Saturday Opening Ceremony

Saturday Opening Ceremony

10:00-10:10 AM – Welcome and land acknowledgement by emcee Gift Tshuma
10:10-10:20 AM – Ceremony Opening by Indigenous Elder Marsha Ireland

Speaker Bios

Gift Tshuma is a Moncton-based singer/songwriter/musician, technologist, and disability-rights advocate dedicated to transforming access to music and creative technology. Born in Zimbabwe, he blends his musical practice with a commitment to inclusive design, co-founding Blurring The Boundaries, an organization that develops open-source, accessible digital musical instruments built collaboratively with disabled musicians. Gift also led the United Tribulation Choir, a multilingual ensemble that incorporated gospel, R&B, beatboxing, and live looping to create community-driven performances.

Through his advocacy, public speaking, and creative leadership, Gift challenges systemic barriers and promotes equity in the arts, education, and employment. His work positions accessibility not as an afterthought, but as a catalyst for innovation, expression, and meaningful participation in the arts.

LinkedIn: @GiftTshuma & @TshumaConsulting
Website: Blurring The Boundaries

Marsha Ireland is a proud member of the Oneida Nation and Turtle Clan, a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who has dedicated her life to advocating for her community. With the guidance of the Creator, she has developed Oneida Sign Language and travelled across Turtle Island to share it, support Deaf First Nations, and provide Land Acknowledgements in her language, earning recognition as an educator and Elder.