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An Anishnaabe Kwe Elder and member of the Saugeen First Nation, Lorraine Besito is originally from the Wasauksing First Nation, where she learned quillwork as a girl from her mother.
Lorraine was taught to use all-natural materials that she would gather at certain times of the year when they were known to be at their best – quills, birchbark and often sweetgrass. She would pick these materials according to the traditional teachings passed on to her. Recognized as a skilled quillwork artisan, Lorraine’s work has been displayed in galleries in North America and different parts of the world |
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Honoured to prepare two pieces of art for the Reconciliation display, Rowan Stephenson hopes that the Canadian government and citizens will do the work necessary for healing and to become an inclusive nation.
Rowan’s contributions to the hall are illustrations of: Left: The Saugeen Ojibway Nation Traditional Territory (SONTT) which includes the Saugeen Peninsula (a.k.a. Bruce Peninsula), the waters and islands of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay surrounding the Peninsula and extending south and east to include the Maitland and Nottawasaga Rivers, respectively. And, Right, a map showing the great distances from home that children from Saugeen First Nation were taken within the 165 year history of Canada’s residential school system, to Spanish River Boys and Girls Schools and Mohawk Institute. (Three day schools were also operated on Saugeen First Nation Territory). |
Emily Kewageshig is a talented Anishinaabe artist from Saugeen First Nation No. 29 who captures the interconnection of life forms using acrylic paint, sometimes also working with oil paint, water colour paint and other culturally significant materials gathered from the land. Her work consists of bold lines, bright colours, and symbolism which is inspired by traditional Ojibwe Woodland artists and Indigenous world view.
She graduated from Sheridan College’s Visual and Creative Arts Diploma program with Honours in 2017, receiving the “Best in Show” award at the final graduate exhibition. Having graduated from OCAD University, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Indigenous Visual Culture program, Emily has opened a studio in Southampton.
A graduate of SDSS and a Downie Wenjack Artist Ambassador, Emily facilitated the collaborative art piece – that all SDSS students contributed to in 2019 and that is at the centre of the Reconciliation Table – the centrepiece of the space. This design was created to honour Treaties Recognition Week at Saugeen District Senior School.
Rachel Shave facilitated the artwork at the centre of the Reconciliation Table. Experimenting with various styles of painting, illustration, and mixed media, the inclusion or subject of nature often unites her pieces.
She graduated from Sheridan College’s Visual and Creative Arts Diploma program with Honours in 2017, receiving the “Best in Show” award at the final graduate exhibition. Having graduated from OCAD University, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Indigenous Visual Culture program, Emily has opened a studio in Southampton.
A graduate of SDSS and a Downie Wenjack Artist Ambassador, Emily facilitated the collaborative art piece – that all SDSS students contributed to in 2019 and that is at the centre of the Reconciliation Table – the centrepiece of the space. This design was created to honour Treaties Recognition Week at Saugeen District Senior School.
Rachel Shave facilitated the artwork at the centre of the Reconciliation Table. Experimenting with various styles of painting, illustration, and mixed media, the inclusion or subject of nature often unites her pieces.
A mother, a beader, a social worker, a 60s Scoop survivor and a member of the Saugeen Ojibwe Nation and Turtle Clan, Marsha Reany's life has been marked with struggle but also triumph and healing.
Taken from her mother at birth as part of the Sixties Scoop, Marsha was immediately disconnected from her culture and heritage to be raised in a non-Indigenous family. She felt lost between two worlds and two cultures her whole life until, at the age of 45, she was reunited with her roots and her culture and ceremony, allowing her to move forward in her journey.
Working hard to help others through all of roles as an adult student, an Educational Assistant and a Youth and Transition Worker, Marsha is an inspiration to all to see that it is never too late to accomplish your goals.
Finally, when she was almost 60 years old, Marsha found her passion for beading and is an accomplished artisan. Though she is self-taught, it came so naturally to her that it was evident that it was simply built into her DNA. She has discovered that her birth aunt is also a renowned beader.
Above all else, Marsha will tell you that “beading is healing”. Model: Mercedes Roote
Taken from her mother at birth as part of the Sixties Scoop, Marsha was immediately disconnected from her culture and heritage to be raised in a non-Indigenous family. She felt lost between two worlds and two cultures her whole life until, at the age of 45, she was reunited with her roots and her culture and ceremony, allowing her to move forward in her journey.
