I Am Indigenous

I am ... Melinda Henderson

2011-11-28T11:17:00.000-08:00

Melinda Henderson is a talented singer and a member of North Spirit Lake.

I am ... Lee Kamenawatamin

2010-09-21T07:13:00.000-07:00

Lee, top centre, is a talented fashion designer. The Michikan Lake member started designing in high school after being encouraged to join a sewing club. In the past year Lee has been a part of and produced three fashion shows. He's working on another collection that will debut in Winnipeg this December. Alyssa Wise-man, 15 of Sioux Lookout and Caidence Paleske, 17 from Chicago Il model two of Lee's creations.

I am ... Steven Wesley

2010-06-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

Steven is a super talented musician and the front man for one of the best hard rock bands in northwestern Ontario – Rezmyth

I am ... Mike McKay

2010-06-13T18:21:00.001-07:00

Mike is an architectural engineer who works for Windigo Tribal Council in Sioux Lookout.

I am ... Waawaate Fobister

2010-05-31T19:08:00.000-07:00

Waawaate Fobister is a dynamic talent. He's a contemporary dancer and actor who has written, produced and acted in his own play, which debuted in Toronto. The Grassy Narrows member has acted in numerous theatre productions.

Celebrating the Creators - Art Gallery Presentation

2010-04-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

We are very honoured to have this piece part of the Celebrating the Creators - Aboriginal Artists of Northwestern Ontario Exhibit at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery April 3 to May 23. We also had the honour to showcase the presentation during the opening night reception April 9, where many friends and family members came out to support us both. The gallery was packed as many of the 55 artists were in attendance with their own friends and family. It was quite the evening.

A special thanks to Nick Sherman, who provided an original song written and recorded just for this presentation. Nick is also one of our subjects. Also, thanks to Roxann Shapwaykeesic, who designed our logo. And a big thanks to Jean Marshall, exhibit curator, for bringing us on board and believing in our work. And thanks to all those who came out to support us, especially the friends and family who came in from out of town. It means a lot.

Congratulations to all the other artists who were part of this awesome show. There is some top notch amazing work going on in this region. If you are in Thunder Bay, head down to the gallery and check out the work.

Song lyrics:

Just saw my dreams under water
Trying to forget how I got here
I swear I swear I'm my father
Steppin' down holding on to god's word

Oh I can run
Oh I can run
Oh I can run

My feet were cold and your lips were warm
Talk about a war in your heart, son
If you can live with my shit(stuff), girl, than you're the one
I never held on perfect but sometimes just enough

Now, now you can run
Now, now you can run
Now, now you can run

Now, now we can run
Now, now we can run
Now we can run

I am ... Michelle Derosier

2010-03-14T09:22:00.000-07:00

Michelle Derosier is a rare combination of beauty, intellect and talent. She's an award-winning filmmaker and is co-owner of Thunderstone Pictures Inc. – a film company based in Thunder Bay. Michelle is originally from Eagle Lake First Nation. She is also a social worker.

I am Indigenous Presentation

2009-10-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

We were asked to speak to a group of students, so we put together this video slideshow presentation for them. We love sharing the project with people and getting an opportunity to speak to youth was fantastic. We really appreciate being able to show others just how diverse Indigenous Peoples really are.

And huge thank-you to Stye aka The Sunsetting Kidd for allowing us to use a track off his latest CD. We really appreciate it!

I am ... Juliette Blackhawk

2009-10-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

Lac Seul member Juliette Blackhawk is an Ojibwe language teacher and education assistant at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Sioux Lookout. She is one of those people who have taken responsibility for teaching and sharing the culture of the Anishnawbeg. As such, she is widely respected in the community. Aside from teaching the language, Juliette is a ceremony keeper, conducting sweat lodges and full moon ceremonies. Gentle and calm, she radiates warmth and kindness, evident in the images we captured.

Shout out!

2009-09-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

Our beautiful header was designed by Roxy Shapwaykeesic, a talented graphic designer and art director for Wawatay Native Communications Society.

So big, huge thank you to Roxy!

