Paul Chaput MA, PhD
Producer, Director, Writer, Narrator
Paul Chaput is a Métis artist, entrepreneur, and academic. An actor, singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and poet, Chaput is the founder and president of Creative Consulting, a registered Aboriginal business, since 1992.
In November 2015 Chaput completed his PhD in the Department of Geography at Queen’s University. His dissertation uses film as a research methodology to bring findings back to Indigenous communities and to engage the public on the subject of Native Studies curricula.
His April 2012 MA thesis, “Native Studies in Ontario High Schools: Revitalizing Indigenous Cultures in Ontario,” details the role of Indigenous educators, leaders, and community members in the history of Native Studies curricula in publicly funded high schools in Ontario from the early 1970s to the present.
Planting Stories, Feeding Communities: Knowledge, Indigenous Peoples, and Film, an hour-long film that tells the stories of three Six Nations Educators’ contributions to the creation of Native Studies curricula in Ontario, premiered at Six Nations, Tyendinaga, and Kingston during July of 2015.
Before beginning his career as an academic, Paul co-produced, hosted, and narrated 26 episodes of Finding Our Talk: A Journey Through Aboriginal Languages, which aired on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network beginning in 2003. He wrote and directed five APTN episodes, as well as two docudramas for Nishnawbe Aski Legal Services to help re-introduce Restorative Justice principles in Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s northern communities (http://www.nanlegal.on.ca/article/nalsc-photos-and-videos-116.asp).
As a musician and lyricist, Paul was nominated for Best Male Vocalist and Best Folk Album at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards in 2001 and 2004. His lyrics deal with relationships, the beauty of the natural world, and harmony with nature. Chaput helped to found the Métis Arts Festival in Toronto, and was the Artistic Director in its first three years.
In his spare time Paul enjoys reading, making wood carvings, writing poetry, and composing music.
In 1995 Chaput was awarded the Star of Courage by then Governor General Romeo Leblanc.
About the Team
Jon Aarssen
Co-Producer, Editor, Director of Photography
Paul Chaput MA PhD and Jon Aarssen BA at their Spring 2016 Department of Geography Convocation, Queen’s University.
BA in Geography & Current MA Candidate – Queen’s University Department of Geography & Planning
[BIO TEXT]
Maggie Bentley
Co-Producer, Continuity, Archival Materials
BA in Psychology – Queen’s University | Master of Education (Curricular Development) – MacArthur College at Queen’s University
[BIO TEXT]
Annie Palone
Storyline Editor
BA in English – Stanford University | Master of Landscape Architecture, MS in Urban Design – University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture
Learn more about Annie @ about.me/anniepalone
Paul’s father Andre Chaput with Maggie Bentley, Dr. Chaput, and Annie Palone. Department of Geography and Planning, Queen’s University, Convocation Spring 2016.