My work reflects my experience as an indigenous, neurodivergent, bisexual woman in a colonial, capitalistic, and heteronormative world. Raised Nisga'a and trained contemporary, my work walks on a borderline between the two. What I create reflects my lived experience, the resilience of my heritage and the forced adoption of Western methodologies. I work in multiple mediums, both historic and contemporary, from intaglio to screen printing, pastels to digital drawings, and traditional wood carving to mixed-media sculpture. I create to openly and uncomfortably explore my mental health and trauma, so I may make a space comfortable enough for others to do the same. Express my rage and dissatisfaction with our country's lack of accountability regarding colonial violence to validate others'. We put Canada on a pedestal for being a cultural mosaic, but this analogy isn't accurate for the positive idea presented. It's not for the acceptance and pride of each unique culture embedded in this country, but for the process of creating a mosaic; cultures shattered through assimilation into partial fragments that fit into the puzzle-pieced idea of western culture, built for and by straight, cis, European men. I want to reclaim the stolen pieces that are my birthright and utilize the parts of western culture shoved onto my people to create a mosaic that authentically represents my experience.
Being myself out loud on a continent dedicated to making me do the opposite is radical. Expressing my perspective is representation; For indigenous women, LGTBTQ+, and those navigating their mental health. I want to paint it all on my sleeves.