Women's Room

The Polygon Award in First Nations Art (FNA) program recognizes BC First Nations artists for artistic excellence in traditional, contemporary or media art. The Award is designed for artists from BC First Nations who have demonstrated a commitment to their art practice; have accumulated a body of work; and who are recognized in their communities as artists.

Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist

“As a Female First Nations artist, I create artwork that expresses my individual story and shares my ancestors' stories. Every piece I create, I look at it as opportunities to learn and fully understand the complexities of my culture's visual language. My teachers have shared the foundations of the traditional art form, now I can continue the journey to share my voice through my artwork and honour my ancestors.”

Shawna Kiesman was born in Prince Rupert, BC and was raised in Victoria, BC. Her mother is Tsimshian/Nisga’a and her father is Haida/German. Shawna graduated from Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Arts (First Nations Fine Art Diploma). Kiesman continued her education at Emily Carr University of Art + Design to gain her Bachelor of Fine Arts and further develop her artistic skills. While in school, Kiesman received several awards including the Audain Entrance Scholarship and BC Arts Council Scholarship. Since graduating, Shawna’s career as an artist has continued to thrive, having successfully received a grant from First Peoples' Cultural Council and she was chosen to attend RBC Audain Museum Emerging Artist Program, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and Bonnie McComb Kreye Studio residencies. Kiesmans work is included in the permanent collections of the Nisga’a museum, Wii Gyemsiga Siwilaawksat and Coast Mountain College. Her work has been featured in creative review and canadian architecture magazine. Shawna continues to explore her art practice using the mediums of digital art, textiles, drawing and painting.

Si’aamhl wilsim Shawna!

Watch the inspiring event here -----> BC Achievement Foundation - 2023 POLYGON AWARD IN FIRST NATIONS ART (vidflex.tv)

BC achievement Article: https://www.bcachievement.com/2023/11/02/shawna-kiesman-named-crabtree-mclennan-emerging-artist-polygon-award-in-first-nations-art/

Website: -----> https://shawnakiesman.com/

 

Dr. Amy Parent is appointed member of the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research

Congratulations to Dr. Amy Parent, who will serve as a member of the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research. As such, Dr. Parent and her colleagues will advise presidents of Canada’s three federal research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada—and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

Read the full article on the UBC website HERE

Si’aamhl wilin Amy!

 

The Giving Voice Project.

The Giving Voice Project is funded by the Commission for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and the Laxgalts’ap Village Government. The goal is to support victims of domestic violence in the Nass.

The members of The Giving Voice Task Force are Crystal Bright, Collier Bright, Rosanne Clayton, Julian Davis, Pamela Wright and Angella Rose (White). They were invited by the facilitators, Beverley Holmes and Sara Bristow, based upon their demonstrated roles as community mentors and their commitment to the project. The Giving Voice Project is co-ordinated by Phyllis Clark.

The project will span a year and will pull together resources presently offered in the Nass, present a sustainable action plan for what needs to be in place to address this complex issue in the future, and coordinate a safe, community-wide initiative to educate in-community Nisga’a citizens, as well as provide opportunities for truth and reconciliation.

The Giving Voice Facebook Page is a place where people can post resources, constructive ideas and insights, and build a safe and respectful community of concerned and pro-active individuals of all ages. Join the Giving Voice Facebook page and invite friends and family: play it forward.

The project hopes to give voice and empower those who have lost their voice. The conversation is starting: let’s lift our voices and be heard. Everyone has something to say.

Stay tuned for upcoming communications, events, and contests!!

          ‘It takes a community to raise a village. It takes a nation to raise a nation.’

June 3, 2021: Giving Voice and Being Heard: The 7 Invitations

Coast Mountain College has commissioned an art piece to honour the resiliency and achievement of the class of 2020 and recognize the unique circumstances under which this year’s graduates have persevered during the ongoing pandemic. 

Kari Morgan K’alaajex’s submission of a fireweed and frog design called Resilience was selected because of its representation of transformation, resiliency and achievement. Each of this year’s 2020 graduates will receive a printed copy of the art piece in recognition of their achievement.

To read the full Coast Mountain College article, visit their website HERE

Si’aamhl wilin Kari K’alaajex!

As a matrilineal society, the Nisg̱a’a Nation honours its women and their roles in our lives as friends, mothers, grandmothers, nieces, sisters and daughters. We also honour them as President, Secretary-Treasurer, Councillors, professionals in law, health, education, finance, human resources, science, trades, humanities and the arts.

The International Women's Day 2019 campaign theme of #BalanceforBetter is a call-to-action for driving gender balance across the world. From grassroots activism to global action, we are entering a period of history where the world expects balance. It’s important to notice its absence and celebrate its presence. Advances have been made, but there is still a long way to go.

As the world celebrates International Women's Day, activity is underway acknowledging women's achievements and challenging bias. For more information about International Women’s Day visit www.internationalwomensday.com

Happy International Women’s Day!

As a matrilineal society, the Nisg̱a’a Nation honours its women and their role in our lives as mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, nieces and friends.  We also honour them as President, Secretary-Treasurer, Councillors, professionals in law, health, education, finance, human resources, science, trades, the arts, fashion. 

“Each of you are leaders. You are all beautiful, you have talent, and you inspire all who surround you.” Said President Eva Clayton in her greeting to women today.

A point of interest, of the 53 employees within the Directorate of Programs & Services at Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government, 52 are women!  These wonderful women make their daily contribution to the Nisg̱a’a Nation in Ayuuḵhl Nisg̱a’a, Citizenship, Nisg̱a’a Child & Family Services, Access to Justice and social development.

Of course, there is always room for improvement…

Now, more than ever, there's a strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity. There's a strong call to #PressforProgress motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.

For more information about International Women’s Day visit www.internationalwomensday.com 

Happy International Women’s Day!

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