April 2023 – Draw Us In film premier

This event showcased the premier of a trilogy of films produced in collaboration with Teegatha’Oh Zhee and Inclusion Yukon – National and regional advocacy organizations serving individuals who live with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The films were presented at a gala held at an unusual venue – the Tintina Airline Hangar in Whitehorse, Yukon.

The original films, which were produced in the Yukon between September 2022 and January 2023, premiered at this event.

Draw Us In - profiling the practice of 12 artists with intellectual disabilities.

Draw Us In (Aimee) – comedy profile of woman who lives with Downs Syndrome

Draw us In (Murdoch) – a short documentary about a young man who lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder, his work as a glass artist, and how the community accommodates and celebrates him.

The event also hosted the unveiling of a sculpture exhibition that featured 29 individuals who identify as neuro diverse. Everyone created a suitcase of memories that reflected their lives and inclusion. 

Production credits:

 Producer/Director -  Julie Robinson

Producer for Teegatha’Oh Zhee – Rebecca Dacko-Brink

Writer/Choreography/Marketing – Julie Robinson

Musical Director Andrea Mc Coleman

Original Music Collaboration – Matthew Lien

Film production team- Julie Robinson Director and Producer, Editor Carlo Alcos, Tookie Mercredi.

Inclusion Yukon (collaborating organization) – I partnered with disability non-profit organizations to produce the films and the suitcase sculptures. 

Masters of Ceremony – Aimee Lien, an artist who lives with Down Syndrome and Sandi Coleman retired CBC morning host.

November 2022 – Premier: Suitcase Stories

This sculpture art exhibition and multimedia production opened with a gala event at the Yukon Arts Centre, the territory’s premier performance space.

Julie Robinson and Teegatha’Oh Zhee, a Yukon non-profit that serves adults who live with intellectual disabilities and Inclusion Yukon, collaborated on this multimedia production.

Twenty-nine artist who live with intellectual disabilities and four mothers who have children have children living with disability created individual suitcase sculptures that portray their lives. One-hour production included original songs, and spoken word written by artists who live with intellectual disabilities as well as original dance numbers.

The suitcase installation was held for two months at the Yukon Arts Centre – Whitehorse Yukon November 2021 to January 2022

Event production: 

Julie Robinson Producer/Director/ Choreography /Writer

Teegatha’Oh Zhee producer – Rebeca Dacko-Brink

Collaboration with Teegatha’Oh Zhee and Inclusion Yukon – National and regional advocacy organization serving individuals who live with intellectual disabilities and their families.

 Musical Director Andrea Mc Coleman.

Inclusion Yukon collaborating organization – I partnered with these two disability non-profit organizations to produce the films and the suitcase sculptures. 

Community film distribution

Several films produced by Ynklude Yukon have continued public rotation with the community information channel (905) for the last eight years. 

May 2015- Inclusive Performance You Don’t Know Jack

This inclusive performance was held at the Yukon Firehall a large regional performance space in downtown Whitehorse.

Director/ Producer/Writer/Filmmaker – Julie Robinson

Musical Director – Andrea McColeman

Vocal Director– Nicole Edwards

MC – Sandi Coleman

The multimedia production featuring six short original films:

-   You Don’t Know Jack – short documentary about a Older brother perspective on his younger brother who lives with autism spectrum disorder. 

- Siblings – short documentary about teenaged siblings who have a brother or sister who lives with an intellectual disability. 

- Grace and Beauty music video and original song written in a mother’s retreat for mothers of children with intellectual disabilities.  

- Forever Mom – mothers of children with intellectual disabilities give heartfelt descriptions of the grit it takes to be a mother of child who is diagnosed with an intellectual disability

- Sound Faith – Cheri Wilson who lives with blindness and an intellectual disability sings her faith 

- Deal With It Sister – a young woman with Charge Syndrome lets loose a funny, witty and thought-provoking rant about life with disability.

The event also featured original song and dance. The films were separated with both original songs written and composed by siblings of brothers and sisters who live with intellectual disabilities. Multiple businesses and Yukon funding sources were used to produce these films.

The troupe were joined by one of Yukon’s best recording jazz artists. Nicole Edwards, who has since passed, was diagnosed with scleroderma which complicated her music making. Because of this her understanding of the complexities of living with a disability made her work with our troupe very powerful and on the mark.

A performing troupe of 16 Yukoners individuals living with disabilities and their sisters and brothers.

November 2015 – Film Wins International Award

The Ynklude-produced You Don’t Know Jack was winner of the student prize at the Cinema Touching Disability Festival in Austin Texas. Filmmaker Julie Robinson, and student and sibling Kyle Nixon worked on this film that explored what life is like having a younger brother living with autism spectrum disorder.

Director -Kyle Nixon  

Videographer / Producer/Writer – Julie Robinson

April 2015 – Inclusive Performances

Ynklude toured the You Don’t Know Jack production to four schools prior to presenting to the public in May of 2015.

