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Meet multidisciplinary artist and land-based educator Melaw Nakehk'o. Based in Yellowknife, she is originally from Łíídlıı Kųę, the Dene Zhatié name for Fort Simpson, located in the Dehcho region of Canada’s Northwest Territories.

For Nakehk'o, the land is more than a setting: it is a living presence that informs and shapes her work. Whether through sculpture, painting or film, her work shares teachings about survival, family and community connections, as well as respect for the land. She spent decades leading hide-tanning camps, moccasin workshops and land-based education initiatives, and she played a crucial role in revitalizing Dene cultural practices.

Nakehk'o approaches art not as a static act of representation but as a living, relational process. Working with soft sculpture, painting, installations, film and digital media, her art explores sovereignty, language, spirituality and community. She brings together knowledge and traditions that have continued despite the lasting impacts of colonialism. Through her work, she expresses culture while supporting its revival, showing that art is deeply connected to the land, identity and responsibility.

Through exhibitions, film festivals, public art commissions, and collaborations across local and international contexts, Nakehk'o’s work has been presented in venues ranging from northern community galleries to major exhibitions in Montreal, Venice, Greenland, and Toronto, reflecting the broad resonance of her practice. She has received recognition through film festival honours and cultural achievement awards.

Melaw Nakehk'o is shortlisted for the 2026 Sobey Art Award, one of the most generous prizes for contemporary artists in the world. @natgallerycan

Photo credit: Angela Gzowski by @gcindigenous

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5 days ago

“People are returning to language, culture, and our ways. That's what communities are asking for.”

Tom Dearhouse has dedicated more than 25 years to supporting the well-being of Indigenous communities through cultural knowledge, lived experience, and trauma-informed care.

Of Mohawk and Ojibwe ancestry from Garden River, Ontario, and a member of the Bear Clan family, Tom draws on traditional teachings to support individuals and families on their healing journeys.

Throughout his career, Tom has served Indigenous communities in many roles, including as a Band Council Chief, social worker and Cultural Support Worker.

His experience helps him support people affected by trauma, grief, addiction, and the ongoing impacts of Indian Residential Schools and Day Schools.

For the past nine years, he has focused on trauma-informed cultural support, bringing language, ceremony, cultural teachings, and community connection into the healing process.

A strong advocate for residential school Survivors and their families, Tom continues to support healing and cultural renewal through his work.

#Reconciliation #MentalHealth #IndigenousHealth Tom Dearhouse with long hair wearing a blue vest and a turquoise beaded necklace over a plaid shirt. by @gcindigenous

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13 days ago

The way we talk about tuberculosis (TB) can make a real difference. Reducing TB stigma and offering support are key to improving TB outcomes.

Dr. Evan Adams, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the First Nations Health Authority and a member of the Tla’amin First Nation, discusses the importance of overcoming stigma through compassionate TB care.

Have questions about TB or need TB support? Ask a health care provider for help. You don’t have to face TB alone.

@fnha

#IndigenousHealth by @gcindigenous

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16 days ago

Denying, distorting or minimizing the history and lived experiences of Survivors of Residential Schools causes harm and threatens the work of truth and reconciliation.

Ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Minister Rebecca Alty speaks out about the importance of supporting public education and awareness.

On September 30, we have a responsibility to stand with Survivors in honouring the truth.
We remember. We listen. We continue the work. by @gcindigenous

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17 days ago

Myron Cook is the Director of Indigenous Food Sovereignty at Food Matters Manitoba, originally from Barren Lands First Nation. He works with northern communities to support harvesters, strengthen local food systems, and reconnect youth and Elders through land-based teachings.
For Myron, food sovereignty is about more than access to food; it’s identity, culture, and connection to the land.

But he also sees growing barriers: rising costs, limited access to equipment, and the impacts of climate change on hunting and fishing areas. These challenges are making it harder for families to stay connected to the land and maintain knowledge passed down through generations.
Myron focuses on supporting communities to rebuild those connections through advocacy, awareness, and learning from Elders.

For him, this work is about more than food. It’s about protecting a way of life for future generations. by @gcindigenous

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a month ago

Karen Fleet is the Provincial Gardener supporting First Nations communities across Manitoba. Métis and originally from Winnipeg, she works with communities on gardening, greenhouse growing, and sustainable food practices.

For Karen, food security starts with the land and how it’s cared for. She focuses on methods like composting, no-till gardening, and soil stewardship that support long-term sustainability.

She also emphasizes reconnecting with Traditional Knowledge, from root cellars to food preservation practices that have supported communities for generations.

For Karen, food sovereignty is about more than growing food; it’s about culture, knowledge, and working together to care for the land. by @gcindigenous

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2 months ago

“Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being,” was the theme for this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9.
Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture (1890-1996), a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) woman from Six Nations of the Grand River (ON), broke barriers at a time when Indigenous women faced widespread discrimination. Denied entry to nursing schools in Ontario because she was Indigenous, she pursued her education in New York and became one of the first professionally trained First Nations nurses in Canada. 👩‍⚕️

Nurse, Veteran, Midwife 💜
In 1917, she enlisted in the American Expeditionary Force and served during the First World War, caring for wounded soldiers in France. Following her service, she became one of the first First Nations women granted the right to vote in Canada under the Military Voters Act. 🗳️
After returning home to Six Nations, Edith dedicated her life to caring for her community as a nurse and midwife, paving the way for future generations of Indigenous healthcare professionals. That included her daughter, Helen Monture Moses, who became a nurse and founding member of the Registered Nurses of Canadian Indian Ancestry (now the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association).
In 2025, Edith Monture was recognized as a National Historic Person of Canada. We honour her resilience, leadership, and lasting impact on health care and Indigenous rights. ✨

#IndigenousHealth
#IndigenousMidwives
#IndigenousWomen
#NationalHistoricPersons
#WeAreIndigenous
#IndigenousPeoplesDay
@cina.nurses

Photo 1: © Six Nations Public Library / Donald D. Lynch Collection / SNPL000308v00i
Photo 2: © Six Nations Public Library / Donald D. Lynch Collection / SNPL000132v00i
Photo 3: © Six Nations Public Library / Donald D. Lynch Collection / SNPL000312v00i Black and white portrait of a young woman in early 1900s clothing, with a high-collared blouse and hair tied back, looking to the side.
Photo of Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture taken in Brantford, Ontario, circa 1910. Picture may have been taken when she graduated from high school.
© Six Nations Public Library / Donald D. Lynch Collection / SNPL000308v00i by @gcindigenous

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2 months ago

We are honoured to introduce Elaine Kicknosway, a traditional helper from Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, and is Wolf Clan.
A Sixties Scoop survivor, she was raised in foster care and adopted into a non-Indigenous family before finding her way back, and has been a long-time community advocate for child welfare, MMIW2SG, and Indigenous wellness.
She is currently offering services at Minwaashin Lodge, using her expertise as an Indigenous trauma-informed Counsellor, a blanket exercise facilitator and trainer, an Indigenous full spectrum doula, and an Indigenous Death Doula to support Indigenous women who need it.
In addition to her other commitments, she finds time to be a traditional dancer, singer, and drummer. She is also the cofounder of The Sixties Scoop Network and a carrier of ceremonial teachings.

“We were raised separate and isolated. Today we are the leaders, the helpers, the ceremonies conductors, the lawyers, the ongoing growing up into becoming the olders and elders. We carry intergenerational knowledge and brilliance. You are loved, you are needed, you belong, you carry importance and you carry the truth. You are not alone. ‘Not the only one.’“ by @gcindigenous

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2 months ago

Maryssa Halkett is a Project Coordinator with the Harvester Program at Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. She helps support northern First Nations in strengthening local food systems and harvesting practices.

She sees how rising food costs, limited availability, and environmental changes continue to impact families and access to traditional foods in many communities.

At the same time, communities continue to support one another, sharing knowledge, harvesting food, and finding ways to provide.

For Maryssa, stronger community infrastructure and spaces for Elders to pass on knowledge are essential for future generations to thrive.

@mko_north by @gcindigenous

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2 months ago

Meet Chief Christine Longjohn, a proud Cree leader of Sturgeon Lake First Nation, a Treaty 6 Nation located northwest of Prince Albert (SK). She’s known for her commitment to community growth, cultural preservation, and strengthening opportunities for future generations. 🌟

Interesting facts:
🔹 Re-elected in 2025 for a second term as Chief, reflecting the trust and confidence of her community.
🔹 Played a leadership role in major community initiatives, including infrastructure improvements, economic development projects, and the creation of a new birthing and childrearing lodge in the community.
🔹 Advocates for environmental stewardship; she has spoken out on land and forestry issues affecting Indigenous territories.
🔹 In 2026, she represented Treaty 6 Nations at Buckingham Palace, where she met King Charles and emphasized the enduring importance of Treaty relationships for future generations. She invited the King to join the community for the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6 later this year.
🔹 Oversees a wide range of community portfolios, including economic development, child and family services, health initiatives, and cultural projects.

Chief Longjohn leads with humility, heart, and a deep commitment to her people, helping build a strong and thriving Nation while honouring the wisdom of Elders and the strength of community. 🪶 ✨ Indigenous woman wearing traditional beadwork necklace and holding a feathered headdress against a gray background.
Photo: Courtesy of Chief Longjohn by @gcindigenous

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2 months ago

For Atrayu Johnny, a member of Lytton First Nation, water stewardship is both a science and a responsibility.

As Water Monitoring Team Lead for K’en T’em Limited Partnership at Highland Valley Copper, he’s spent the past five years leading a team of 6–8 technicians, supporting high-quality water monitoring that helps protect the environment and community well-being.

Grounded in Nlaka’pamux teachings, Atrayu sees this work as both a scientific responsibility and a cultural duty. He takes pride in mentoring his team, building capacity, and fostering a strong culture of accountability, safety, and pride.

Reflecting on his work, Atrayu shared: “Our ancestors taught us to care for tmixʷ, the living world of land, water, plants, animals, and the relationships that sustain life. Water is at the heart of tmixʷ. Protecting it means protecting our culture, our territory, and the future of the nłeʔképmx people.”

Atrayu Johnny was nominated for the 2026 National First Nations Water Leadership Award, recognized for his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to protecting water for current and future generations. by @gcindigenous

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2 months ago

The Water and Wastewater Operations Team of Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation has come a long way.

What started as a one-person operation managing a pump house under a long-term drinking water advisory has grown into a dedicated team now overseeing a water tower and treatment plant in operation since 2021.

Through innovation and continuous improvement, they’ve strengthened the system, built technical capacity, and supported source water protection.

Just as importantly, they’re sharing knowledge, supporting training, and working closely with the community to rebuild trust and confidence in the water system.

This team nomination recognizes Chris Garcia, Jonathan LaRocca, Kent Stephens, Scott Wylie, Josh Janiga, Matthew Nielsen, and Blair Scott for their collective leadership and commitment to safe, reliable drinking water. by @gcindigenous

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2 months ago