Portrait Gallery Updated

Portrait gallery has been updated. 

Lynne (June 2017). My close friendships are a very tight circle, but they run deep. Few people know me better than this lovely woman. What started as a work arrangement has ended up being a lasting friendship spanning almost twenty years. With all portraits, I try to capture a bit of the subject's essence as I see them. Within her beautiful backyard garden, I wanted to capture Lynne in a moment of reflection. For this is how we met (she was creating an award-winning family history book) and how she has helped me throughout the years since.

Self-portrait (June 2017). Darkness and light. 

Summer in Manitoba

Manitoba's Interlake region is a geographic corridor between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba in which a number of historic and scenic sights are located for tourist exploration. While on a recent visit to my home province, a good friend and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and embarked on a day trip to visit some of those hotspots. It started with a legendary hot dog and ended with an eerie, allegedly haunted church. 

Skinner's is a Manitoba institution and welcomes visitors at the gateway to the Interlake. I can attest to the fact that their hot dogs are delicious but the ice cream is also worth the drive as well. 

Lower Fort Garry is a National Historic Site built in 1830 by the Hudson's Bay Company. In addition to being a centre of commerce and trade, it was also the location in which Treaty No. 1 was established between the federal government and seven First Nations chiefs marking the birth of modern Manitoba. 

During the summer, actors recreate life as it would have been during colonial times. 

Gimli is one of the most beautiful towns in Manitoba. Situated on Lake Winnipeg in the heart of the Interlake, Gimli was traditionally settled by Icelandic immigrants, of which the culture and language is still maintained today. 

The "haunted" St. Andrews Church. My father shared a story of this place on several occasions, the details of which never altered. Either he had a really good memory for random tall tales he scared his kid with or there is something more to the church's legend. 

Book Recommendations

The Reason You Walk
Written by Wab Kinew

Being Canadian, I feel shame in how little knowledge I have about Indigenous culture. Yes, I received the mandated (edited) version of history in school but beyond that have not really delved deeper into the hardship that this community has faced as a result of colonialism. That changed a few years ago when I accepted a position at a post-secondary institute that has a strong commitment to Indigenous success. Through this role, I have had the privilege to hear many powerful stories on the subject which has given me the desire to listen more. This book adds another voice to those stories. It is an incredibly poignant memoir that shares the horrors of the residential school system and its after-effects; the transformative power of reconciliation; and what it's like to fight for Indigenous rights in the Idle No More age. I was incredibly moved by the final section ("Giiwekwaadizid"), as well as the inclusion of traditional language. Wab has the power to connect with an audience, which may bring him successfully to the political stage in the future. 

Favourite line: "Reconciliation is realized when two people come together and understand that what they share unites them and that what is different about them needs to be respected."

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The Canadaland Guide to Canada
Written by Jesse Brown

This book juxtaposes fact with irreverence becoming a completely hilarious "exposé" on what the great white north is really about. Author Jesse Brown is a journalist that runs the Canadaland website and podcast, and was formerly most well-known for his investigative work on breaking the Jian Ghomeshi case. In "The Canadaland Guide to Canada", he explores our history, culture, politics and everything in between prodding the reader to contemplate and question our reputation of being a polite, tolerant nation (for example, Canada's Indian Act was the inspiration for South Africa's apartheid policy). My current residence was suspiciously (perhaps thankfully) omitted from mention but my hometown of Winnipeg had several shout-outs. Highly recommended. 

Favourite line: "...there is not one person in Manitoba you want to see naked."

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Posh Rice
Written by Emily Kydd

Rice has become one of the main staples of my diet. I love its nutritional value, ease of cooking and remarkable versatility. This book showcases over 70 easy-to-follow, illustrated recipes to switch the simple grain up from side dishes to mains to desserts and treats. I've already explored a number of them – all tasty – including this one pot jambalaya I made (pictured below). Excellent reference for someone just starting out (like moi) or for those looking to diversify usage of ingredients already found in the kitchen. 

One pot jambalaya, a delicious creole hotchpotch of rice, chicken breast, chorizo sausage, onion, green onion, celery, red pepper, green pepper, garlic, thyme and cajun spice. 

Throwback

Throwback to when I was three-years-old and looked like Justin Bieber. 

Recommended: Instagram Artists

Growing up, there weren't a lot of avenues to express myself as a budding artist. The internet was in its infancy and social media was a good decade away. Rather, my "audience" consisted of those who sat next to me in class and teachers who took notice of the ever more elaborate doodles that accompanied my homework assignments. This is all it took at the time though; those same individuals were the ones to guide me into a profession that would best allow my talent to flourish. 

Today, Instagram is the perfect tool to build that base to exposure. I often marvel at the work I encounter on it. In between food porn, memes and pictures of adorable puppies, my Instagram feed is also full of doodle art by upcoming female illustrators. They are inspiring in their honesty. vulnerability and skill to narrate visually what it's like to be a single, modern female during an era where we STILL have to fight for equality (and also fend off fuckboys). I admire their hustle in using social platforms to build a following and a business. I feel like the next Lynda Barry is just getting started here. 