June 2014 – Yukon Home Grown Festival 

Nakia Theatre Yukon’s three-day eclectic arts festival featured performers who live with intellectual disabilities, siblings, and mothers of those artists. Fifteen performers who live with intellectual disabilities and family members created a spoken word, music and song production included in the festival at the Guild Theatre in Whitehorse.

Producer/Director/Writer – Julie Robinson

March 2014 – Dawson Short Film Festival

First Place youth award - Youth and sibling director of You Don’t Know Jack, Kyle Nixon, wins first place in the youth category at the Dawson International Short Film Festival. Julie Robinson was cinematography and producer.

Second place- Julie Robinson wins best emerging director award at Dawson International Film Festival award for short film Deal with It Sister. Written and performed by Mallory Pigage

March 2013 - Celebration of Inclusion in the Arts – Ynklude Gala

A showcase of the art and artists of Ynklude produced between 2012 – 2013. Included was the release of a three-book series on life with disabilities. My Brother/My Sister, Don’t Stare At Me, and Between a Rock and a Soft Spot. Exhibition of new visual art series life drawing series done by 14 women who live with intellectual disabilities participated in a session of life drawing session and an exhibition was produced. Release of two new short films - Sound Faith and Deal With It Sister.

Director/Producer/Writer/Filmmaker – Julie Robinson

Musical Director – Fides Kruker – Bad Hair Day Productions. Kruker is a Toronto based producer and music director.

November 2012 – Vancouver Canadian International Film Festival Music Video award of Excellence

Award of Excellence for music video production was presented to Grace and Beauty. Directed by Julie Robinson, the short film was a result of a three-day filmmaking workshop conducted by National Film Board that Julie Robinson attended. The film earned an award of excellence. Grace and Beauty was selected by the Dawson Film Festival as one of the films that toured the Yukon communities post festival as “Best of Show”. The film was also added to the National Film Board catalogue.

June 2012 – Home Grown Festival, Whitehorse 

Full Troupe performance – original songs spoken word produced by Ynklude artists and participants.  Produced/Directed/Writer – Julie Robinson

March 2012- Dawson Short Film Festival

Ynklude Film Grace and Beauty shown at the Dawson Film Festival. Selected to tour the territory as part of the festival’s ‘Best in Show’ presentation. The film’s score included What Will happen When I Die music by Brenda Lee Katerenchuck, lyrics by mother Jenny Jackson. The song was a result of a three-day music-writing weekend for mothers who have children with intellectual disabilities that Julie Robinson facilitated.

March 2012 – Feelin’ Our Spring –

Ynklude womens’ performance of new written works and song. YACL studio. Troupe of 40 Yukon artists with intellectual disabilities and their mothers.

Produced/Directed/Writer – Julie Robinson

October 2011 – Yukon Women’s Directorate Performance – Celebration of Women in the Arts. Original works – YACL studio

Produced – Julie Robinson

Director – Fides Kruker Bad Hair Day Productions

October 2011 – Photo Exhibit, Ottawa

Remounting of Whitehorse photographer Vince Federoff “’Ynkluding U” at United Nations Conference on Disability, Ottawa Canada. Federoff’s photojournalism exhibition featured the story of the women of Ynklude as we prepared for our variety show Tell Me More.

December 2010 – Whitehorse - Book Lauch 

Book launch and performance of Like a Diamond, Like Me – Women with intellectual disabilities art and poetry book and performance song spoken word – YACL studio. The book was a result of a season of writing personal stories and creating visual art of Yukon women who live with intellectual disabilities.

Producer- Julie Robinson

Directors – Julie Robinson and Joyce Majiski

Book Editor – Joyce Majiski – premier Yukon Artist

October 2010 – Whistler BC – Tell It Like It Is

Twenty members of the Ynklude troupe, artists with and without disabilities performed “Tell It Like It Is”. We performed at the national conference for the Canadian Association for Community Living.

 Co-production Julie Robinson and Fides Krucker and Good Hair Day Productions 

September 2010 – Yukon National Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Conference

Performance in Whitehorse Yukon Ynklude troupe artists with and without disabilities. Performing Yukon artists were Yukoners with and without dis

Co-production with Fides Krucker and Good Hair Day Productions and Julie Robinson Ynklude – Yukon

Fall 2009 – Books and Bodies 

A multimedia production of Ynklude’s recent works. Book release and live performance exhibiting Life Drawing series done by women who live with intellectual disabilities. Discovery of the female shape, series produced and directed by Julie Robinson, Meshell Melvin and the Yukon Art’s Center Jessica Vellenga. Vocal direction Fides Krucker good Hair Day Productions/Toronto.

Spring 2009 – Tell Me More

This original scripted variety show was performed at the Yukon Fire Hall. One week show run.  An inclusive troupe made up of Yukon artist living with intellectual disabilities and Yukon artist without disabilities.

