I Am Indigenous

My Indigeneity is woven into my identity, going all the way back to my ancestors, whose spirit I carry in my heart. I am proud of who I am.

Featuring illustrations by Aedan Corey, Emily Côté, Lynne Hardy, Emma Hassencahl-Perley, Aaron Kaleinani Kai, Soni López-Chávez, Kelsey Mata Foote, Lannie McCullough, Onedove, Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, Madeson Singh-Whiteknife, Jordan Stranger and Kameron White.

With mindful affirmations and stunning artwork, I Am Indigenous is a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be Indigenous. Powerful statements honor the richness of Indigenous experiences, showing how strength can be found in identity, inclusivity and respect, while acknowledging the vast variety of languages, territories, appearances, family structures, cultures and traditions. Each illustration was created by a different Indigenous artist, showing unique, personal expressions that highlight the diversity of Indigeneity in North America.

Available in French as Je suis Autochtone.

Anne Tenning is a member of the Stz'uminus First Nation on Vancouver Island and is of Coast Salish, European and Japanese ancestry. Anne worked as an educator for over twenty-six years and is currently the Director of Indigenous Education in the Campbell River School District. In 2008 Anne received the Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2015 she was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for the Faculty of Education at the University of Victoria. Anne is currently a PhD student at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. She currently lives on the territories of the Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ people with her husband and their cat.

Aedan ᐅᕕᓗᖅ Corey is a writer, visual artist, Inuit tattooist and emerging curator from Iqaluktuuttiaq, Nunavut. They are the author and illustrator of the chapbooks Kinauvunga?, Inuujunga and the short story Unikkaannguaq. Aedan began creating art at a young age and their work is heavily inspired by their lived experience. Their goal is always to inspire and advocate for those within their communities through their artistic practices. Aedan currently resides in Ottawa on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation with their partner and their two pets.

Emily Côté is an illustrator originally from Windsor, Ontario. She has a unique perspective on art due to her education in both fine art and illustration. Since discovering her Métis connection, she has been learning more about Indigenous culture through art. Emily uses narrative art to highlight our inherent connection with nature. She loves working digitally while also incorporating traditional media such as watercolor and colored pencil. At home, she has many houseplants as a way to bring the green indoors. In her free time, she enjoys drinking tea and walking on trails―touching moss and looking for wildlife, mushrooms and wildflowers!

Lynne Hardy is an illustrator whose mediums are digital drawing and painting, created in Adobe Fresco. She describes her work as colorful with modern depictions of her Navajo people and culture. She gains inspiration from her ancestors and wishes to preserve their stories. At the heart of her work is authenticity, Native representation and inclusion as she hopes to share her culture and stop harmful Native stereotypes. In 2020 she launched her small online business, Ajoobaasani, which sells Navajo products like stickers, prints and apparel. The launch of Ajoobaasani has led to opportunities to work with Native-led organizations and companies that need Native art, allowing her to become a full-time illustrator. Lynne lives in Utah.

Emma Hassencahl-Perley is a Wolastoqey visual artist and curator from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) in New Brunswick. She maintains a visual art practice focusing on painting, murals, beadwork and digital illustration. Emma’s artwork reflects her identity as an ehpit (woman) and a Wolastoqiyik citizen of the Wabanaki Confederacy. Her artistic themes explore water, the cosmos, Wabanaki feminisms and the Wabanaki double-curve motif, symbolizing life cycles and relationships, including nationhood and community. These motifs serve as both a cultural and aesthetic foundation in Emma’s practice, connecting ancestral Wabanaki material culture with contemporary digital storytelling techniques.