Lisa Shepherd is a renowned Métis artist and knowledge carrier
Although she currently lives on the West Coast, Lisa's artwork is on display throughout Canada and around the world, and her role as knowledge carrier is acknowledged as important to the preservation and revitalization of the Métis culture.
This page attempts to capture the many projects and collaborations Lisa is involved with each year. You'll find information about some of Lisa's favourite projects, some organizations and individuals who have recently commissioned her work, some distinctions she's received as artist and educator, and where she and her artwork has been featured in news or academic articles.
[Tip: Click on the + for each heading below to expand that section for more details.]
You can find information about the exhibits where Lisa's artwork has been featured in over the last decade ON THIS WEB PAGE.
Although she currently lives on the West Coast, Lisa's artwork is on display throughout Canada and around the world, and her role as knowledge carrier is acknowledged as important to the preservation and revitalization of the Métis culture.
This page attempts to capture the many projects and collaborations Lisa is involved with each year. You'll find information about some of Lisa's favourite projects, some organizations and individuals who have recently commissioned her work, some distinctions she's received as artist and educator, and where she and her artwork has been featured in news or academic articles.
[Tip: Click on the + for each heading below to expand that section for more details.]
You can find information about the exhibits where Lisa's artwork has been featured in over the last decade ON THIS WEB PAGE.
In the news: Special projects
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2021-current Beading Together - a Métis podcast. On Nov. 16, 2021, Lisa launched a new podcast she calls, Beading Together. Each episode Lisa welcomes a guest host and several guests to her virtual kitchen table to discuss all aspects of life through a Métis lens. From Birth to Death and everything in between, Beading Together is a way of being together while you bead, cook, garden, crochet, walk, or run! New episodes drop monthly – you can find them on Apple Podcasts.
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2021-current Monthly 'kehte ayak' segment on MéTV. In early spring 2021 Lisa was asked to host a segment on the new MéTV, a monthly one-hour news magazine show that touches on all aspects of Métis culture and people in BC. She suggested a 'kehte ayak' segment, where she could interview the 'old ones' and offer them the opportunity to share stories and wisdom. The first episode aired in May 2021. Full episodes can be viewed on Saturday evenings at 8pm (Pacific) on JoyTV, and online via the Métis British Columbia website or the JoyTV website.
2020-current Breathe. In April 2020, Lisa Shepherd and Nathalie Bertin co-created the "Breathe." project, which started out as a Facebook group inviting people around the world to connect around artistic mask making. Very soon the project garnered attention from local and international galleries and museums, and this project turned into a call-out for designs to be included in a collection for a travelling exhibition. The project is being featured in the media across North America, including:
2020-current Breathe. In April 2020, Lisa Shepherd and Nathalie Bertin co-created the "Breathe." project, which started out as a Facebook group inviting people around the world to connect around artistic mask making. Very soon the project garnered attention from local and international galleries and museums, and this project turned into a call-out for designs to be included in a collection for a travelling exhibition. The project is being featured in the media across North America, including:
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CBC Radio - Edmonton AM clip, July 14, 2021 - Breathe co-creators talk about the project and exhibit, opening at the Royal Alberta Museum today. CKUA - Radio interview, July 13, 2021 - Multi-disciplinary artists Nathalie Bertin and Lisa Shepherd are the co-creators of the breathe exhibition. They spoke with CKUA’s Scott Zielsdorf. CBC Arts article, March 12, 2021 - "10 Canadian heroes who have used arts and culture to help us through the pandemic" CBC Arts article and 5-minute video, June 11, 2020 - "These beaded masks are bringing together a whole new community to find healing" Galleries West article, Sept. 11, 2020 - "Breathe - Beading masks helps process feelings about the coronavirus pandemic" Atlas Obscura article, Sept. 15, 2020 - "Indigenous Artists Are Reclaiming Masks as a Source of Storytelling and Strength" Whispering Wind Magazine article, Sept. 2020 For more information about the history of the Breathe. project, see THIS WEB PAGE. For dates and locations of upcoming Breathe collection exhibitions, see THIS WEB PAGE. |
Layout from Whispering Wind Magazine article, Sept. 2020
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in the news: Recent Commissions & Acquisitions
Note: Some of these pieces are on display publicly. See THIS WEB PAGE for details.
