Episode Host
Lisa Myers is an independent curator, artist and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change at York University. She is the York University Research Chair in Indigenous Art and Curatorial practice and has curated exhibitions in public galleries and artist run centres across Canada. Lisa is a member of Chimnissing, Beausoleil First Nation.
Lisa’s research focuses on Contemporary Indigenous art and curatorial practice, Indigenous food systems and food sovereignty. Through socially engaged art, she creates gatherings that respond to place, sharing Indigenous foods and reflecting on underrepresented histories and collective forms of knowledge exchange.
Lisa is our podcast artistic director, co-host, co-producer and the regional host for the episode located around the Great Lakes. On top of leading this podcast and being a esteemed professor at York U, Lisa is continuously writing, making art, curating, playing music, cooking and sharing food, walking with her dog Juniper, and building radical work with many many others.
Episode Guests
Jeff Monague is a former Chief of the Beausoleil First Nation on Christian Island, former Director of Treaty Research with the Anishnabek (Union of Ontario Indians) and a Canadian Forces Veteran. Jeff Monague is an avid musician, singer, columnist and has taught Ojibwe language at the Simcoe County District School Board and Georgian College. He is an Elder and a Knowledge Keeper in his community.
Renée “Wassan” Dillard is a Anishinaabe natural fiber artist and teacher, raised in Anishinaabe communities of Michigan. She has performed countless presentations in universities, museums and community organizations as well as teaches an immeasurable number of workshops & classes to elders and families in Anishinaabe communities. In 2010, Renée was the recipient of the Michigan Heritage Award for her lifetime achievement in Natural Fiber Arts. From her earliest exposure of creating functional art in finger weaving, through more than 45 years of various fiber work and instructing others, Renée is a master artist of Anishinaabe natural fiber skills and knowledge.
is of Anishinaabe and English descent. She was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario where she continues to live. She is a band member of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and is the mother of two vibrant daughters. Leanna is a visual artist who tells stories of her ancestors and of the land, by keeping close to this intersection she seeks to understand the essence of her relationship with both. Leanna mainly works with textiles, performance and poetry.
