Celebrate Local Indigenous Artists
Ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we are putting a Scarborough Spotlight on some talented Indigenous artists, makers, and artist collectives that we encourage you to check out. Follow them on social media, check out their shops, and show them some love!
Scarborough Arts will be closed on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, read our reasons why we will be observing this holiday here. Learn more about Indigenous-led community groups and initiatives to support in Toronto.
Fallon Simard, Prayers For Dreamy Boys, 2019. Mp4 Video (Director, Producer, Artist).
Fallon Simard is an Anishinaabe-Metis artist, educator and policy writer from Couchiching First Nation in Grand Council Treaty #3 Territory. He is an interdisciplinary artist, research fellow at the Yellowhead Institute, policy analyst at the Chiefs of Ontario, and Owner of Contrary Company, where art meets wear.
Caterina is an Anishinaabe-Filipina artist also known by her spirit name, Memengwaa Kwe. Currently based in T'karonto, much of her art explores reconnection to ancestry and community through beadwork, and creative expression through fluid art paintings. Her online art business, Memengwaa Kwe Originals, features both her paintings and beadwork alongside each other.
Mo Thunder.
Mo Thunder (They/Them/Theirs) is Onkwehonwe [Onyota’a:ka with family ties to Oneida Nation of the Thames x Aamjiwnaang First Nation] and French-Canadian. They’re a non-binary, neuroemergent artist x visual storyteller from a small town along the St. Clair River and are currently based on One Dish One Spoon Territory x Tkaronto (Toronto), which is a Kanyen'kéha: (Mohawk) word for ‘where there are trees standing in the water’. Through their multidisciplinary art practice (painting, collaging, beading, journaling, poetry and textiles), they aim to express stories about their lived experiences with their mind, heart, spirit and body. Mo is inspired by intergenerational connections, ancestors, kin, community, healing and growth, all of creation, sky world and personal/collective empowerment.
Jennifer LaFontaine
Jennifer LaFontaine has extensive experience facilitating creative arts programs with community groups. Beginning in 1998, Jennifer created a community media program at a Toronto-based non-profit organization. For ten years, she taught black and white photography and digital storytelling in a women’s program, where women could share about their communities, highlight important social issues, and celebrate their strengths. The peer leadership programs Jennifer designed and facilitated enabled women to come together across diverse language and cultural differences.
We are excited to be collaborating with Jennifer and the Community Storytelling Strategies team to put on our Digital Storytelling Series this fall.
Cedar-Eve Peters is a Toronto born artist, artisan, and educator who is Anishinaabe (Ojibway) from Manitoulin Island and the Saugeen First Nation. She is also a self-taught beadworker.
Sage Paul, Monument, 2017.
Sage Paul is a Toronto based urban Denesuliné tskwe and a member of English River First Nation. She is an award-winning artist and designer and a recognized leader of Indigenous fashion, craft and textiles. Her work centres family, sovereignty and resistance for balance. Sage is also founding collective member and Artistic Director of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto.
Natalie King, Forever Kind of Kinship, acrylic and ink on canvas (2021).
Natalie King is a queer interdisciplinary Anishinaabe (Algonquin) artist. Her current artistic practice ranges from video, painting, sculpture, installation, as well as community engagement. Often involving portrayals of queer femmes and queer Anishinaabeg futurities, her works are about embracing the ambiguity and multiplicities of identity within the Indigenous queer femme experience
Miigizi, Petitioning to The Little People for Medicines.
Nyle Miigizi Johnston grew up in Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. He is an Oshkaabewis (Traditional Helper) who worked with Anishnawbe Health Toronto, and has worked in partnership with TakingITGlobal and Connected North on collaborative projects to support communities with Indigenous language revitalization resources and interactive learning experiences.
Shawna Howe, Nokomis, 2020.
Shawna Howe (They/Them/Theirs) is Anishinaabe, Irish, Scottish and French. They are a Non-Binary, queer, neurodivergent, disabled person living in Tkaronto. They come from Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation, with membership in Sipekne’katik First Nation. They are a self-taught painter, emerging visual storyteller, muralist and poet. They also work as a co-facilitator for Our Stories our Truths (OSOT) which is a community based, land, art and creative expression program for Indigenous youth.