I recommend the following:

@marcella.draws:

@natdelvillar:

@joannathangiah:

@adrianamanhattan:

@vicscribs:

@randomactsofbrie:

Philando Castile

One summer evening last year, I was scrolling through my social media feed and came across a tweet by a prominent hometown journalist that stated simply: "this is actually happening right now". A video was linked and the curious side of me decided to take a breather from the rest of the noise and watch whatever was happening in real time. It turned out to be the Philando Castile Facebook Live video. 

I couldn't quite comprehend what was going on and I wasn't entirely certain at first that what was happening before me wasn't a movie clip or some other form of staged "entertainment". I didn't want to believe I was watching someone get murdered right before my eyes. But it was real. Philando Castile's murder by the hands of a Minneapolis police officer was captured on film and broadcast to the world. 

It happened just one day after the murder of another black man, Alton Sterling, also at the hands of a police officer in the United States of America. Amateur video of this was also shared with media. They weren't the only ones, of course; from inception, America's history is inseparable from racism. It is a country that touts rights and freedom for all, but erects invisible barriers to limit it for some.

Prior to today, the officers involved in the Alton Sterling shooting faced no charges. Despite there being video and eyewitness accounts. 

Today, the police officer involved in the Philando Castile case was cleared of all charges. Despite there being video and eyewitness accounts. 

This is an act of injustice. Nothing but systemic racism will be accepted by me as the reason this man died. 

In skimming over the CNN.com homepage this evening, I notice that this is not the feature article but rather a subhead lost amidst all of Trump's many scandals. As I watch my nation's evening newscast, there is no mention of it at all. Granted I'm in Canada but if I can hear about Michael Phelps upcoming race against a shark, surely a verdict in a previously well-publicized, highly political, highly relevant story such as this one merits inclusion.

Unfortunately, for anyone black living in America that absence of coverage hangs as a "to be continued". 

Father's Day

I originally had something much lengthier written. I could write for hours as the words flow through me by way of his muse. I was going to share how he still visits me. Still protects me. Still delivers me signs that there is more to life and death than we could ever comprehend.

But I don't want people to think I'm crazy.

To think that I am making stuff up to make my writing more dramatic or engaging. For even I am not that imaginative. 

But the bigger reason may be because I don't want to share. In a world where most just survive their days, I want to hold this bit of magic close to my heart as a secret only I and his spirit know.

He visits me still.

He protects me still.

The power of love is unbound. 

Prix D'Excellence

Very proud for the continued success of the team I have the opportunity to work with. We recently picked up another award, The Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) Silver Prix D'Excellence for Best PR/Marketing/Communications Initiative for "Catch Your Career Dream", a campaign promoting Indigenous student success stories. The campaign included a wall calendar, social media component and web presence. My role was art/creative direction and design. 

Guided by the principles of reconciliation and a goal to create long-term positive change, the indigenization efforts of the organization I work for holistically integrate Indigenous ways of knowing, teaching and learning into practices, procedures and services. Indigenization is our social and collective responsibility and it enriches and benefits all aspects of our institutional culture.

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Lavender Cookies 🇫🇷

Throughout my travels, I've had the opportunity to try many new foods and unique flavour combinations. One country in particular has really opened my eyes and palette to a new world of culinary possibilities: birthplace of Le Cordon Bleu, France. 

France has not only mastered taste, but also visual presentation. It is a feast for the eyes as well as the tongue. A plated dinner is a work of art that elicits a gasp; walking into a French bakery is sensory overload with beautiful, unexpected bursts of colour hinting at the explosion of flavour to follow. Now that I'm learning to cook and bake, I want to bring this experience to my own kitchen. 

I recently put this into practice by baking dark chocolate lavender cookies. France incorporates a number of floral notes into its cuisine and while some are an acquired taste – I've had a rose spread from Versailles that has lingered, for the most part unused, in my cupboard since forever – lavender paired with rich dark chocolate makes for a heavenly, decadent dessert. Primarily cultivated in the Provence region of the country, the herb is a member of the mint family and adds a sweet, citrusy note to cooking. 

I scoured the internet for a recipe to use as a base and then modified according to my own preferences (bit more chocolate and of a richer variety; slightly less lavender as I didn't want it to overpower). One bite of the finished product and I was transported right back to the banks of the River Seine. Enjoy!

Ingredients: 
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 tbsp red dutch process cocoa powder
• 4 tbsp lavender buds
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large omega-3 eggs
• 2 1/2 tsp organic Madagascan vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups 70% dark chocolate chips
• powdered sugar for presentation

1. Lightly crush lavender buds.

2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and lavender. Stir until mixed well. 

3.  In a large-sized bowl, whisk softened butter with brown and granulated sugars. Add eggs and vanilla extract and then whisk more until it develops a creamy texture. 

4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. Add dark chocolate and mix until blended. 

5. Let stand in refrigerator for 24 hours for flavours to settle. 

6. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking tray with tinfoil and then scoop approximately 12 balls on top. Bake for 12 minutes. Repeat until all dough is used (should make approximately two dozen cookies). Sprinkle with powdered sugar for presentation.