Jennifer Vivian (mfa interdisciplinary studies, Concordia university and ma creative art therapy, Concordia university) is an Inuk art therapist who also has European ancestry. She lives and works in Unama'ki (cape breton, nova scotia) the unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq people. Jen is an ally to the Mi'kmaq and a visitor on their land. Having graduated with her ma in 2013, Jen has focused on decolonizing and indigenizing her work and her life while exploring her identity as Inuit and how that informs her creative and artistic practice. Jens published works explore these subjects. Jen has taught indigenized art therapy courses and is particularly interested in helping indigenize art therapy research to honor traditional indigenous knowledge. Jen uses an interdisciplinary and ceremonial approach to creating her artwork. She is excited to collaborate with other indigenous artists in an immersive experience. Jen has been involved in helping to create the circle of indigenous art therapists at Canadian art therapy association and is currently a collaborator with life as medicine: Circle of Indigenous Healing Arts.

When creating a work, I tend to take inspiration from growing up in the colorful province of Newfoundland, along with the interest I have in my Mi'kmaq culture being a part of the Qalipu First Nations. Over the past several years, my work has focused on large-scale murals and public artworks, which can be seen throughout the province, and other parts of Canada. More recently, I've ventured into working with text on issues within the workforce, financial awareness and the struggles of having multicultural identities

Jolene Robichaud is an Acadienne and Mi’kmaw (family is from L’nu Minigog) multidisciplinary artist originally from Richibucto, NB. She is mostly self taught in her crafts, but uses skills that her families have been using for generations. Nowadays, she works mostly in the textile and beadwork realms, but occasionally does digital design, event coordination and production, among other things. She has been known to upcycle and use natural materials over the years and takes pride in being sustainable whenever possible. Her work usually revolves around hope and positivity, both within the frames of peculiarity and practicality. She’s launched 4 of her own fashion lines, 3 of which she coordinated fashion shows for and modeled her show stoppers. More recently, she explored her first art collection inspired by her struggles with endometriosis and was featured at an indie exhibition called Across from Deluxe. Another one of her paintings was displayed at the Société Culturelle Kent-Sud. Other pieces have been shown twice at Galérie Sans Nom, as part of their annual fundraiser.

Nancy E. Oakley is a Mi’kmaq/Wampanoag artist She was raised in Mashpee Massachusetts and is now living and working on the Eskasoni First Nation reserve in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.. She is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she studied Photography and pottery. After graduating She then moved to Nova Scotia and studied for a year at Nova Scotia School of Art and Design, taking courses in Photography, ceramics, weaving and jewelry making, before leaving to start her family. She is now a mother of 6 and grandmother of 4. Through softly curved pottery forms created by hand and on the wheel, Nancy creates culturally significant pieces that imbue her spiritual and traditional knowledge and honor her role as a mother. Her process is a collaboration with the land. Clay harvested from mother earth and shaped by hand. Pieces are stone polished and smoke fired outdoors with fir tips, seaweed and sawdust, imprinting beautiful smokey finishes. Her pots are then adorned with traditional Mi’kmaq embellishments such as black ash basketry, beadwork, carved and or painted hieroglyphics and braided sweetgrass Nancy’s work can be seen at stores across Nova Scotia and Massachusetts, and has had her work shown in several galleries across Canada.

Yvette’s artistic journey has been a long and informal one. Originally from Timiskaming First Nation, she moved to PEI, in 1979, married and raised her family before starting her work at Mi’kmaq Printing and Design. She began learning to press and print vinyl onto apparel and eventually moved into the role of mentoring and onboarding others to learn this skill at MPD. During her time at MPD she met and worked with artists from across the Island and is now a Member Engagement Officer at Indigenous PEI. She finds inspiration through her work with other artists and is only just coming to see herself as not only playing a supporting role within this community, but also one of its members. Although it can be a struggle for her to define herself as an artist, she is an accomplished practitioner in several different textile media, including knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She really found her artistic home, however, in quilting: “quilts talk to me as I feel everyone should have a blanket to wrap themselves in, not only for warmth of body but warmth of heart.”

