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Red Works Photography

@_redworks

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Empowering contemporary Indigenous lifestyles/cultures, Red Works specializes in natural light portrait +event photography.

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Last week was quite emotional. Upon arriving in Calgary for a photography conference, and after attending an evening meet/greet with fellow photographers, I received word late that night that family back home were evacuating the homelands due to wildfires. I contemplated not doing the two presentations I was scheduled to deliver but went ahead with both sessions.

My thoughts were with family back home as I spoke to a room full of photographers about my Red Works (@_redworks) journey. I believe both presentations I gave were of the most articulate and heartfelt talks I've ever delivered. I felt my mamma-bear Gina Kwandibens, auntie Elsie Kwandibens, uncle Ignace "Iggy" Kwandibens, and my twin brother Nazareth with me as I told my story, at times with tears in my eyes. I'm glad I went through with it; I have an important story to tell. Many came to me afterwards feeling emotional and hugs were shared.

Miigwech to the Canadian Photography Conference / CAPA Canadian Association for Photographic Art (@capacanada) for the invite to speak to fellow artists / photographers. I also met a fellow Canon Ambassador John E. Marriott (@johnemarriott) and Canon Canada (@canoncanada) employee who I've corresponded with so many times. It was great to meet them in-person!

📷: Suneel Mistry (@mistrysuneel) by @_redworks

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2 months ago

CCIB would like to sincerely thank all attendees, sponsors, speakers, performers, presenters, and Indigenous vendors who joined us at yesterday's sold-out Central Business Forum & Awards Dinner. We are truly inspired by you all and deeply appreciate your assistance in making this year’s event a huge success and an important step forward in economic reconciliation.

Our hearts are full, and we are deeply honoured and grateful that you are a part of our thriving network.

We'd also like to extend a special thanks to @_redworks for the incredible photography work!

#ccib #indigenousexcellence #indigenousbusiness #indigenousentrerpreneurs #economicreconciliation by @_redworks

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7 months ago

Following the Central Business Forum, the evening celebration opened with a vibrant performance by the Buffalo Charging Singers, filling the room with cultural pride and energy.

The evening was guided by Elder Amy Desjarlais of Wasauksing First Nation, Chief Margaret Ann Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and host Waneek Horn-Miller, Vice President of Innovation and Client Relations at Indigenous Financial Solutions. A highlight was the commanding performance of three‑time JUNO‑nominated artist Shawnee Kish.

Representing the dinner sponsor, Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Jessica Perritt, Director of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, shared reflections on partnership and reconciliation. Tabatha Bull, CCIB President and CEO, acknowledged the achievements and impact of Indigenous businesses driving growth and opportunity across Canada.

Sponsor remarks were delivered by Myan Marcen‑Gaudaur of Scotiabank, highlighting Indigenous leadership. The Indigenous Business Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sean Willy, President and CEO of Des Nedhe Group, recognizing nearly 30 years advancing Indigenous economic inclusion and bridging communities with corporate Canada.

The Young Indigenous Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by EY, was presented by Sonya Fraser to Darion Ducharme, Founder and CEO of Teqare. A member of Lac Seul First Nation, Ducharme founded Teqare in 2021 to provide training in digital literacy, cybersecurity, financial life skills, and AI education. Special thanks were given to Kennedy Cameron, an emerging artist responsible for the drum art featured in the event photos.

Thank you to @_redworks for the beautiful photography.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate Indigenous excellence, innovation, and leadership. by @_redworks

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7 months ago

We need to thank all of the singers and backup singers for bringing that good energy to the Murray Sinclair Memorial Round Dance on Friday, January 23, 2026. We also need to thank the wonderful Nadya Kwandibens of @_redworks for these beautiful photos! taken in RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg by @_redworks

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8 months ago

Big thanks to our partners for the first annual Murray Sinclair Memorial Round Dance along with the incredible Nadya Kwandibens of @_redworks, who captured these beautiful moments! by @_redworks

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8 months ago

This was the first year of a four year commitment to hosting a memorial round dance for the late Murray Sinclair. Big thanks to Nadya Kwandibens of @_redworks for these beautiful photos! by @_redworks

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8 months ago

We gathered to honour the memory of a great man and lots of people stepped up to help. Big thanks to the incredible Nadya Kwandibens of @_redworks for these beautiful photos! by @_redworks

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8 months ago

The Red Chair Sessions
Don Smoke, Gekinoomaagenh Mukwa, Anishinaabe from Alderville First Nation. Photographed on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, January 27, 2024.