Working hard to help others through all of roles as an adult student, an Educational Assistant and a Youth and Transition Worker, Marsha is an inspiration to all to see that it is never too late to accomplish your goals.
Finally, when she was almost 60 years old, Marsha found her passion for beading and is an accomplished artisan. Though she is self-taught, it came so naturally to her that it was evident that it was simply built into her DNA. She has discovered that her birth aunt is also a renowned beader.
Above all else, Marsha will tell you that “beading is healing”. Model: Mercedes Roote
An artist from Saugeen First Nation #29, Keyanna Kimewon's biggest influences are her grandmother and mother. Keyanna was mesmerized by her grandmother's sewing of sweet grass turtles and birch bark canoes.
Keyanna has been beading since 2011, finding it very relaxing and a great way to connect with her mother and culture. She loves to look at early beadwork and different floral designs from tribes other than her own, finding that understanding how early beadwork with quills, shells, and bones developed into what it is today is really fascinating.
Keyanna’s stunning red dress represents missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls lost to violent crime and as a call for action to prevent future violence. The REDress project originated with Métis artist Jaime Black in 2010 who displayed over one hundred red dresses as an exhibit around the University of Winnipeg campus to raise awareness.
Keyanna has been beading since 2011, finding it very relaxing and a great way to connect with her mother and culture. She loves to look at early beadwork and different floral designs from tribes other than her own, finding that understanding how early beadwork with quills, shells, and bones developed into what it is today is really fascinating.
Keyanna’s stunning red dress represents missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls lost to violent crime and as a call for action to prevent future violence. The REDress project originated with Métis artist Jaime Black in 2010 who displayed over one hundred red dresses as an exhibit around the University of Winnipeg campus to raise awareness.
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Taylor Cameron is an emerging woodland artist from Saugeen First Nation No. 29. His paintings highlight the beauty of the natural world around us using vivid colour schemes that introduce a different perspective on animals, landscapes, and teachings. Taylor's use of both movement and line work create balanced compositions that showcase the subject matter that is displayed.
Taylor’s illustrations of creatures that represent the Seven Grandfather Teachings – guiding principles for living a good life - are a stunning addition to the Reconciliation Hall. Students identified as representing these teachings - of love, respect, bravery, truth, honesty, humility and wisdom - will receive a certificate with Taylor’s artwork at the awards assembly in June.
Respect is represented by the buffalo who, in giving every part of his being
to sustain the human way of living, respects the balance and needs of others.
Taylor’s illustrations of creatures that represent the Seven Grandfather Teachings – guiding principles for living a good life - are a stunning addition to the Reconciliation Hall. Students identified as representing these teachings - of love, respect, bravery, truth, honesty, humility and wisdom - will receive a certificate with Taylor’s artwork at the awards assembly in June.
Respect is represented by the buffalo who, in giving every part of his being
to sustain the human way of living, respects the balance and needs of others.
Dr. Duke Redbird is an Elder, poet, activist, educator, and artist.
A trailblazer throughout the 60's & 70's, he gave voice to Indigenous people at major institutions and folk festivals across the country. From 1994-2009, he was an arts & entertainment reporter for CITY TV in Toronto. Dr. Redbird is also featured on ‘Native North America’ which received a Grammy Award nomination for best historical album in December 2015. Duke recently recorded his poem "The Power of the Land with The Sultans of String" – which concluded the virtual assembly.
In 2020, Duke was awarded a Life Time Achievement Award by the Toronto based performing arts organization JAYU in recognition of his influence through his art on Human Rights. He occupies the position as Elder with many organizations across the country, and delivered a keynote address to MIT on the growing influence if Indigenous Thinking and Practices on the world of technology and higher learning.
A trailblazer throughout the 60's & 70's, he gave voice to Indigenous people at major institutions and folk festivals across the country. From 1994-2009, he was an arts & entertainment reporter for CITY TV in Toronto. Dr. Redbird is also featured on ‘Native North America’ which received a Grammy Award nomination for best historical album in December 2015. Duke recently recorded his poem "The Power of the Land with The Sultans of String" – which concluded the virtual assembly.
In 2020, Duke was awarded a Life Time Achievement Award by the Toronto based performing arts organization JAYU in recognition of his influence through his art on Human Rights. He occupies the position as Elder with many organizations across the country, and delivered a keynote address to MIT on the growing influence if Indigenous Thinking and Practices on the world of technology and higher learning.
