Dana Moraes
Writer | Casting Director | Production Manager | 2nd AD
G̱id uuwans, Dana Moraes, belongs to the Ts’aahl Haida Eagle Clan of Kaay Llaanas and is of Haida and Musqueam descent. She is passionate about Indigenous Film, Economic Development and Indigenous Community Planning.
Dana has also worked as a Casting Director, Production Manager, 2ndAssistant Director and now a Screening Coordinator for the film Edge of the Knife. Currently She is employed as a proposal writer and more recently as the Executive Director for Gwaalagaa Naay Corporation (Economic arm of the Skidegate Band Council). For the past four years Dana has also proudly been part of Indigenous and Northern Affairs’ Mentorship Initiative and welcomes opportunities to present, facilitate and share knowledge of her communities planning experience, nation to nation.
Dana’s expertise includes a diverse range of planning experience including comprehensive, land use, and project-based planning. Her passion for planning began while running Swan Bay Rediscovery Program, a cultural youth camp, where she observed the need for programs that connected youth, elders and language. This is a value that she brings forward into everyday work. Dana continues to support community programs working with elders and youth honoring tradition, language and protocol.
Raised in Ladner, Dana attended Kwantlen University College where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology). Recently, she completed the Northwest Canadian Aboriginal Management Program with the Peter B. Gustvason School of Business at UVIC. She enjoys teaching for Post Secondary Institutes such as UVIC and Haida Gwaii Institute on Presentation Skills, Proposal Writing and Community Development
After traveling extensively for several years, she returned to Haida Gwaii where she met her husband, and began a family. Through her travel experience Dana gained a love for languages and food and enjoys entertaining. She now resides in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii, with her husband and four children. They spend their free time with their extensive family food gathering, hunting and fishing.