Robin Sappier is a Mi'kmaq/Maliseet woman from Woodstock First Nation. She is a Ribbon Skirt Artist as well as a Painter, and Beader. She is a Disabled Veteran that served in the United States Marine Corps during 911 and although it was the best experience of her life, she now lives with Complex PTSD. This is where her healing journey began, this is where she first discovered her artistic abilities and began working through her Military Trauma. She began doing art therapy with Veteran affairs, and continued exploring different mediums such as visual art painting, and drawing classes while attending College and University. When she started to struggle with her mobility in 2016, she found herself in a deep depression and was unable to work any longer. This led her back to the community in 2019, where she decided to focus on her Indigenous roots. She had learned to sew in Grade 8, and really enjoyed sewing. Making customized ribbon skirts began when she was asked to make one for a youth in her community. That was the moment she realized she wanted to make Ribbon Skirts. She went from seeing black and white to living in color. It made her feel things she hadn't felt in a long time. With each piece she created, she became more inspired. The more she made, the more creative she became. She realized her purpose in life is to help our people. Through art she hopes to reconnect our people to culture. “I now know who I was meant to be. I am Robin Sappier, Ribbon skirt teacher, proud US Marine Warrior from Woodstock First Nation.”

Carr Sappier (Wolastoqew) is a two-spirited multi-genre filmmaker from Neqotkuk, Tobique First Nation. Carr’s passion for filmmaking stems from an aspiration to decolonize the screen, and to offer an alternative and non-binary perspective of Wolastoqew storytelling. Blending and morphing different genre styles and film mediums provides Carr with methods to express their two-spirited and Wolastoqew identity. Currently Carr is remotely co-instructing the Skoden Indigenous Film Festival course offered at Simon Fraser University. Carr co-founded and co-directed the festival in their final year of study at SFU. Moreover, Carr is sharing their time with like-minded individuals in their community to encourage Neqotkuk to create space and support for the Two-Spirit/LGBTQ+ youth. Past documentaries include Sahki-Pitiyahte (Bright Light Comes Forth From It, CBC), mixed-genre MAW, KTAPACI WETAPEKSIYIN (Maw, I Am Home, National Arts Centre) and documentary My Song Is My Name (CBC). In production currently is a series of short documentaries about Indigenous mental wellness in New Brunswick with Raynemaker Productions, as well as a short documentary on the MMIWG2S+. Carr is also the “on-call” filmmaker in their community to assist with language and culture projects, examples include, shorts on the Shubienacadie Indian Residential School Survivors, elder and youth language revitalization skits, and mentoring Neqotkuk youth through camera and editing workshops.

Adrienne Assinewai is a visual artist born and raised on Manitoulin Island in beautiful Northern Ontario, she grew up surrounded by her traditional culture and nature and was driven to express and share these treasures with others from a young age. Now based along the charming coastline of Little Shemogue, New Brunswick, Adrienne continues to be inspired by the natural world and creates from her private home studio. Never one to shy away from experimenting with multiple mediums, her preferred creative style is constantly evolving. As one who always has several projects on the go, you will often find her work ranging from sculptural to realistic nature paintings to traditional Woodland Style pieces. Her work can be found in several galleries and shops nationally and within the surrounding area throughout the year. “Creating art is such a huge part of me that to not do it would be like not speaking or moving through this world in a meaningful way. While others often try to find a set style or subject matter that they’re comfortable with, I’ve enjoyed jumping around with my pieces and allowing my creativity to come out in whatever form it chooses. I find that this wider scope has allowed me to better share my messages with my audience. Having the ability to share my thoughts and ideas visually is an integral part of who I am and not only brings me joy, but a deeper sense of purpose.” ~ Adrienne Assinewai

Gearl is an indigenous hip hop artist based out of Eskasoni, NS. Gearl’s mission is to share his personal experiences of the indigenous lifestyle in the Maritimes as well as spread appreciation and knowledge of the Mi'kmaq language and culture. He has been a member of Hip Hop groups such as multi award winners City Natives and ECMA nominees K.U.$.H. He has toured extensively across Canada and the United States. He has appeared on 5 full length albums with City Natives (4 Kingz, Red City, Voltron, Nomadic, and Dream Catchers) and 1 with K.U.$.H (Smoke Signals). He has also been featured on albums such as Fire Keepers (8th Fire) and David Strickland (Spirit Of Hip Hop). He has collaborated with many talented artists such as Joey Stylez, Blake Francis, Devon Paul, T.Geronimo, Miracle, KID, Classified, HellnBack, Sweet Cambodia, Nokes and Maisyn. In 2020 Gearl links with engineer/producer Sean Nookie Lewis starting his journey as a solo artist with his first studio album release (Reziduals). Followed by his sophomore album (From The Ground Up) released in the fall of 2021. His aim is to make music that motivates people to stand up for themselves. In March of 2022 Gearl united with Shift From Tha 902 in a collaboration EP titled (Evergreens EP). On the 30th of April 2023 Gearl drops another gem with Sean Nookie Lewis. This time switching genres and bringing along drummers Ayvery Norman and Austin Sylliboy releasing a Rock EP titled (Long uncomfortable Pauses EP).

