Margo Kane (Cree/Saulteaux) is an interdisciplinary artist and a leading figure in Aboriginal performing arts. Over the past forty years, she has been recognized as a storyteller, dancer, singer, animator, video and installation artist, director, producer, writer, and teacher. Her desire to create work that has meaning for her people is the catalyst for her extensive travels into both rural and urban Aboriginal communities across Canada, and fuels her commitment to performance that is not only socially relevant but empowering, as well.

Her work is nationally and internationally acclaimed, especially with the touring of Moonlodge that is recognized as a Canadian Aboriginal classic in theatre. This one-woman performance was originally presented in the oral tradition to Aboriginal audiences and performed to high acclaim in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Australia. It was adapted for CBC Radio and published in 1994.

She has extensive training and experience in many performance techniques. Song and dance were her earliest teachings along with dramatic training. Professional experience followed on Canadian stages, radio, TV and film. Her creativity knows no bounds--her own ‘voice’ has been a driving force in all that she does. Much of her work is grown out of physically-based exploration of story using techniques that include vocal and voice, authentic movement, sourcing, rivers work and improvisation. Margo's constant desire to integrate her experiences as an Aboriginal person with her artistic skills has fueled extensive experimentation with form, allowing her work to cross cultural and creative boundaries.

Her solo performance pieces have been rooted in the oral tradition of storytelling and presented in a very ritualistic style using interdisciplinary techniques.  These include: Reflections in the Medicine Wheel, O Elijah, We’ve Always Been Here, Childhood Burial, Memories Springing/Waters Singing, I Walk I Remember, Confessions of an Indian Cowboy and Moonlodge.

Concerned as she was with issues of cultural access, she initiated the Vancouver forum, Telling Our Own Story: Appropriation and Indigenous Writers/Artists in 1989-90. In 1990 Kane was invited to join two committees of the Canada Council: Racial Equality and First Peoples' Advisory. In 1991 she developed the First Nations' Access Program with the Satellite Video Exchange in Vancouver. She envisioned a new performance using a video installation that enabled  experimentation with form and an interdisciplinary approach, extending from Aboriginal performance culture and the integration of image and performer. Thus began her thesis work on The River – Home.

It was with The River - Home that Margo formed Full Circle: First Nations Performance in 1992 to create and enable opportunities for Aboriginal artists, writers and performers. From the development of The River – Home came the development of the Ensemble Training Program as a core project of Full Circle: First Nations Performance, a culmination of her desire to share her work with others, whether onstage or in the classroom. As Aboriginal Artistic Director of Spirit Song Native Theatre School in Vancouver in the 1980s, she began to develop curricula based on stories and legends of Aboriginal communities in the region. She worked with Aboriginals, using theatre as a community development tool in her role as a facilitator with the National Native Role Model Program.  She continued to support other trained facilitators in their work with communities in Health and Wellness programs, using her dramatic training along with activities, games, and laughter.

The company has been a leader in its field by offering workshops, training projects and performance opportunities to the Aboriginal artistic community in Vancouver and has supported other artists in the development of their work, showcasing their artistic endeavours through readings and performances.

Over the past few years, Full Circle has been developing an annual event called the Talking Stick Festival.  The impetus behind the creation of this event was to establish a unique showcase for talented, emerging and professional artists, to engage Aboriginal cultural communities, and to introduce Vancouver's many audiences to contemporary Aboriginal artistic practices.

She has received numerous awards, nominations and recognitions for her performances for TV, film and stage. Her work with young people was recognized with the Canadian Achievement Award in 1991.

“I have always wanted to share my new discoveries and my ideas with those around me, and hopefully inspire by my example. I have been teaching and producing from a young age, pursuing a performing career that has now spanned 40 years and across many disciplines. I have witnessed the growth of the Aboriginal artistic community and have the privilege of contributing to the advancement of Aboriginal performance practice as well.”