Blog

Host Spotlight – Lisa Meeches

Host Spotlight – Lisa Meeches

Lisa Meeches, Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Director, Host of Taken, is one of the most dynamic and respected producers in the film industry, who happens to be an Ojibway from Long Plain First Nation. One of her recent projects, 4 time CSA nominee and 2-time winner We Were Children, is widely praised by residential school survivors for its power to heal, while general audiences have been moved by its accurate and truthful portrayal of the impacts of Canada’s colonial past.

lisa meeches
Lisa Meeches. Copyright TAKEN Season 1 Inc. Photo Credit: Kyle Irving

Lisa has produced numerous projects to critical acclaim. Among them: more than 150 hours of The Sharing Circle, Canada’s longest running Aboriginal television series; Ice Road Truckers one of the most prolific television documentary series in US television history, Tipi Tales, a Parent’s Choice award winning children’s series; and Elijah, a Gemini Award winning MOW; and the 3 times nominated 2-time winner of CSA’s JACK.As host of The Sharing Circle, Lisa is a recognizable presence across Canada. Lisa conducts her film industry work through her three companies: Eagle Vision Inc., Meeches Video Productions, and Century Street Distribution. Other Eagle Vision Inc. productions include: Lovesick starring Jay Baruchel and Jessica Paré, Walk All Over Me, which premiered at TIFF and sold to the Weinstein Company, the politically-charged romantic comedy Blue State, and the Academy Award-winning feature film Capote.

After studying broadcasting in North Dakota, Lisa began her career in 1986 with the Winnipeg-based Native Media Network. She later began news reporting for Craig Broadcasting Systems in Manitoba and Alberta, where she established a liaison team who connected the newsroom with surrounding First Nations communities.

Lisa also devotes considerable time to other causes. Lisa has been critical to the success of the Manito Ahbee Festival since inception 11 years ago where she has acted in the capacity of board chair on a volunteer basis until recently stepping down to assume the role of Executive Director. Lisa also sits on the national board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. True to her heritage, Lisa practices the customs of her faith and is a renowned champion fancy shawl dancer.

Lisa has been the recipient of many local, regional, and national awards for her exemplary contributions in culture, media, and entrepreneurship. Among her numerous awards and nominations are: the 2007 National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Media & Communication, the 2009 YMCA-YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the area of Creative Communications, the 2009 University of Manitoba’s Excellence in Aboriginal Business Leadership Award and the Women in Film and Television 2009 Crystal Award for Mentorship. Lisa is married and has two wonderful sons and beautiful daughter.