Indigenous Voices in the Media and Arts World
SMOKE SIGNALS is a gathering of community-engaged artists and arts leaders examining the importance of our Indigenous voices in the art and media world. We recognize the unique ability our Indigenous perspectives have to transform and galvanize community, celebrating our role as artists and acknowledging the importance of reclaiming our own narrative as oral historians.
The conference is an opportunity for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, students, educators and creatives working in the non-profit service provider sector, education, and commercial art galleries to share and gather learning.
Declaration of Intent:
“We are a gathering of community-engaged artists and arts leaders examining the importance of Indigenous voices in the art and cultural sector. We are oral historians reclaiming our power through speaking out. We gather around the foundation of our cultural teachings, we transmit our views through art and media, and signal dangers of cultural appropriation. We will spend our time together as a community exploring the power of words and intentions in the art world as storytellers and as Indigenous peoples.”
The hope is for a deeper understanding and recognition of the:
- historical role of artists within the Indigenous community
- protocols for engaging Indigenous artists
- transformative ability of the arts to galvanize community
- strength of speaking out and telling your own story
- unique Indigenous perspectives in our art and media worlds
- importance of reclaiming Indigenous narrative in the media
- insight into decolonizing the art and cultural sector
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Past Leaders & Speakers
Michaella Shannon
Michaella Shannon, is Cree, Irish and Lakota from Frog Lake First Nation, AB. She is a TV host and personality, model, actress, writer, facilitator and mental health support worker for the Support Network for Indigenous Women & Women of Colour. Michaella has co-hosted APTN television series The Other Side for three seasons and is regularly called on by CityLine to host as a Fashion Expert. Most recently, she’s begun her career with etalk Canada as a Guest Contributor. She can also be seen on the television series Rabbit Fall and CityTV animation series Space Stretch . In late fall 2020, Michaella will be seen on the new TV series, The Secret History of the Wild West. And come 2021, you will see her in the new TVO and APTN series, Unsettled. As a writer, Michaella has been accepted into the Netflix Diversity of Voices Initiative at the Banff World Media Film Festival two years in a row with her first year making top 100 and her second year making top 25.
Jessica Dumas
Jessica Dumas is a Certified Life Coach and Speaker Coach who is passionate about helping entrepreneurs speak with clarity for online and virtual audiences. Jessica has always been enthusiastic about personal growth and recognizes how our own personal growth stimulates the impact on our community. She is a sought-after speaker in the areas of women in business, leadership success and Indigenous inclusion, as well as an expert emcee, serving numerous conferences and evening galas. Jessica can often be found speaking at the mic, sharing an Instagram live message or introducing Michelle Obama to thousands of people. She is an energetic and motivated professional who quickly gains the trust of her clients and audience with her warm and engaging personality and professional style. Jessica’s career started in customer service and took a turn to restorative justice where she realized her love for facilitation. She’s earned a certificate in restorative justice and mediation but her love for innovative facilitation styles inspired her to attend the Rotman School of Business and obtain a certificate in Advanced Business Design Facilitation, as well as a facilitation certificates.
