Shainahl way’, ksim Laxgibuu niiy’. Ksim Nisga’a; ii Wilps Simoogit Duuk wil’witgwiy’.

Shaina is my name, I am of the wolf tribe. I am a woman of the Nisga’a; and I hail from the house of Chief Duuk.

I am an artist and fashion designer from Laxgalts’ap, B.C., working across a wide range of mediums including couture, screen printing, intaglio, sculpture, painting, digital art, and various drawing materials. My creative practice is grounded in storytelling, futurism, and Indigiqueer chronopolitics.

In November 2024, I earned my Master of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University of Art + Design, supported by the BC Arts Foundation, BC Hydro, and Indspire. My thesis, The Musings and Makings of an Indigiqueer Time Meddler, explores the intersections of identity, time, and transformation through a lens of Indigenous futurism.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts from Vancouver Island University, where I was supported by Indspire, the Parksville Lioness Club, and the Isaac Tait Award. During my time there, I was named to the Dean’s Honour List in both Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences.

Recent achievements include the creation of the Hummingbird Descendant dress during the 2024 Indigenous Haute Couture: Digital Embellishments residency at the Banff Centre. I was also awarded two Emerging Artist scholarships from the YVR Art Foundation. These supported works such as REDress, Regrow (Do Not Pluck Me), exhibited at YVR International Airport (2022) and the Museum of Vancouver (2023),

and 70s Gigi and 90s Momma, displayed at YVR International Airport (2024) before its upcoming exhibition at the Yukon Arts Centre in November 2025.

Beyond personal practice, I have worked in Museums and Art Galleries since 2014 as an interpreter and assistant (Nisga’a Museum and the View Gallery), workshop facilitator (the Museum of Vancouver), advisor (the Museum of Anthropology), and co-curator of temporary exhibitions (Nisga’a Museum and the View Gallery) and most recently, of a permanent exhibition at Übersee Museum in Bremen, Germany.

This is my work:

Fruity and Flowery™️. oil on canvas, 2021

Trying/I am Melancolia II-After Dürer. Digital 2020

Sierra II. Soft pastel and ink on poster 2020. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Mnookmi II. Soft pastel, ink, wax on paper 2020. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

I am Melancholia (after Dürer) — I am Melancolia (After Dürer). Intaglio edition 2020. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Most Full of Stone — Mouth Full of Stone. Multilayer screen print 2019. Image by Alanna-Rose photography

Freedom in th Realms of Eccentricity — Freedom in the Realms of Eccentricity. Multilayer screen print 2019. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Lady Sunset. Multilayer screen print 2019. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Where’s my Mind?. Soft pastel and conte on paper 2018. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Where Does it Hurt? Soft pastel on paper 2018. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Concord Floral. Soft pastel and ink on paper 2018. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Warmth. Oil stick on paper 2018. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Simon vs the Homosapien Agenda. Ink and soft pastel on paper 2018. Image by Alanna-Morton Photography

A Brown Nymph Makes Sense. Soft pastel on paper 2018. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Concussion. Linocut 2018. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

I am Stardust/Changes 2018. Intaglio on rice paper. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

This is not a Body — This is Not a Body. Oil on canvas 2018

Therapy- Khalid. Oil pastel on paper 2018. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Magenta. Oil pastel on paper 2018. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Kelli. Oil pastel on paper 2018. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Rose. Oil pastel on paper 2018. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Hummingbirds. Metal sculpture 2018. Image by Grace Pedde

1st Year. Ink and charcoal on paper 2017. Image by Alanna-Rose Photography

Above the Gravel Pit — Above The Gravel Pit- Emily Carr. Acrylic on Canvas 2016

Lady with Labret. Wood carving 2015 Nisga’a Museum

Shainahl way’, ksim Laxgibuu niiy’. Ksim Nisga’a; ii Wilps Simoogit Duuk wil’witgwiy’.

Shaina Richelle