About the IACC
Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada
A Canada Incorporated Not-for-profit Corporation
Founded 2012. Corporation Number: 9469869
Heritage Canada Designation as a National Arts Service Organization,
Registered Charity #801401274 RR 0001
Annual General Meeting: Saturday, January 13, 2024 @ 1pm. To join: board@indigenousartscollective.org
Since it's inception, this has been a full time, volunteer position for all board members. No founder or board member has been renumerated for their work. All board members are numbered Indians under the outdated Indian Act. (Status Card Holders).
mission statement
In taking inspiration from the Haudenosaunee Seventh Generation Principle, Iehstoseranón:nha (Dawn), founded the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada in 2012 to preserve and revitalize endangered Indigenous art forms and enrich lives through Indigenous arts and culture.
In safe and inclusive spaces, through community based learning, the organization engages, [re]connects and empowers Indigenous women by promoting the transfer and conservation of cultural knowledge; securing the capacity for the next seven generations to retain and cultivate intrinsic cultural connections and world views.
purpose statement
Through education and the arts, we are defiantly motivated to facilitate healing and reconciliation within our Indigenous communities and create informed opinions of our culture in Canadian society as a whole.
As recognized by the federal government by request of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, there is significant inter-generational trauma within our First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities because of the legacy of the residential school system, mass apprehension of children from their parents and communities (coined \'60\'s Scoop\') and many other means of cultural assimilation.
This trauma affects affects our spiritual, physical, mental and emotional well being. This organization recognizes that in order to walk a good and productive path, we must be healthy in all four quadrants of the medicine wheel teachings.
For Indigenous people, art is the very soul of our spirituality. It's our every movement, dance and song - it is in every stroke of paint, every bead sewn, every feather placed.
We must continue to teach and protect this way of being. We have a responsibility to educate ourselves so that our children may be able to carry on our work.
vision statement
From within and outside of our communities, we will create the spaces, provide the resources and facilitate communal approaches to the retention of cultural knowledge.
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- Spaces and Resources • We believe that access to quality programming, appropriate spaces and art resources will facilitate experiential education and compliment formal educational institutes. We also feel in that making these spaces available to non-Indigenous visitors, we are creating an educational environment that speaks to inter-cultural respect and co-admiration.
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- Pedagogy • Place-based education employs the entire community and allows youth to be grounded in their own culture with hands-on, project-based learning.
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- Reconciliation • This organization is committed to the reparation of inter-generational trauma and the empowerment of the next seven generations. It is imperative that we teach not only confidence in history and culture but also co-operative and respectful interrelations with our Canadian neighbours.
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- Protection and Safety for Women • Our board of directors is built by strong Indigenous women. We are aware that we are more likely to go missing, be murdered or be victims of violence. We are also aware that we are not as likely to be investigated as non-Indigenous victims of violence; crimes against us often go unnoticed or are not valued as worthy of investigation. There is often no justice. This organization reaches at risk women both on and off reserve and provides accessible, safe cultural activities.
This organization...
preserves and revitalizes Indigenous art forms and empowers artists in the following ways:
- Increased economic stability through employment
- Increased physical activity
- Access to material resources
- Access to community networking, connections to instructors/mentors/elders
- Free marketing, advertising and publicity (artist directory, business branding, web and graphic design
- Exhibition and sale venues in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous settings
- Workshops, conferences (Indigenous Women's Arts Conference) and gatherings
Dawn Iehstoseranon:nha
Founder & President
Volunteer
Dawn is the founder of the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada and owner at Pass The Feather.
Dawn is Akwesasronon (Akwesasne), Kanienkéha’ka (Mohawk), Wakhskaré:wake (Bear Clan),Feather Keeper/Protector and artist practicing and sharing bird medicines, web and graphic design and writing.
Dawn is the founder and full time volunteer of the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada and artist at Pass The Feather.
Pass The Feather is a sole proprietorship and offers custom feather medicines, graphic and website design. Dawn is also a writer, graphic and web designer passionate about elevating Indigenous voices through websites, branding and marketing. Full bio on her personal website.
Her work as founder of the IACC spans over a decade and includes Indigenous Women's Arts Conference, Remember Me: National Day of Remembrance (1st ever National Day of Truth and Reconciliation), the construction of IndigenARTSY - a massive on line e-commerce website for IACC membership artists as well as all all original programming and day to day workings of the non profit organization. Dawn and the entire board of directors are volunteer and do not take any compensation for their work relating to board duties.