Born and raised in the small hamlet of Little Port, Elmastukwek (Bay of Islands), Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland), Nicole Travers is a Mi’kmaw artist, mother, and steward of the land and water. A self-taught artist whose creativity was sparked by old style beadwork found in museums, Nicole has been dedicated to learning traditional Mi’kmaw styles of bead work since 2015. After years of cultivating a deep connection with her Indigenous roots, the influence of the traditional Mi’kmaq double curve, petroglyphs, hieroglyphs and quillwork is apparent in her work as she marries historical styles of bead work with modern day techniques into contemporary form. Nicole has begun to tan various animal pelts and skins into leather using traditional teachings and now utilizes home tanned fish skin in her art, creating sought after unique pieces. Nicole has been sharing her skills through workshops and one-on-one teaching sessions for several years and her small business, Blomidon Beadwork, has earned her recognition in the fine arts community. In 2020 she was awarded the Ulnooweg Cottage Crafters Award, as well as a residency in Cross Currents Artist in Residence at Fogo Island Arts, Summer 2021. Nicole’s work was featured on the cover of the Riddle Fence Spring 2021 issue. “Because we are always evolving as who we are as individuals, learning, experiencing, and growing; my artwork is a representation of who I am at this specific point in time, including my knowledge of traditions and culture.”

Eva Nicholas is a Wabanaki L'nu Mi'kmaq artist from We'koqmaq First Nation, Oonamaki, Nova Scotia. Born in 1976, Eva has been passionate about her culture from a young age. Her love for nature and her culture is evident in everything she creates. Eva prefers to use her Alias name Eva Apukjij Keewesoo to honor her clan and nation as it represents her true identity and a step towards decolonization. Eva's portfolio in traditional arts is diverse, reflecting her dedication to preserving and sharing her culture. She is an expert in porcupine quillwork, beadwork, basket weaving, leatherwork, and painting. She is also a skilled drum maker, creating beautiful drums from all local resources. In recent years, Eva has expanded her knowledge and skills, learning how to process rawhide and tan leather from Respected Mi'kmaq Elders Joe Googoo, Judy Bernard Googoo and Ernest Johnson. This has opened up new possibilities for her as an artist, allowing her to create a range of new works, including drum bags, rattles, medicine pouches, and leather attire. Eva's has won awards , most recently a recipient of Pow Wow Pitch Competition 2022 in the Creative category which won a commission of $15,000.00 with an Indigenous Tourism of her choice. Her artwork has been on APTN "Spirit Talker" , In Commercials for Destination Cape Breton , Cultural Education Videos for Cultural Debert Cultural Center, CTV and local newspapers. Eva's interest including visiting museums and archives to research and deep dive into her ancestor's creations such as the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History and Museum of Natural History in Ottawa. Her goal is to be as original and authentic in her creations as her ancestors. She recently help organize an Indigenous Artists Symposium in her community of We'koqmaq to help bring education and supports to her and fellow indigenous artists. She is working to create a local artists collective that will benefit artists and boost economic and tourism opportunities in her region. She has also taught workshops in porcupine quilling and creating drums and led traditional workshops on medicine walks and harvesting. Eva's ultimate goal as an artist is to honor her people and ancestors by sharing her knowledge and stories in the most meaningful ways. She dreams of seeing all her people heal, rise, and shine as they are meant to be as Wabanaki People (Children of the Sun).

