sandals. It meant rethinking almost everything I knew about daily life. One week I was bundling up for preschool drop-off in a parka, and the next I was Googling the best sunscreen options for the February sun.

This Women’s History Month, let’s celebrate these inspiring Canadian trailblazers, who are proving that success knows no borders!

This Women’s History Month, let’s celebrate these inspiring Canadian trailblazers, who are proving that success knows no borders!

Candace Frazee, originally from Port Credit/Mississauga, Ontario, found her way to Pasadena, California, after marrying Steve Lubanski. What began as a heartfelt exchange between the couple—calling each other “Honey Bunny” and gifting bunny-themed treasures daily—blossomed into a remarkable collection. Together, they brought to life The Bunny Museum, a charming and enchanting haven dedicated entirely to rabbits, which first welcomed visitors in 1998.