 Co production Ynklude - Julie Robinson and Yukon’s Gwaandak Theatre – Patti Flathers

 Directed by Brian Fidler.  

January 2009 – Women’s Art Book Exhibition – Yukon Arts Centre.  

Yukon women with and without intellectual disabilities created individual autobiographical art books that portray each women’s life story. The installation ran for two months.

Co-produced and directed by Julie Robinson and Yukon artist Joyce Majiski.

January 2008- Nakai Pivot Winter Arts Festival- Super Heroes 

 Original songs presented at the alternate theatre festival.

Directors Good Hair Day – Fides Krucker and Julie Robinson

Producer – Julie Robinson

May 2008 – Home Grown Performance Art Festival - Go Angel Girlfriends 

Nakai Theatre ‘s three-day eclectic Home-Grown Performance Art Festival. An inclusive troupe of women artists who live with intellectual disabilities and Yukon artists without disabilities.

Co-producer and Directors Julie Robinson Ynklude and Patti Flathers of Gwaandak Theatre.

February 2007 – Autism Yukon –  Point of View – Photography  Installation – Yukon Arts Center

Artists who live with Autism Spectrum disorder worked with Photojournalists from the Yukon News Paper. Thirty-five artists who live with autism spectrum disorder spent the day on Main Street

Whitehorse taking pictures with their own point of view. The resulting photographs were a testament to a different point of view.

The installation was housed at the Yukon Art Center for two months.

Producer and Curator Julie Robinson

January 2006 – When I Dance

 Art show and Performance by Yukon Women artists with intellectual disabilities in collaboration with Yukon Arts Center.

 Collaboration producer and directors Jessica Vellenga, Yukon Art Centre,  and Ynklude’s Julie Robinson

May 2006 – Sparkle 

Original music and script performance, staged for the Guild Home Grown Performance Festival. Sparkle was selected as one of the best of festival – 

Produced by Julie Robinson

Director Bronwyn Jones.

February 2006 –Whitehorse Winter Rendezvous Festival. 

Wheelchair dance performance Mainstreet stage.

Producer Director – Julie Robinson Ynklude

Fall 2005 – Women’s Stories 

An evening of readings and personal journeys. Women with disabilities in collaboration with writer/director Patti Flathers and director/ producer Julie Robinson. The writings were inspired by a series of workshops conducted by writer Patti Flather.

Producers – Julie Robinson Ynklude and Patti Flathers – Gwandak Theatre

Directors – Julie Robinson Ynklude and Patti Flathers – Gwandak Theatre

February 2005 – Yukon Arts Centre- Dances with Wheels

Collaborative dance workshops and performance with director Charlene Curtis and Light Motion Wheelchair Dance Co. and producer Julie Robinson.

Director – Chalene Curtis – Light Motion Wheelchair Dance Co.

Producer – Julie Robinson

Other credentials and kudos

• Julie Robinson was a awarded a Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Award for contribution to Canadian Society – 2012

• Julie Robinson was awarded the Whitehorse Mayor’s award for Volunteer contribution to the City of Whitehorse 2006

• Prior to starting Ynklude in 2004 Julie worked in community development/counselling/recreation.

• She holds a Master of Education in Psychology Counseling and Leadership, University of Victoria 2000 and an undergraduate degree in Recreation and Psychology from the University of Brandon 1982

• National Film Board Community Film Making Training.

• Yukon Nakia script writing training

• Trained instructor of movement including wheelchair dance.

• In her early career she coordinated the Manitoba Northern Games and Cultural Festival. Organizing mainstream/indigenous sport and northern community and indigenous reserve performance and competition. This was the first of its kind in Manitoba. All northern reserves and communities participated with over 2,000 artists and athletes participating.

• Robinson was the founder of the Ynklude performing troupe in 2004. we started with a few members. We practiced and practiced and did our first public performance at Yukon’s biggest winter arts festival. We had many naysayers telling us that we couldn’t get grants, that we couldn’t perform at the level that people would want to come see us in the hundreds.

• Over the years we have astounded many, including ourselves, to what we have achieved. We are now seasoned performers, when early on the troupe’s stamina was short and we have to practice in small measure. Those same performers have staying power to practice for hours and never tire of trying and coming up with new ideas. 

• Prior to starting Ynklude in 2004 Julie worked in community development/counselling/recreation, successfully leading a three lobby Yukon government to establish a multi-million dollar department Yukon Family Supports for Children with Disabilities

• Robinson has used her community development and personal empowerment tools in her art production to give agency to Ynklude’s troupe members, affirming their desire as well as their skill at telling their own story. Robinson has learned on the job and over the years have gained more precise skill at supporting artists with intellectual disabilities to have the confidence to speak up, sing loud and show the audience who is truly alive in the room.