Speplól Tanya Zilinski 

Tanya Zilinski, beadwork, beader, dreamcatcher, crafts, Indigenous Artist, First Nations, Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada, Pass The Feather

Speplól Tanya Zilinski

Speplól Tanya Zilinski

Anishinaabe, Manitoba

Tanya is an Anishinaabe artist, of  Aggaamaakwaa Manitoba and is a member of The Red River Nation with family and ancestral ties to Dakota, Cree, Anishinaabe and Huron Wendat Nations throughout Turtle Island's Plains and Great Lakes regions on their mother’s side and is Ukrainian on their father’s side. One of their traditional names is Speplól, which means Little Crow and was a name given to them at the age of fourteen. 

Tanya-Profile

They were born on Ts'qó:ls, which is the Halq'eméylem name for what is known to settlers today as “Hope, B.C”. Their medium is traditional Indigenous loom beadwork and the retelling of oral stories and teachings through patterns laid out on beadwork tapestries. They were taught to loom bead at 15 years old by an Elder in their community at Chawathil First Nation. Speplól has developed methods and techniques for creating large loom beaded tapestries made from tiny glass seed beads to pass down cultural knowledge of both Anishinaabe and Stó:lō cultures to their six children and future generations.  

 Speplól is connected to the Stó:lō community in the Teltíyt Tribe area through unification of the last 31 years, six children, and grandchildren. They have both training and permissions to teach the language and culture of the Upper River Stó:lō people and is a certified teacher of the BCTF currently teaching the language and culture for School District 78 Fraser Cascade. 

Artist Statement

Exploration of cultural identity. This is how my voyage with loom beading tapestries emerged. Colour, materials and textures are guided by spirit; my hands flow with direction of that which cannot be seen but is there in celestial essence and in my reality. 

I use traditional loom beadwork for the purpose of passing on cultural knowledge, language, oral stories, for a spiritual connection to my Ancestors and as a daily tincture to cure the body and mind. I have developed my own methods and techniques through experimentation for creating large loom beaded tapestries that unite two cultures, complimenting one another, for the next seven generations and beyond of community and family. I am at oneness while I am creating, and this process has gifted me a new perspective on life. It is with great gratitude I acknowledge this canoe journey has guided me to a good place and the Ancestors will continue paddling alongside me to help me navigate through the waters. 

CV

Upcoming solo exhibition at Massy Art Gallery Vancouver June 5 – Aug 8, 2024 

A Canoe is an Island group exhibition, Gachet Gallery Vancouver Feb 2 to March 22, 2024 

Our Home on Native Land group exhibition. CityScape Gallery, North Van from Sept 2023 to Nov 2023 

O:xwest kw’e Shxweli la ye Mestiyexw (Giving Spirit to the people) Solo exhibition. The Reach Gallery Museum, Abbostsford, BC from Sept 2022 to January 2023. 

S’iwes te Siyelyolexwalh (Teachings From our Ancestors) Solo exhibition. The Ranger Station Gallery, Harrison Hot Springs, BC From April 2022 to May 2022 

Bead by Bead group exhibition. Meteque Atelier D’Art, Montreal, Quebec from November 2020 to Jan 2021 

Commissions...

November 2022 -Commission for seven loom beaded tapestry artworks. Seabird Island Band cultural center.

December 2021 -Commission for loom beaded tapestry. Ground Wood Books, My Name is Seepeetza 30th Anniversary Edition book cover.

Buy their work...

Please visit Little Crow Beading and Dreamcatchers on IndigenARTSY to purchase Tanya's work, or contact them for any inquiries.

Membership Identification Status