2021 Three art pieces from the Métis Rose collaboration with Kristi Bridgeman. Commissioned by Fort Edmonton Park, Amiskwacîwâskahikan to be featured in a projection on the ceiling of the Métis Cabin in the new Indigenous Peoples Experiences signature exhibit. You can see a photo of part of the ceiling and read about the Métis Cabin in this Fort Edmonton Park blog post.
2021 Donning a Black Hat and Mask, multi-medium contemporary mask. Acquired by Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, ON) for display in their permanent collection.
2021 Lii Michif, contemporary art mask. Commissioned by Museum Natur und Mensch (Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany) and is now in their permanent collection. You can read about the piece and the story behind it on The Isolation Museum's website.
2020 Kitohcikan. Acquired by the Edmonton Public Library for the Indigenous art exhibit at the Stanley A. Milner branch.
2020 Tantoo, contemporary art mask. Commissioned by Tantoo Cardinal, internationally acclaimed Cree and Métis actor, who is also a Member of the Order of Canada, and has won a Gemini Award, the Earle Grey Award for lifetime achievement in Canadian television, a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, and a National Aboriginal Achievement Award. (Credit: List of Ms. Cardinal's achievements from The Canadian Encyclopedia.)
2020 Honour Mask. Acquired by the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Arts (Kansas, USA) for their permanent collection. You can read about the acquisition in this KC Studio article.
2020 Métis Trade Routes of the Pacific Northwest (British Columbia) 1806-1886, multi-medium collaborative artwork on exhibit. Acquired for the collection at Fort Langley National Historic Site.
2019 Baby’s Mossbag on exhibit. Commissioned for the permanent collection at Fort Langley National Historic Site.
2017 Featured Artist: Custom artwork on exhibit. BC Cancer Agency: Vancouver Centre, Victoria Centre & Centre for the North. You can read the news article on the BC Cancer Agency website.
2017 Two pairs of custom designed moccasins were commissioned for the Canadian movie, "Angelique's Isle."
2013 Custom beaded garments were commissioned by Disney for a television pilot, “Big Thunder.”
2012 Custom designed Baby’s Mossbag on exhibit. Acquired for the permanent collection of the Gabriel Dumont Institute Museum & Archives.
2021 Three art pieces from the Métis Rose collaboration with Kristi Bridgeman. Commissioned by Fort Edmonton Park, Amiskwacîwâskahikan to be featured in a projection on the ceiling of the Métis Cabin in the new Indigenous Peoples Experiences signature exhibit. You can see a photo of part of the ceiling and read about the Métis Cabin in this Fort Edmonton Park blog post.
2021 Donning a Black Hat and Mask, multi-medium contemporary mask. Acquired by Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, ON) for display in their permanent collection.
2021 Lii Michif, contemporary art mask. Commissioned by Museum Natur und Mensch (Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany) and is now in their permanent collection. You can read about the piece and the story behind it on The Isolation Museum's website.
2020 Kitohcikan. Acquired by the Edmonton Public Library for the Indigenous art exhibit at the Stanley A. Milner branch.
2020 Tantoo, contemporary art mask. Commissioned by Tantoo Cardinal, internationally acclaimed Cree and Métis actor, who is also a Member of the Order of Canada, and has won a Gemini Award, the Earle Grey Award for lifetime achievement in Canadian television, a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, and a National Aboriginal Achievement Award. (Credit: List of Ms. Cardinal's achievements from The Canadian Encyclopedia.)
2020 Honour Mask. Acquired by the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Arts (Kansas, USA) for their permanent collection. You can read about the acquisition in this KC Studio article.
2020 Métis Trade Routes of the Pacific Northwest (British Columbia) 1806-1886, multi-medium collaborative artwork on exhibit. Acquired for the collection at Fort Langley National Historic Site.
2019 Baby’s Mossbag on exhibit. Commissioned for the permanent collection at Fort Langley National Historic Site.
2017 Featured Artist: Custom artwork on exhibit. BC Cancer Agency: Vancouver Centre, Victoria Centre & Centre for the North. You can read the news article on the BC Cancer Agency website.
2017 Two pairs of custom designed moccasins were commissioned for the Canadian movie, "Angelique's Isle."
2013 Custom beaded garments were commissioned by Disney for a television pilot, “Big Thunder.”
2012 Custom designed Baby’s Mossbag on exhibit. Acquired for the permanent collection of the Gabriel Dumont Institute Museum & Archives.
