Life and Times of a Modern Day NDN Princess

Congrats to ma sissy in law Heather Bell!! Her robe and hat are...

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:59:28 -0400

Congrats to ma sissy in law Heather Bell!! Her robe and hat are now part of the Yukon Permanent Art Collection (I have known for a while, but keeping it secret!)

“Heather Callaghan is an emerging artist whose work Sea to Mountain Trade Route Traveler’s Robe and Woven Hat was selected for the collection. Callaghan used cedar and Hawaiian fibres to explore themes such as travel routes and cultural exchange.

“Growing up in Yukon near some of the biggest mountains in the world gave me an adventurous spirit and I have spent many years traveling internationally on cultural exchanges, hiking trips and adventures in ecotourism,” Callaghan said. “It is an honour to have my work in the permanent art collection, to share my stories and to be part of such a great collective vision.” “

http://www.gov.yk.ca/news/13-135.html

More Johnny Depp ‘Tonto speak’ in the new “The...

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:49:00 -0400

More Johnny Depp ‘Tonto speak’ in the new “The Lone Ranger” trailer.

Ashley Callingbull (Enoch Cree) official Miss Universe Canada...

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:51:52 -0400

Ashley Callingbull (Enoch Cree) official Miss Universe Canada contestant photo!!

Pendleton dresses, Shayne Watson Designs (Diné) Via...

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:36:22 -0400

Pendleton dresses, Shayne Watson Designs (Diné)

Via fyeahindigenousfashion

Fringe Rebecca Belmore (Anishnaabe) Rebecca Belmore often uses...

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:42:04 -0400

Fringe

Rebecca Belmore (Anishnaabe)

Rebecca Belmore often uses the body to address violence against First Nations people, especially women. The woman in Fringe assumes the same reclining pose as the beautiful odalisques depicted by nineteenth- and twentieth-century European artists, but bears an ugly slash from shoulder to hip. The thin rivulets of blood that run from the gash are composed of small red beads, a detail that evokes both Belmore’s Anishinabe heritage and the trauma inflicted on indigenous peoples. Despite the graveness of the woman’s injury, Belmore’s Fringe is also about healing. The wound is not fatal; she has the strength to recover. But the scar will never disappear.

I had the honor to meet Elijah Harper (Ojibwe/Cree) in the...

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:22:00 -0400

I had the honor to meet Elijah Harper (Ojibwe/Cree) in the summer of 2008 while I was attending the National Screen Institute New Voices program. He was the speaker at our grad.

I have met a lot of famous people in my day (famous famous, not just Native famous) and am generally not phased by them. But on this day, I met one of my Indigenous Heroes. And I was excited.

For those who do not know the history of Mr. Harper, here are just a fraction of things he has done

Residential School Survivor

Chief of the Red Sucker Lake Band

First Treaty Indian in Manitoba to become a provincial politician

And this:

In 1990, Harper achieved national fame by holding an eagle feather as he took his stand in the Manitoba legislature and refused to accept the Meech Lake Accord, a constitutional amendment package negotiated to gain Quebec’s acceptance of the Constitution Act, 1982.

The proposed Accord was negotiated in 1987 without the input of Canada’s First Nations.

Meech Lake failed to pass in both Manitoba and Newfoundland, the constitution was not amended.

Elijah Harper is also known for bringing Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples together from across Canada to find a spiritual basis for healing and understanding.

I recommend watching the film based on Harper’s life called ‘Elijah’ (produced by my wonderful teacher at NSI, Lisa Meeches). It gives you more of a picture of what this man is about.

Rest In Peace. This memory will stay with me forever.

Photo copyright: Aaron Pierre

Michelle Thrush in Denise Brillon design on Cannes red carpet

Sun, 19 May 2013 19:16:00 -0400

Michelle Thrush in Denise Brillon design on Cannes red carpet

Native American actress proud to walk Cannes red carpet| Reuters

Sun, 19 May 2013 19:03:00 -0400

Native American actress proud to walk Cannes red carpet| Reuters:

CANNES (Reuters) - Native American actress Misty Upham never dreamt she would be walking the red carpet at Cannes to showcase a film shot on her reservation.Upham features in Jimmy P. Psychotherapy of

Misty Upham red carpet at Cannes

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:56:00 -0400

Misty Upham red carpet at Cannes

Michelle Thrush and Benicio Jimmy P. red carpet, Cannes

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:52:31 -0400

Michelle Thrush and Benicio Jimmy P. red carpet, Cannes

Photo call Jimmy P. cast at Cannes

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:46:18 -0400

Photo call Jimmy P. cast at Cannes

Michelle Thrush and Benicio Cannes red carpet for Jimmy P.

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:43:45 -0400

Michelle Thrush and Benicio Cannes red carpet for Jimmy P.

Michelle Thrush and Misty Upham at Cannes 2013 (Oh and Benicio...

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:40:16 -0400

Michelle Thrush and Misty Upham at Cannes 2013 (Oh and Benicio is in the background)

One of our Heroes died today. RIP Elijah Harper You changed our...

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:08:00 -0400

One of our Heroes died today. RIP Elijah Harper

You changed our power in this country forever. Mussi Cho. Walk softly

Marisa Quinn (Lipan Apache and Mexican) Wait, what she was in...

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:09:00 -0400

Marisa Quinn (Lipan Apache and Mexican)

Wait, what she was in Twilight?? At least they cast a real NDN in it.. haha (She played Hulein which was, if you saw it Part 2 Breaking Dawn, the hybrid Vampire/human that came to save the day)

Matoaka was the beautiful and lively daughter of Powhatan, ruler...

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:48:29 -0400

Matoaka was the beautiful and lively daughter of Powhatan, ruler of the land that the English named Virginia. “Pocahontas” was her childhood nickname, translated as “little wanton,” meaning she was playful and hard to control

More here: http://nativeamericanencyclopedia.com/the-real-pocahontas/

Angeline Jolie: My Medical Choice

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:31:17 -0400

Angeline Jolie: My Medical Choice:

While I think this is an incredibly brave move for Jolie, I think it should also be known that these tests for the cancer gene are incredibly expensive, as is the operation and the implants. She has always been one of my favs (She is of Iroquois blood) and I am glad she made a decision that will give her a better chance at prolonging her life.

Santee Smith (Mohawk) founding Artistic Director/Choreographer...

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:14:21 -0400

Santee Smith (Mohawk) founding Artistic Director/Choreographer for Kaha:wi Dance Theatre

Photo by David Hou

Let all take a moment to appreciate the beauty of Eric Schweig

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:04:00 -0400

Let all take a moment to appreciate the beauty of Eric Schweig

Native Actors who could have played Tonto by Marty Two Bulls

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:34:52 -0400

Native Actors who could have played Tonto

by Marty Two Bulls