UBC Arts: Staff Feature

New Book | Maggie Lou, Firefox

I was so delighted to receive a shipment of Maggie Lou, Firefox! This wonderful story is about a tenacious, persistent and rebellious young kid named Maggie Lou. I absolutely love this character and it was such a pleasure to bring her spirit to life. Find this youth reader at your local bookstore or library!

Special thanks to Groundwood books for inviting me to be a part of it.

New Book | Every Child Matters

Hi folks! Every Child Matters is a book that I illustrated and it’s available for purchase! Check out your local publisher to order a copy or buy it directly from the Medicine Wheel Publishing website.

August: Family Times

During the last week of July, we hit the road to visit family! We loaded up our tiny hatchback and headed to the interior. It was a blur of a week but it was so great to see Izzy visit with her cousins. Until next time…

Summer 2023: Mosswood Meltdown

At the end of June, I flew to Oakland, California for the Mosswood Meltdown music festival hosted by John Waters. It was a whirlwind trip and the first time that I’ve flown out of the country in years! I met up with my friend Heather and her coworkers at Vancouver’s Happy Cat store.

This festival had the band Le Tigre headlining, a band that I absolutely loved as as a teenager. The lineup included Bratmobile (reunion show!) and Gravy Train!!! Plus a number of other bands that I wasn’t totally familiar with. It felt like a blast from the past, listening to songs that I used to play in my car while driving around as a teenager.

The festival was outdoors and was a lot bigger than I thought it would be! There were two stages, one main stage and a smaller one nearby that had a concrete amphitheater set up, which helped ensure that everyone standing in the crowd had a great vantage point. The first thing I noticed when arriving at the festival was how everyone was dressed incredibly fashionable. It made my heart sing! Fluorescent yellow hair, Bettie Paige bangs and angular bob cuts; doc marten boots, pastel sneakers, platform sandals; pencil skirts paired with band tees, wild, patterned dresses, glittery and iridescent accessories; bright red lipstick, winged eyeliner, gemstones dotting foreheads and cheeks, bright eyeshadow; tattooed legs and arms, pierced lips and noses. I wanted to take photos of everyone that I saw to use as references for my drawings!

I also saw so many people dressed the way that I used to as a 20-year old. There was a particular riot grrrl style that I loved which paired 1950s-60s silhouettes with a punk aesthetic. Ringer tees with pearl buttoned cardigans adorned with one inch buttons that hinted at indie bands or subculture slogans. Fishnets under shorts or miniskirts, mod A-line dresses and bee hive hair-dos. Red lipstick that screamed a signal for feminist rhetoric. I became so nostalgic while walking through the crowd.

The festival happened over two days total and it was bright and sunny and hot for the entire weekend. We found shady spots throughout the day and were happy to nurse a beer while watching the stage from afar. In my 20s, I would have been bruising my knees and shins from standing against the gate that held the crowd back from the stage.

By the end of the festival, I was spent and it felt good to go home. But I definitely will consider coming back to this festival in the future, maybe not next year but soon. And I will absolutely be there if Beth Ditto decides to perform there with the Gossip.

May Flowers: VANCAF

Earlier this Sunday, I spoke on an artists’ panel at VANCAF! It’s been a year since I contributed work to Salmon Run and Cole Pauls facilitated a chat with a number of us. It was such a pleasure to see some of the other artists again and to be able to chat with some folks that really loved the anthology.

I really love how Cole decided to print it as a newspaper. And that it was free. It makes the distribution of it feel so wonderful and joyful and exciting. It reminds me of how print media used to be circulated in the 90s and 2000s.

I had a few people ask me about my work and it is so rare where I get to meet people. One was a younger kid with her parents and that felt truly special to me. I let them know to check my website for updates on my upcoming publications and if they happen to read this post, please know y’all made my day. Sechanalyagh (thank you).

I’m also deeply appreciative of my friend Maritza coming to the talk and asking such a great question to all of the artists. She is an incredible 3-D sculpture artist and she talks a lot about Indigenous artistry in her field. I think it’s an important conversation and it’s such a pleasure to take time to examine the intersections of Indigenous artists working in similar but very unique creative environments.

Anyways, I’m very thankful for where my illustration career has taken me. I’ve been working quite hard to break into children’s book publishing and I believe that I’ve been quite successful with getting my name out there. And I also believe it’s the right time in my life to be able to take on this work. I have been reflecting a lot on how life takes you certain places, it’s partially based on your work ethic but at a certain point it’s also based on reputation and the good energy you put into the world.

Just a wonderful reminder to always work on your creative passions. Keep trying harder, don’t give up, just make things you love and keep at it even when it gets hard. The practice of creative expression isn’t always easy but if you keep at it, you see growth.

Keep gardening and growing, friends.

April: When it pours

There was the time I was walking down 1st ave between Commercial Drive and Clark street and the leaves were falling. They gleamed like tattered gold foil against the blue grey sky. It was mid October.

1st ave is a commuter street. A passage from the highway to downtown. It is noisy and busy and all of the cars drive too fast.

My friend used to live in a walk up apartment that faced 1st ave. Rooms joined in a circle. Living room to bedroom to kitchen. I went over to feed her cat once and we sat on her couch and watched a movie. It was raining that day and the movie was sad. The continuous hum of traffic permeated every quiet scene, every pause and glance.

When I first met my partner, we once heard a dog barking but it sounded like a chicken. I made fake posters that asked “Has Anyone Seen Dog-Chicken?”. There were pull-tabs on the bottom of the poster that would normally share a phone number or email. Instead, you could pull a small drawing of dog-chicken. I remember taping a poster along the bike path that crossed 1st ave. Out of all of the posters I created, this one was the most popular. All of the tabs were gone within two days.

Once we went to a Halloween house party along 1st ave, it was at someone’s house we didn’t know. Everyone in the backyard was quietly sipped beer, a vampire talked to a hamburgler who was looking at their phone. A couple of power rangers smoked cigarettes near the alley. We walked up the wooden stairwell to the third floor and started dancing in an empty living room. The room slowly filled with people until there was almost no where to stand. My partner boosted me on to the mantle of the fireplace and I held the ceiling for balance, laughing hysterically. I was a ghost in a bedsheet. I wasn’t wearing socks.

On that day in mid-October, I remember thinking how beautiful those leaves were. It was the kind of moment that they try to recreate in movies, that animators spend hundreds of hours trying to capture. A photo couldn’t replicate the wind that looped its way around every limb and branch.

My friend moved out of the city and the apartment she lived in burned down a handful of months later. The lot sat empty for a while but it eventually sold. It will be a duplex in a year from now.

My bike is creaky and needs some oil. Dust has gathered on its seat. Cobwebs stretch between each spoke.

I don’t hear about Halloween house parties anymore. The last one I went to was years ago and everyone was high on coke. I retreated to the kitchen and had a funny conversation with someone who talked too fast.

Everything changes and that’s fine. But sometimes I’m on the look out for those beautiful little moments. The ones I can accidentally drive by while tuning out to a podcast. The scenes I miss while scrolling on my phone during transit. The leaves falling like golden confetti while I stay inside all day instead.

Poem | Yeqox

When you were born,

we wondered if you would become

a swimmer,

a runner,

a dancer,

or something else entirely.

Someone who could skate

across frozen rivers and lakes,

Someone who could dipnet the stars

with the ancestors,

Someone who could sing their songs…

And call back their great grandparents’ memories like a sunrise.

Someone who’s words and stories

could talk to spirits.

When you were born, we got stronger,

We laughed harder and poured our tears and sweat back into the earth.

We heard the river call your name

We felt the fire crackle in delight

I saw my grandpa’s ghost and he said to you, welcome back.

(A poem that I wrote a few months ago.)

September update: Ought ‘em

I’m excited to share that “Drum from the Heart” is one of the top 15 best-selling books in British Columbia! Our book landed at #12. I was chatting with the author Ren and we are both so elated and thankful for all of the support for this publication. As I’ve said in the past, it was an absolute pleasure illustrating this story because it’s filled with love and has such a powerful message for Indigenous youth. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, check out your local bookstore or you can order it from Indigo Chapters. If you’re located in Vancouver, the toy store named Dilly Dally and Irondog Books have several copies available! I always recommend supporting local retailers when you can. :)

Here’s the link to the article.

This September has been incredibly busy for me and my family. I am currently working on another publication with Medicine Wheel Education, I look forward to sharing more details when I can! Also, I’m working on a picture book with Kids Can Press which is very exciting! The team has been incredible to work with so far and I cannot wait to get to the painting stage of this project because these images are going to be brimming with colour!

Also, I recently produced an image for Sweet Potato magazine. Check out the article here.

I’m riding the cool breeze of September aided by that back-to-school momentum to help fuel the inspiration for my recent projects. I’m also looking forward to spending more time cooking this Fall, we typically try not to use the stove or oven in the summer because it heated up our space so much. And it was a really hot summer! So now that the weather is cooling off, I’ve started making a few batches of soup and roasting root vegetables. This is my favourite time of year and I am really looking forward to October.

Take care and keep well. And buy a squash this week, cuz why not?

My thesis

My thesis on Eden Robinson’s Trickster Trilogy has been officially published! You can find it here.

It’s over and I’m tired.

Well, well, well. The great news is, I passed my thesis defence. I’m in the process of uploading it to the university’s official website but I am pretty much done my degree. I worked so hard on my presentation and decided that since I wasn’t presenting data, I wouldn’t use a PowerPoint. I often find that they are only useful if you are using images or specific figures that are needed to support what you’re talking about. Otherwise, it’s a bit superfluous. If I had more time, I would have illustrated some slides but I chose to not spend my time doing that. Instead I focused on writing a presentation that was well-rehearsed and added context to my overall written work.

My eyes were totally bleary the night before my presentation from staring at a screen for so long. But I really did write out my presentation (2000 words+, edited down from 3000+!!!) so that I wasn’t simply reading aloud from my actual thesis. Well…for a few segments, I did do this. But for the most part, I didn’t. Anyways. I am so happy to have passed and I received great feedback from my committee and specifically, they commented on the strength of my presentation which made me feel like I made the right choice about not doing a PowerPoint and instead focusing on what I would say.

The week after my defence (I defended on May 11), I was absolutely exhausted. I didn’t leave my apartment. I slept so much, I just had zero energy. Despite this, I tried really hard to celebrate. But like everything during Covid, it’s felt a little lacklustre and I guess, that’s just how it is. Also, I won’t actually graduate until November so that is likely contributing to this occasion feeling a bit…deflated. But at least I no longer have to worry about my thesis anymore.

I want to feel filled with a sense of achievement but I’m not there yet. I feel a little out of sorts. One day, I might describe how the thesis process felt but for now, I just need to rest. I’m taking a break and I’m trying to reset my focus on my family, my daughter and just… taking time to chill and sleep and feel rejuvenated.

Anyways. I just wanted to share this update.

I am proud of myself, completing a graduate degree is something I have always dreamed of doing. Now that it’s done, it feels a little disorienting. Waves of achievement with waves of other emotions, too. I’m just gonna ride it out and see how I feel about it in a few months.

PS I will share the thesis link when it’s officially published.

May update: holy moly it’s May

A list of good things:

I got my bike fixed and I’ve been able to go on a few rides around the city. Damn, I have really missed cycling. There is nothing better than destroying yourself up an incline and then riding smoothly down a hill. It’s one of the best feelings in the world.
We have finally found a balance of staying safe and socializing with folks. Everyone is going their own pace with covid stuff and we have been extra cautious these last couple of years. Especially when I was pregnant and when Izzy was first born. I have/had so much anxiety and just didn’t want to cause her harm. I also didn’t want to cause my parents harm by bringing illness into their house. The coast is not clear for many people so I’m super aware that everyone has their own boundaries regarding that. But I’ve been super glad to get outside more and start meeting up with people for walks and that sort of thing. For the most part, I can be pretty introverted and that’s fine with me. But I have to admit, taking more time to actually “see”friends these last few months has been really good for me.
Izzy is teething like crazy these days but for the most part, she’s sleeping through the night. Holy moly are we thankful. Sleep is a precious thing and I am always thankful for when I get 6-7 hours straight. I think it’s hilarious that a few years ago, I was obsessed with trying to get 8 hours of sleep every night. I can now function efficiently off 6. When I used to hear coworkers (with kids) talk about that I would secretly think “HOW” ….but now literally any sleep is better than the level of newborn sleep deprivation we experienced those first 8 weeks.
I got to see my little cousin nieces about a month ago. The last time I saw them was prepandemic and they were so small. They were toddlers or babies. Now they have totally levelled up and it has blown my mind. Time shifts as you get older. It’s so interesting how quickly things happen now versus 15-20 years ago. Or even back when you were a kid and a summertime felt like years versus now, where there’s only so many weekends you can plan things. It’s strange. But anyways, I am very thankful to see relatives esp the littlest ones.
Thesis. My thesis defence is next week. It’s almost over. I’m nervous and excited. Mostly excited. Wish me luck!

Spring 2022 update: Cherry Blossoms

It’s been a while! Lately, I’ve been focusing on the completion of my thesis. It’s incredibly close to being done and I’m hoping for either spring or fall graduation this year. I’m excited to share my work once it’s available publicly.

My research focus is on Eden Robinson’s Trickster Trilogy. I’m examining the trickster figure as a story methodology versus the interpretation of it as a specific character. This lens allows the meaning of trickster stories to be understood as a framework for Indigenous ideologies and histories — and ultimately lessons for Indigenous futurisms — versus viewing these stories as a static example of Indigenous culture.

Other than that, I have a comic that will be published as part of an Indigenous anthology for Vancouver Art and Comics Book Fair. This comic gathering has been one of my favourite events in Vancouver these last few years. When I was a younger person, I used to attend zine and comic book festivals but they were predominantly spaces where work by white men were featured. I always felt like there was an aspect of “community” missing from these events. VANCAF is incredible because it has such a diverse selection of artists, it’s much more BIPOC and it’s much more queer. And they are active in trying to curate more diversity into their programming which is amazing. Anyways, I’m really looking forward to the printed copy of my work and I was really honoured to be invited to be a part of it.

Speaking of publishing, I have two major illustration gigs lined up for this fall. I don’t have enough details to share but I’m incredibly excited for both of these storybook projects. I will hopefully have more information by this summer.

Besides that, parenthood is pretty much everything that I’ve been focused on! I’m so thankful for my family and for my parents, sisters, and relatives. Life is good these days, and I don’t take a single second of it for granted. Things are still a little awkward with Covid, we are still trying to be very safe with where we hang out and whatnot. But we are really looking forward to a sunny spring.

November November

November is almost over! That weird rainy month between Halloween and Christmas. My go-to movie binges include the Harry Potter series and serial killer/crime thrillers. This year, I thought about rewatching Twin Peaks season 1&2 but never got around to it so I’ll have to save it for next year.

In terms of creative work, there’s a couple of updates that I wanted to share! Firstly, I am so excited to announce that the Mad Aunty x Holy Smoookes “Stay Mad” launch is here!

I am so amped about how this turned out. Sparkly enamel buttons, reverse tie dye, toques, hoodies… everything looks so great. Go check it out at the Mad Aunty website! I’m unintentionally posting this on Black Friday but hey, remember to support Indigenous businesses. (Update: PLUS, Mad Aunty is offering 20% off from Nov 26-29!!! Get your gear asap!)

Secondly, Laiwan’s exhibition “How Water Remembers” is showing at Massy Arts! My illustrations are included in this show. Be sure to swing by to check it out if you live in Vancouver!

https://massyarts.com

Finally, sending good spirits to those who are feeling exhausted, exasperated and angry about the recent natural disasters and the ongoing violence of natural resource industries on Indigenous land. I know I’m not alone I’m feeling filled with rage some days and feeling totally at a loss of what to do the next. It is difficult to manage the strength, support and personal self care to continue resistance, protest and compassion for the land and those in need.

As the days grow darker, I’m trying to remember to take time to rest and regenerate. Hibernation occurs for a reason, after all. But I also like to think about how these dark nights bring about a time to gather with loved ones to share light, stories, food and memories. Maybe this is a year to log off and focus on real connections with people? While covid times continuously makes travelling and gathering challenging, I hope you and your immediate loved ones can tuck away and be well.

Take care, the winter solstice is almost here.

Fall Update: Pumpkin Head

As of early September, my partner and I have welcomed a new member to our family! It’s been such a wild time learning who she is and shifting our lives to take care of this brand new little person.

I am someone who thrives off of planning and considering possible solutions to future disruptions, issues or challenges. In other words, I like to hope for the best but plan for the worst. The funny thing is, when it comes to a new baby, you can’t really plan for what will happen. I’ve had to let go of some of the habits that I’ve used to feel a sense of control, some of which I’ve used to maintain a form of personal wellness. But I’m looking forward to this next cycle of life. Learning how to adapt and go with the flow. I wonder whether it will allow me to experience life with a different type of mindfulness?

Anyways, things are very different now. Life has totally changed. And there’s a level of knowing what the focus will be in the immediate future but also, not knowing what this next year will look like.

In terms of projects, I’m just finishing up a collaboration with jewelry maker and artist, Mad Aunty. I’ve been working on it as of July and there’s been a few remaining details to sort out. I believe that as of this weekend it’s all good to go and I look forward to a big announcement of the collaborative launch sometime this Fall!

Additionally, I’ve been commissioned to draw a comic for VANCAF! I’m so excited about this and will keep you posted on publication details once they are available.

Finally, I will be finalizing my thesis defence in the early New Year. Fingers crossed for a successful process!

Drum From The Heart is available for pre-order

Hey folks,

I am happy to share that the children’s story book that I illustrated is available for pre-order! Thank you so much to the team at Medicine Wheel Education for this opportunity. Big congrats to Ren, the author! Your story is so beautiful and it was a pleasure to work with you on this project.

Order your copy here.

if you happen to be a librarian, educator, elementary school teacher or ECE, I would greatly appreciate your support with sharing information regarding this book. It would make a great addition to your library/reading lists!

Sechanalyagh (thank you)!

July Update: Sunflower season

Hi everyone,

Here’s an update for July!

>>> The Master of Arts in Children’s Literature Summer Intensive is here! It’s a series that I have helped with so it’s exciting that it’s finally happening. The series is free and all sessions will be recorded so if you’ve missed something that was of interest to you, don’t worry. You can catch a recording later in the week:

https://macl.arts.ubc.ca/summer-school/

>>> I’m wrapping up my current assignments with the Tsilhqot’in research project and will be taking a hiatus from the group for the fall. Hopefully things will be sorted out by August 5th.

>>> Fun news, I have some writing in the next issue of Indigenous Brilliance. It’s been a long time since I’ve submitted creative work to a magazine and I’m really excited by the style of writing that I’ve produced for this issue. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and I’m trying to decide whether I want to continue this as a comic series. I think it could adapt to that format pretty easily. Anyways, please do consider supporting this next issue, it would mean a lot to me.

Link:
Indigenous Brilliance - ROOM Magazine

>>> My graduate thesis is still in the editing process. I am finding it to be such a grind but I’m making headway each weekend. Physically, I am struggling with fatigue so it’s not possible for me to continue editing it in the evening after a full work day. I do feel confident that I will get this done within the next month.

>>> Finally, I broke my promise to myself about not taking on extra projects and I took on one last creative endeavour. It’s with an artist and maker that I think is so talented and I couldn’t turn it down. It’s just a great fit between both of our practices. So I’ve communicated a healthy timeline, she is aware that I’m having a baby soon so we shall see how it goes.

>>> My sister Kristen is taking some Nsyilxcen language classes in the Fall and was encouraging me to take them with her. I was almost convinced before I finally recognized, no. I can’t do this right now. I will be sleep deprived and struggling to keep up with course content. So that is on hold but I’m excited to hear how the course goes for her and who knows, maybe I will sign up for some classes in the new year.

Tips for my future self:
Do less. I’m very proud of all the projects that I’ve been able to take on this last year, especially the last 8 months while being pregnant but lately, I feel tired. I feel like I haven’t taken enough time for resting and focusing on preparing for life in the next few months. Each moment that I take for reprieve feels like a compromise against the many other commitments that I’ve taken on. It’s an internal bargain to negotiate how much time I can take for me versus what I owe to the many projects that I’m working on. Imagine not having that internal debate? Imagine not having the guilt seep in for going swimming at the pool or spending an afternoon at the park or the beach? I am at a stage in my life where I do not feel that inflated sense of self-importance from being “too busy”. I naturally take on projects to fill time or because I’m genuinely excited about them but I am recognizing that I am entering a huge shift in my life and I need to be more intentional about taking steps towards leaving space in my life to just live and to honestly, be okay with that. I’ve gravitated to projects this past year due to the pandemic and how it can fill the time that might be taken up through social connections. It’s likely been a way to make something out of the nights that I’d spend at karaoke with friends, or the cycling picnic trips that I’d take to various parks in Vancouver or gathering at a busy restaurant for food and drinks.

Anyways, this is not a new conversation, I have heard many people debate this in real life or on podcasts or on social media. I guess I’m just pitching my voice into the echo valley so that we can all hear the reverberation of needing time to just live and that it’s okay to do less.

Cheers, wishing you all a good summer. Hope you find that perfect berry bush during your next walk in the forest, that you get to travel back home to visit relatives, or that you spend some quality leisure time with your pets, loved ones, and friends.

June Update: bloom

1) Big news! My partner and I are expecting a baby in August! We are super excited and are starting to organize everything we need for later this summer. It’s been a strange experience during a pandemic but overall, we couldn’t be happier.

2) Thesis is in the final draft stages, I’m still hoping to defend this summer but we shall see how it goes. Fingers crossed.

3) I’m almost finished the illustrations for the children’s novel, it’s looking amazing. I can’t wait to get this project to a state of completion so I can share it with everyone.

4) Minor setback, I’ve learned that I have arthritis in my right thumb. It prevented me from typing and drawing for almost four days. I can’t really imagine what life would be life if I couldn’t draw anymore… but I need to not stress about it. I’m lucky it’s very minor and it’s made me realize I need a better work/life balance.

5) I’m very excited to have some new illustration work being presented for Laiwan’s art project called HOW WATER REMEMBERS. Check out her website for more info:

https://www.laiwanette.net/#/how-water-remembers/

Other things:

i am still working on the Tsilhqotin war research project, it’s going well.
I am still working on the summer intensive for the Master of Arts in Children’s literature.
My books are entirely closed for the rest of the year. I cannot take on any further projects and will be considering new projects in the new year - 2022.

Keep well, wonderful people.

Spring Update: Busy Bee

Hi folks,

Just wanted to share some updates!

>>The documentary film Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy premieres at Vancouver’s DOXA festival in May. The animation that I helped create illustrations for will be in this film, I’m really excited to see it in the final form.
The film speaks to the importance of harm reduction, especially in Indigenous communities. It’s a topic that a lot of our communities struggle with, I know my home community tends to believe that abstinence is the only answer. But the complex ways in which trauma and addiction affect people is complicated and requires inclusion with community supports rather than alienation. Kainai First Nation depicts real examples of harm reduction and safe drug use sites, I hope people get the chance to check this film out.

Buy tickets:

https://doxa2021.eventive.org/films/605b9e73e0ae9c00637e2bf3

>> I have a short story/prose piece that will be published in the next issue of Indigenous Brilliance, the piece is called ‘Bad Medicine’. It began as a poem and it expanded into a short story. It’s been a long time since I wrote in this style and I’m really excited for people to get a chance to read it.

>> Still working on the research for Helen Haig-Brown’s film on the Tsilhqot’in War. I’m finding that I enjoy reading the subtext of historical documents to consider an Indigenous perspective of how Tsilhqot’ins may have responded to settler contact. It’s really incredible to be able to talk with people about Indigenous histories in a way that is generative and openminded. It’s also really hilarious to laugh at settler escapades and how they didn’t realize how many Indigenous folks thought their surveying was going to lead to their imminent deaths. There is so much ego steeped in Simon Fraser’s writing for instance but if you can read between the lines, it’s refreshingly comical.

>> I’m still working on the children’s picture book project, I’m delighted to work with Medicine Wheel Education and the author. It’s been such a smooth project so far with lots of care and attention. I am very thankful for the good faith put into the illustrative aspect of the story project. I’m so excited for the end result.

>> My thesis is coming along, I’m really hoping to get this beast to a readable draft soon. It’s definitely getting there, I’m proud of a lot of the elements being raised so far. I still experience moments of insecurity regarding my abilities but that is definitely a challenge that I think all writers go through. I think that’s been one of the best things that I’ve learned so far, is that you will have doubts and you will experience blocks. But the goal is to overcome and persist past these negative thoughts/voices. I think about how hard I worked at sports and the level of determination you need to be self-critical but also to believe in yourself. There’s a lot of similarity in terms of the mental endurance needed for these kinds of projects.

>> I’m presenting at a conference for my English department in early May which is a great motivator for writing and getting my thesis to a place that I discuss widely with my peers. I’m looking forward to it.

>>Also, I’m providing some support on a conference/educational opportunity related to Children’s literature at UBC. It’s been fun to provide some insight here and there and as time draws closer to the conference, there will be more opportunities to jump in and help coordinate things.

>> On another note, my heart has been heavy with the ongoing shootings occurring south of the border, stemming from systems and governments founded on racism, violence and oppression. I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting and talking about it with my partner. How do you process hate and murder? The will and need for change seeps out into the equity related work I do for my day job. I struggle with wanting change now while respecting the process and time it takes for collective ways forward. It’s hard not to feel frustrated or exasperated. For anyone who’s work is adjacent or intersects with racial based injustice, I hold space with you. Remember to talk these things out with your friends and loved ones.

>> Finally, I have an additional update to share but I will need to wait until May to announce it. Until then, I hope you’re well.

Feb Update: Winter Melt

Just wanted to provide a brief update on what I’ve been working on! Late last year, I had the chance to work with Élle-Máija Tailfeathers on a documentary that she’s finalizing with her team. Specifically I was asked to create some images for an animation that would be used during a short information segment in the film. This was the first project where I imagined the storyboard and drove the concept of how it may be animated given the short timeline. I focused on making compelling images because even if the animation was a simple pan or zoom in, it can look quite beautiful as long as the artwork is interesting to look at. I was not responsible for the actual animation, just the artwork, extra art materials to use for animation and providing guidance on how I imagined it appearing visually (which was taken into consideration by the animator who had far more experience with this sort of thing than myself). I am quite proud with how the artwork turned out and I’m really thankful that I was encouraged to use my art style and aesthetic.

Following this project, I needed to refocus on my thesis for my graduate program. December was my first significant writing month and has been my main priority leading into the New Year. It would be amazing if I could finish my thesis by the spring but I think a more realistic goal will be to complete this by the summer. I’m really excited about where my writing is headed and I’m hoping to share small bits and pieces on this blog in the near future.

In terms of community work, I’m currently sitting on an artist committee for Tsilhqot’in food sovereignty. I’m working with researchers and coordinators in the hopes of creating a curated project that will launch at a conference later this year. It’s always been challenging to feel connected to my home community due to living far from home down in the city but I really want to offer my illustration abilities but also project management (when it comes to artistic and creative projects). Another community project that I’ve been invited to work on is a research project with filmmaker Helen-Haig Brown. I’m working with several people to recover Tsilhqot’in history and documents into an archive which can be used for a future project. I won’t say much more because I’m not sure how much is public knowledge but I am really thankful to use some of my research skills on this huge endeavour. Sometimes when I’ve had time to reflect on the purpose of my graduate work, I’ve had some doubts in what my role is within an academic and institutional environment. But this project is so encouraging, it’s redirecting my focus on what I can do for my home Nation.

Finally, some super exciting news on the creative front is that I’ve been offered a contract with a local publisher for a children’s book project. I’ve had the opportunity to work on children’s books in the past — often community projects or research related publications — but this is the first publisher that will be actively promoting the product for distribution. Part of me if familiar with this process of book making, it’s something I’ve done for a very long time, but another part of me wants to acknowledge how hard I’ve worked to begin working with publishers and I feel like this is only the beginning of a new peak that I’ve reached.

Sometimes artists and creative types are constantly “in the grind” that it’s hard to acknowledge when we have reached some significant achievements in our career so I’m taking time to feel proud of myself.

Thanks to everyone that has supported my work, to my dear friends, family, and social media supporters, the online community has played an immeasurable role in reaching people and i know that plays a part in this.

Sechanalyagh. (Thank you)