My name is Gordon Sparks, my clan mother is the beaver, clan spirit animal the bear, born from the Turtle River, and the salmon is our clan dotem, raised in Pabineau First Nation, now living in Rough Waters N.B. Canada. The traditional hand-carved wooden mask has taken me on a vision path that is guiding my mind, body, and spirit to seek knowledge and wisdom of the Mi'kmaq people’s stories, traditional ceremonies, traditional food, and medicine. Each mask that I make is from my life story, and the people of Mi’kma’ki. Each mask has a personal story on how I was guided to find the tree, take its life, carve the spirit out of the wood for all to see, and listen to what it has to say to ears that need to hear it. The vision I have been given guides my passion, and desire to record the past and present, with three dimensional form. I strongly believe in the traditional hand-carved wooden mask, traditional ceremony and storytelling. Each mask speaks to me, guides me, the tree that is chosen speaks to me to carve the spirit of our ancestors and the stories of our life givers and life protectors that live here in Mi’kma’ki, to be shown to all people of the land. In the end the spirits of the trees will speak of my people of today and my ancestors of the past, through the wooden mask, storytelling, and the language of the land. My work as a Mi’kmaw artist represents tradition for the Mi'kmaq people, to guarantee the preservation of traditional values, new and old ceremonies, oral storytelling, and the gathering of people to share in life stories together.

Ni'n teluisi Ashley Sanipass. I am a proud Mi'kmaq woman from Indian Island, New Brunswick. As a child I was introduced to different forms of Mi'kmaq cultural art; Basket Weaving, Porcupine Quill Art and Beading. Thankfully, my grandmother and my Aunties passed these skills onto me. I am a graduate from Cape Breton University and it was during my time as a student that I really dove into researching different forms of art in these categories. I went through many years of practicing these skills and selling art in these fields before I started teaching it. Teaching these skills has given me much joy and pride. It is a passion to help others express themselves through creativity and culture. I first began teaching these skills to Elementary school students in Cape Breton. I moved onto teaching at High Schools, Heritage Parks, Universities, First Nation Organizations, and Correctional Facilities. I turned my passion & my skills into a business that helps support my growing family. Special shoutout to my career level up thanks to a program offered through the Joint Economic development Initiative of New Brunswick. My business is called Mi'kmaq Art Experience. I offer a variety of 'Do it yourself kits' that teach Mi'kmaq art and language. Each kit comes with either directions, or an online video that will guide you through the steps of creating a piece. I will be posting these kits in the 'Do it yourself kits' part of my website. I will also be posting craft supplies for those who wish to continue their skills in beading, basket making, or quill work. I also provide workshops and demonstrations. I hope you enjoy your Mi'kmaq Art Experience created by Ashley Sanipass. Wela'lin: thank you to my teachers Evangeline Sanipass (Grandmother), Audrey Sanipass (Aunt), Vicky Sanipass (Aunt).

I'm Karen Wolfrey, I am from Happy Valley in Goose Bay, Labrador. My creative journey began in my early 20s, with a pair of knitting needles. I started out making sweaters, socks and mittens. Over the years, I've honed my craft, specializing in a wide range of handmade treasures made from seal skins and other furs. From jackets, mittens, slippers, pictures, earrings & ornaments my creations are a tribute to the timeless art of handcrafting. You can explore my collection on my Facebook page, named "KW Handcrafted."

Angela Beek is a Maliseet multimedia artist from Sitansisk First Nation in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and a graduate of NBCCD’s aboriginal visual arts program and textile program. Over the years she has taught a variety of traditional Maliseet art to groups ranging from children to elders. Her work can be found in the permanent collection of the NB Arts bank. “I feel most joyous when enveloped in nature, it’s good for the soul. Much of my work is inspired by traditional Maliseet art and the use of natural materials to create 3D pieces. I have always been intrigued by the human form and how emotions can be conveyed through gestures. So much can be conveyed by just a subtle bend of one's arm or lowering of the head. My emotions are an important part of my creative process, and I enjoy capturing and sharing these emotions in a visual way. My pieces speak to the idea that as humans, we often see ourselves as separate from nature but, we aren't separate at all, we are one with it, no hierarchy.”

Ms. Chappell is a Mi’kmaq artisan who has over 40 years of experience in creating and fashioning garments and art pieces that beautifully blend our traditional styles with stylish modern fashion. From a strong Mi’kmaq motif on the collar of a suit, to a full traditional peaked hat, her work can be seen on prominent Mi’kmaq leaders, Elders, and community members alike. She is currently working on revitalizing Mi’kmaq symbols and petroglyphs in her fashion garments and art pieces, as a way of bringing back these wonderful symbols from our past into the present and hopefully into the future, as well. She is known for sharing her knowledge of crafting and sewing with the youth and Elders, dedicating many hours to inspiring them to create their own beautiful traditional art. What she does with needle and thread is not just sewing, it is art. Art that needs to be encouraged, respected, and passed down to the next generation.