In the news: Awards & Distinctions
2019 Canada Council for the Arts, Grant award for Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and Cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples
2019 First People’s Cultural Council, Peer Selection Committee, Adjudicator for art funding awards
2018 First People’s Cultural Council’s Aboriginal Arts Development Award, Individual Emerging Artist, for skills transfer of raised beadwork of Haudenosaunee Métis
2017 Art to Wear clothing line launch
2015 Adaka Festival, Whitehorse, Yukon. Selected as one of twelve Master Beadwork Artists.
2013 BC Aboriginal Business Awards, Business of the Year: One to two person Enterprise.
2010 Coca-Cola Aboriginal Art Bottle, “The Awakening,” selected to represent the Métis people during the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
2019 First People’s Cultural Council, Peer Selection Committee, Adjudicator for art funding awards
2018 First People’s Cultural Council’s Aboriginal Arts Development Award, Individual Emerging Artist, for skills transfer of raised beadwork of Haudenosaunee Métis
2017 Art to Wear clothing line launch
2015 Adaka Festival, Whitehorse, Yukon. Selected as one of twelve Master Beadwork Artists.
2013 BC Aboriginal Business Awards, Business of the Year: One to two person Enterprise.
2010 Coca-Cola Aboriginal Art Bottle, “The Awakening,” selected to represent the Métis people during the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
In the news: Other Features
Because of her reputation as a knowledge holder of Métis culture, her extraordinary artisanship, and her ability to relate to people of all ages, Lisa is a sought-after Métis educator and storyteller. She and her work have been featured as follows:
2021 Métis Nation BC, "Kaa-Wiichihitoyaahk – We Take Care of Each Other," a cultural wellness guide. Lisa's artwork is featured in the cover image and in an article in this book, as is an article that Lisa wrote, "How the Fire Bag Came to be Known as the Octopus Bag."
2017 Scholastic, image of Lisa's artwork appears in Take Action For Reconciliation: Community Ties, grades 3 to 8 Social Studies resource. 25,000 copies in English and French, for print and e-platform, in Canada.
2016 Parks Canada video series, "Metis Identity and Voice in Canada's National Parks and Historic Sites." Lisa is featured as one of the Métis knowledge holders in the first five videos in this series.
2016 Métis Nation BC, “Sharing Community Health Information, Métis Public Surveillance Program.” Images of Lisa’s garments are featured throughout guide.
2015 Parks Canada, Lisa authored, “Teachings of the Mountain People,” Education Module.
2015 Government House, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Flag Day: A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the National Flag of Canada, Lisa was guest Métis dance performer.
2013 Pearson Education Canada, “Pearson Science 7 – Manitoba Edition” by Brockman, Doepker, McKay, Stephenson, Wallace, Wiebe., images of Lisa's garments are featured.
2011 Tiga Talk, Culture Corner, Lisa's Métis beadwork was guest featured on children’s drama series
2011 Tiga Talk, Lisa's Métis jigging was guest featured on children’s drama series
2011 Health Nutz, APTN, Lisa was choreographer for Métis jigging episode:
2021 Métis Nation BC, "Kaa-Wiichihitoyaahk – We Take Care of Each Other," a cultural wellness guide. Lisa's artwork is featured in the cover image and in an article in this book, as is an article that Lisa wrote, "How the Fire Bag Came to be Known as the Octopus Bag."
2017 Scholastic, image of Lisa's artwork appears in Take Action For Reconciliation: Community Ties, grades 3 to 8 Social Studies resource. 25,000 copies in English and French, for print and e-platform, in Canada.
2016 Parks Canada video series, "Metis Identity and Voice in Canada's National Parks and Historic Sites." Lisa is featured as one of the Métis knowledge holders in the first five videos in this series.
2016 Métis Nation BC, “Sharing Community Health Information, Métis Public Surveillance Program.” Images of Lisa’s garments are featured throughout guide.
2015 Parks Canada, Lisa authored, “Teachings of the Mountain People,” Education Module.
2015 Government House, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Flag Day: A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the National Flag of Canada, Lisa was guest Métis dance performer.
2013 Pearson Education Canada, “Pearson Science 7 – Manitoba Edition” by Brockman, Doepker, McKay, Stephenson, Wallace, Wiebe., images of Lisa's garments are featured.
2011 Tiga Talk, Culture Corner, Lisa's Métis beadwork was guest featured on children’s drama series
2011 Tiga Talk, Lisa's Métis jigging was guest featured on children’s drama series
2011 Health Nutz, APTN, Lisa was choreographer for Métis jigging episode: