Photo Credit: Joe Zhanghi
Tara Dawn Solheim
Tara Dawn Solheim is a writer and musician. She has performed in many contexts throughout Canada, England, and Japan. Her original creations integrate poetry and melody into performance. Tara Dawn continues to create new work through residencies at Wallace Stegner House, St. Peter’s College, and Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Along with her work as an artist, Tara Dawn currently serves as Executive Director of Sage Hill Writing, an organization that offers development opportunities for professional writers and youth.
Photo: You Are No Less Nehîyaw Than Me, ecoaborijanelle
ecoaborijanelle
Janelle ‘ecoaborijanelle’ Pewapsconias is a spoken word artist, poet, and multidimensional momma from Little Pine First Nation. ecoaborijanelle is a multidimensional Indigenous Artist continuing the storytelling customs in her spoken word, board games, and creative anti-oppression projects. They build their spoken word practice to continue the oral tradition and celebrate Indigenous survivance and strength narratives. Impassioned and determined, Janelle ‘ecoaborijanelle’ Pewapsconias brings the message: ‘Your words are alive, your words matter, let us tell our stories with care.’
“…she builds community in each moment — brings people and experiences together...” — Tara Dawn Solheim
It’s an honour to nominate Nehīyaw artist Janelle “ecoaborijanelle” Pewapsconias (she/they) from Little Pine First Nation, Treaty 6 Territory. A spoken word poet, community organizer, and game designer, Janelle is the founder and creator of Indigenous art and board game projects, Neeched Up Games and Neechimoose Novelties. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Janelle in a few different contexts. I appreciate the way she builds community in each moment — brings people and experiences together through mindfulness, humour, and genuine presence. Janelle is an artist to watch.