I am ... Nick Sherman

2009-08-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Nick is one of those rare people. Not only is he a talented musician, he's also gracious, funny and intelligent. His music could be categorized as folk, but using one word to describe his style wouldn't really do him justice. If you get the opportunity, see Nick live. And naturally check out his myspace page: myspace.com/nickjsherman

I am... portrait session with Josephine

2009-06-03T18:54:00.000-07:00

Josephine Mandamin is a gentle spirit, yet she is full of conviction and determination. Her passion and devotion to ensure the protection of our water sources has brought her around all five Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. As a grandmother, Josephine believes it is the responsibility of the woman to take care of our sacred water. She is truly an individual who lives by the teachings and values of the Anishnawbe culture. She now residents in Thunder Bay, but is originally from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island.

Update on the I am... project: Adrienne and I continue to work at the project, but we took a bit of a break after our first exhibit held at the A-Frame Gallery in Sioux Lookout during the month of March. Many thanks to all those who stopped by to show their support. And thanks to Wawatay News and Sioux Bulletin for the coverage. From this exhibit, I'm even more encourage to continue this project. Josephine was our first session since the showing and many more are planned in the coming months. Chi-miigwetch.

I am ... portrait sessions 4, 5 and 6

2008-12-05T21:01:00.000-08:00

Jesse Terry is an avid rock climber who lives in Sioux Lookout and is a member of Lac Seul First Nation. Jesse has also travelled to Bolivia and Finland as part a cultural youth exchange program for Aboriginal youth.

Norma Kejick is devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She is also a strong voice for the prevention of suicide. She organized an annual event to raise awareness about suicide after the death of her nephew, Eric, in 2005. Norma lives in Lac Seul First Nation.

Cal Kenny is multi-layered talent and devoted father. The multimedia producer is also a photographer and painter who resides in Sioux Lookout and is a member of Lac Seul First Nation.

I am ... portrait session #3

2008-11-16T15:50:00.000-08:00

Randy Moskotaywenene is a bear of man who oversees the daily operation of WRN in Sioux Lookout. For all his outward physical strength, Randy is deeply devoted to his wife and children. The Michikan Lake member started with Wawatay Radio Network as a casual console operator but quickly earned more and more responsibilities as managers took notice of his hard work and dedication.

In addition, "I am" is now comprised of myself and Brent Wesley – Wawatay Native Communications Society interim media director. Brent and I will be working together and sharing photo credits for all "I am" images.

We decided to work together for a few reasons. Mine was simply to bring someone in who believes in some of the same things I do which is mainly celebrating all that's positive about Indigenous cultures and people through photography. Brent had also been seeking a creative outlet to hone his photography skills.

Randy's portrait was our first collaborative effort.

I am ... portrait session #2

2008-11-09T19:30:00.000-08:00

Michael Dube is a children's television show producer. I've known Mike for a long time and have always admired his dedication. He developed, produced and directed WWT Kids TV – a half-hour children's show dedicated to preserving Nishnawbe language and culture.

For all his humour, Mike is deeply committed to living life in a meaningful manner and he has a gentle thoughtful approach that is a curious mixture of intense seriousness and sublime wit.

I'm hoping that as this project grows mainstream societies will begin to see not only the richness of Indigenous cultures but also see the commonalities that binds us all.

I am ...

2008-11-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

I've started a new personal project this week, something that's been sitting in my heart for a long time now. I've always wanted to celebrate Nish people and culture through a series of portraits.

Despite our obvious hardships both socially and politically, we're comprised of many beautiful and diverse nations. Within those nations are many vibrant souls - all carrying their own strengths, values and beliefs. People we look up to. People we admire. People we honour. Whether it's your brother, your aunt, your friend or your neighbour, we all look to someone who inspires us to be better human beings.

Over the next couple of years I'll be photographing as many people as I can.

My goal is to get the series into galleries and eventually published into a book. In the meantime, some of the images will be published in Sagatay-Wasaya Airways in-flight magazine published by Wawatay News.

Stye Quequish is a young hip hop artist residing in Sioux Lookout. He's also a powwow dancer. I first met Stye for a magazine shoot. He struck me as someone I wanted to photograph again. He has a strong quiet presence and although only in his early 20s, he knows who he is and what he wants to contribute to life. He impressed me as one of those youth who not only raps a positive message but who also lives his life in the same manner.

He was a pleasure to work with, not only did he get up incredibly early - our first shoot started at 7 am, but he also suggested a late afternoon time to give me some choices.

Here are some other images from the two-part shoot ...