#RedChairRedWorks #RemembranceDay #WWII #Veterans #Indigenous #IndigenousLand #ThisIsIndigenousLand taken in Alderville First Nation by @_redworks

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a year ago

Browsing through my archives today in preparation for my artist talk at MOCA Toronto (@mocatoronto) tomorrow! My presentation spans 20 years of portrait and event photography, zig zag zip zipping across Turtle Island.

"Kwandibens will discuss her powerful portrait practice and how photography can become a space for dialogue, visibility, and cultural resilience.⁠"

𝗡𝗢𝗩. 𝟭, 𝟭𝟭:𝟬𝟬 - 𝟭𝟮:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺
158 Sterling Rd, Toronto

🎟️ Tickets include museum admission, 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗜𝗢.

#MOCAToronto #MOCA #ContemporaryPhotography #IndigenousPhotography #TorontoArts #RedWorks #NadyaKwandibens taken in MOCA Toronto by @_redworks

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a year ago

📣 Join us Saturday, November 1 at 11 am for an artist talk with Anishinaabe photographer Nadya Kwandibens.⁠
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Kwandibens will discuss her powerful portrait practice and how photography can become a space for dialogue, visibility, and cultural resilience.⁠
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Presented in conjunction with “Jeff Wall Photographs 1984–2023,” the talk invites us to consider how artists work with ideas of presence, history, and community.⁠
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🎟️ Tickets include museum admission. Reserve your spot from our link in bio. ⁠
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📷 Santee Smith of Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, Cove Forest, North Vancouver, BC, March 2015⁠
Ascension Harjo, Na-Me-Res Pow Wow, Toronto, ON, June 2017⁠
27th Annual Women’s Memorial March, Vancouver, BC, February 2017⁠
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#MOCAToronto #MOCA #ContemporaryPhotography #IndigenousPhotography #TorontoArts⁠
⁠ by @_redworks

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a year ago

The Kwe Performance Series: Voices set the TD Music Hall ablaze on March 22, 2025, in a thunderous celebration of Indigenous women and gender-marginalized artists. The stage came alive with the raw power and presence of featured artists Mare Advertencia, Bobby Sanchez, Dioganhdih, and Kimiwan, whose performances roared with resilience and truth. Each artist wove together personal history, cultural memory, and bold activism, turning every lyric, beat, and breath into a force of resistance and renewal. Themes of empowerment, gender, and community pulsed through every word and rhythm, transforming the evening into a celebration of survival and strength.

Echoing the power and emotion of every moment was captured through the lens of celebrated, award-winning photographer, Canon Ambassador, Photo Laureate for the City of Toronto, Red Works Photography founder Nadya Kwandibens.

Niawen’kó:wa for an unforgettable night. See you at the next Kwe Performance Series. taken in TD Music Hall by @_redworks

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a year ago

Please join me this Saturday 𝗠𝗔𝗬 𝟯 for the opening reception of 𝗕𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗪𝗜 (He or She Stands Quietly / Still), my solo exhibition at the Riverdale Hub Gallery (@theriverdalehub) during CONTACT Photography Festival (@contactphoto)!

𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦:
The Riverdale Hub
1326 Gerrard St. E.
2-4PM, artist talk 3PM
𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣 🔗 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗜𝗢

𝗕𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗪𝗜 invites viewers to pause and explore the quiet moments throughout my travels across Turtle Island. This special collection of images spans from the beginning of my career in January of 2007 to March 2025. The title for this show is of significance because, just as those photographed stand quietly, so too does it require that we stand still in solitude while viewing the exhibition. Biizaanigaabawi is an Anishinaabemowin word that translates to he or she stands quietly and/or still.

#RiverdaleHubGallery #ContactPhoto #CanonFrameLab #RedWorksPhotography #CanonCanada @canoncanada #CanonAmbassador #Toronto @cityofto #TorontoPhotoLaureate @culture_to #Indigenous #IndigenousArt #NadyaKwandibens taken in Riverdale Hub by @_redworks

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a year ago