Over the years, Dawn has established important and meaningful relationships with Elders, artists, Indigenous women and organizations. 2023 she was a delegate to the United Nations with her sisterhood Matrilineal Order of the Haudenosaunee, she is very active in her community of Akwesasne and a helper to Louise McDonald Herne (condoled Bear Clan Mother of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy).
She welcomes all to contribute, collaborate with and join her in her work to empower Indigenous women and protect endangered Indigenous art forms.
Iehstoseranón:nha (She Keeps/Protects the Feathers) Pronounced: Ya sto sah la nuhk hna. Named by Louise McDonald Herne, Rotiskarewa:ke, Akwesasne Kahsennahon:we, Tehanakari:ne, Midwinter 2023. English Birth Name (pre-adoption): Mary Francis. Post Adoption Renamed: Dawn Setford. Dawn is a Sixties Scoop Survivor and was reunited with her birth family in 1989.
Lindsey Kirby McGregor
Volunteer Director
mother | educator | change maker
Lindsey is a member of Whitefish River First Nation. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work (Indigenous Specialization) from the UVictoria, a Master of Education from UOttawa, and is beginning her MA studies with Professor Ruth Kane in January 2019.
Lindsey managed Indigenous programs at Willis College and she developed and taught an Indigenous Community Service Work Program that became accredited by the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada, as well as a three-week course in Indigenous Knowledge for the Helping Professions for Indigenous Personal Support Worker students.
Lindsey developed and coordinated two programs for Indigenous women through Minwaashin Lodge, including a program that trained 8 Indigenous women as literacy and basic skills tutors to work with clients at Oshki Kizis Lodge, a domestic violence shelter.
She has assisted with Circle of Care facilitation for families involved with the Children’s Aid Society through Wabano Center. She has lived and worked in Kuujjuaraapik, Kuujjuaq, and Kangirsujuaq, Nunavik in various community roles and has supported many Inuit students from Nunavut and Nunavik, to upgrade their skills as well as successfully complete college-level studies in the city of Ottawa. Most recently, she has been assisting in the evaluation of the Nunavik Teacher Education Programs offered by Kativik Ilisarniliriniq.
Lindsey is now acting Program Manager of Indigenous Relations for the City of Ottawa. The Indigenous Relations Office works alongside Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners to identify opportunities for systemic changes that improve access to programs and services and supports the City’s work to further reconciliation. Meet Lindsey at https://youtu.be/Hb1NcG63n74
Brandy Bloxom
Volunteer Director
Brandy Bloxom was born in Pinawa, Manitoba and soon after relocated to Leaf Rapids in northern Manitoba where she spent the remainder of her youth.
Growing up in the north with First Nations roots has inspired Brandy throughout her creative processes in art and photography. A self -taught photographer, Brandy has also helped aspiring photographers by hosting small workshops and one-to-one sessions within her home community of Denare Beach, SK and neighbouring communities of Creighton, SK and Flin Flon, Manitoba. Brandy has always been curious about her Indigenous history. She has explored and shared many teachings and her love of the outdoors in the work that she creates. Brandy has evoked strong thought and feeling that connect her with issues regarding our women today.
With an eye for detail, Brandy promotes self-acceptance, passion, and celebration of our physical uniqueness with her artistic and boudoir photography. As a mother of two young women, her work in this area has been strongly inspired to ensure she leaves her children with positive media influences andstrong self esteem
Brandy has recently taken on a role as a documentary photographer to capture events locally and internationally. As a board member of Diamonds in the Rough (DITR), Brandy was able to travel to Russia to document the ground-breaking work of the team. DITR is the first all women’s mine rescue team to compete in an international mine rescue competition and the first ever women to perform work in the underground operations of mines (where it is illegal for women to work underground) Brandy continues to seek opportunities that display women in roles that break barriers. Brandy has been invited to photograph the emotional and important healing ceremonies for MKO and families of missing and murdered women.
She has been recently invited to facilitate and contribute with the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada and Pass the Feather in Ottawa.
High in demand as a photographer and artist, Brandy balances her work with her life as a wife and mother of three. She continues to enjoy the outdoors in northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba always with camera in tow.
View Brandy's photographic stories on her website at BrandyBloxom.com
Bailey Bjarnason
Volunteer Director
Engineer | Artist
As a proud member of the Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation and former resident of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, Bailey carries a deep connection to her Indigenous roots and a deep reverence for nature, nurtured during her upbringing in Northern Manitoba. Her childhood instilled in her a passion for sustainability in the forms of art, wellness, and the environment.
Facing a pivotal decision between pursuing a career in art or science, Bailey chose the path of engineering with a noble aspiration—to protect the environment and give back communities like her own. Throughout her academic and career journey, she has remained diligent and committed to utilizing her artistic talents to enhance her work. As an Indigenous-women, artist, and engineer, Bailey offers unique perspectives and skill sets to all of her pursuits.
Despite the demands of her engineering career, Bailey has never strayed far from her artisticroots. And has continued to create and innovate in her personal artistic journey. Bailey is honoured to be an artist and board member of the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada, an organization founded and led by Indigenous women. With a deep sense of pride in her heritage, dedication to empowering Indigenous women, and conserving Indigenous culture, Bailey strives to use her knowledge and resources to create opportunities for cultural expression and community engagement.
IACC employees wages are covered by Canada Council for the Arts, Long Term Projects grant.
employees | liasón
Shannon Graham
Executive Assistant
advocate | ally | master organizer
Shannon is our new Executive Assistant. She joined IACC in July 2022 and has been a master organizer for our Parliament Hill National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous Women’s Arts Conference.
Although Shannon is non-Indigenous, her drive to support others led her to pursue a degree in Social Work at Trent University. It was here that Shannon learned about the injustices and marginalization Indigenous women have and continue to face in Canada. This encouraged Shannon to seek out more knowledge and make connections with Indigenous professors and students in her academic career. Shannon is very grateful to be able to continue learning from the amazing women at IACC and is very fortunate to have the opportunity to use her degree to support an organization that uplifts Indigenous women and promotes the preservation of cultural knowledge and art forms.
Natasha Darling
Communications & Outreach Manager
mother | water protector | history geek
Natasha is a member of Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte) who's passionate about Water, Indigenous history, and stand up paddle boarding. She grew up in the Katarokwi (Kingston, Ontario) area before making her way south to pursue a career in marketing and web development. Natasha spent the last 12 years working in the wellness and hospitality industries in Southern California before relocating back to Eastern Ontario with her family in 2021.
As a Kanyen’kéha second language learner, and Language Warrior, Natasha is committed to Mohawk language revitalization and is actively engaged in creating and participating in language learning opportunities in her community.
Last year, Natasha, along with her sister, founded Two Sisters SUP Inc., a stand-up paddle-boarding company leading Indigenous history tours in Kenhtè:ke, Katarokwi, and the 1000 Islands, with the purpose of helping to connect people to the spirit of water.
When not working or out on the water, Natasha volunteers on the board of All our Relations Land Trust (a charitable organization led by Indigenous Peoples who are committed to supporting and restoring diverse ecosystems within the greater Katarokwi area) and as well as with the Kenhtè:ke Paranormal Society, an Indigenous-led historical research team supporting the One Dish Project and food sovereignty in Kenhtè:ke.
Natasha is constantly amazed at the talent that surrounds her at the IACC and is excited to use her marketing and design background to advance the work of the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada and to help member artists reach their business and marketing goals.
Charrine Lace
West Coast Liasón
Artist, Morricetown First Nation
artist
Charrine Naziel-Lace is a Northwest Coast Indian Arts and Crafts Professional, carver, and illustrator.
A member of the Moricetown First Nation in the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, Charrine has 20 years of experience in the First Nations Art Industry. A graduate of the Ksan Carving School, BC and Gitanmaax (Kitanmax) School of Northwest Coast Indian Art, Charrine has built on old art traditions while studying in the styles and techniques of master carvers and artists. She is also a graduate of Cowansville Vocational Education Training Centre, Cowansville, QC where she became proficient in design and layout.
Works to her credit include the design of the Moricetown First Nations Flag and illustrations for the Wet\'suwet\'en Children\'s First Language book series, which included \"The Pink and Sockeye Salmon\", a story about bullying.
Charrine is owner of Wet'suwet'en Native Arts in Morricetown, B.C. She is passionate about working in the Northwest Coast Indian style and is very excited to promote west coast art with our AACC programs.