Métis Creatives that Inspire
Today, I want to replenish you with some hearty and refreshing creative work from a group of people we don’t always hear from- Métis creatives!
I will explore tactics like music collaboration, art and activism and video production to provide some inspiration for when you need it the most.
*Please Note: this article is created for those working in digital communications, but will explore inspiration outside of this realm as well!*
Why Métis Creatives?
Quietly nurtured over the course of my life, my Métis identity has blossomed, particularly through my involvement and work with the Métis Nation of Ontario. Drawing abundant inspiration from our vibrant community, I am eager to share some creative inspiration from the Métis community in Ontario.
Music and Collaboration
Feature: Amanda Rheaume
Amanda Rheaume is a “Canadian musician who blends rootsy, guitar-driven ballads with stories of resistance and resilience. She is a Citizen of the Métis Nation, a 2SLGBTQ+ activist, and a builder of Indigenous music infrastructure and community. ”
I had the chance to see her a year ago with some coworkers, and admittedly, I hadn’t heard a single song. To my pleasure, it was a really sweet concert with immaculate vibes.
Some content I really enjoyed and wanted to highlight in this article was her partnership with songwriter ShoShona Kish. They teamed up on a “Voices of Change” playlist for Apple Music, and I thought- wow, what a fun way to promote community and a great collaboration.
Check-out her Instagram page and visit the playlist here: Voices of Change: Amanda Rheaume and ShoShona Kish - Playlist - Apple Music.
For your next project, consider how collaboration can be an exciting avenue for connecting with your audience!
Art and Activism
Feature: Dylan AT Miner
Dylan AT Miner, Ph.D. (b. 1976) is an “artist, activist, scholar, and transformational leader. He is a Professor and Senior Associate Dean of Research, Creative Practice, and Graduate Education at the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan.”
I chose to feature Dylan because I enjoy his printmaking and messaging. He is positioned at the intersection of activism and art in an exciting way.
Check-out Dylan’s Instagram page here.
During turbulent times, his messages can be a moment for introspection in the fast-paced environment that is social media.
Marie Claire wrote a great article on art and activism and how art online has become widely spread for social justice issues. In the article, artist Foreman says, “Psychology has proven that we take action and make decisions based on our emotions more than anything else,” Foreman muses. “It taps into our emotions in a way that statistics and news stories may not… But we need the numbers, the statistics, the news, and the art. We need all the tools in the toolbox.”
In an age of art and activism on social media, think about how you can connect with artists and thought leaders to address issues that resonate with your brand.
If you are debating creating or sharing an art activist’s work, some questions to consider are: How can I spark meaningful conversation? How can I create content that is valuable, researched and insightful? What value am I adding? Lastly, am I in the position to speak on this?
The Art of Video Storytelling
Feature: Indigenous Geographic
Indigenous Geographic is an “indigenous-owned video production company and educational platform that amplifies indigenous voices and shares indigenous stories across Canada and the globe.”
I came across Indigenous Geographic through my professional network and have had a few introductions to the lovely team.
They are incredibly talented, and the Co-Founder and Creative Director, Matt Le May, is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario.
The work I wanted to feature today was the documentary created for the Métis National Council titled “Reclaiming Fire.” This short video is about the Métis cultural connection to fire and how fire can be used as a practice for wildfire management.
(This video is from the Indigenous Geographic website. To view their work, visit the following link.)
There are a variety of notable videos they have worked on, but I selected this video as it is short-form video content and includes a dynamic shot list.
To dive deeper into the structure of the video, there is a variety of visuals being mixed in with the testimonials, including the use of 2D animation. These shots are timed with the testimonial or are used as a transitionary visual element.
Not only do they use 2D animation for visual interest, but they also have a variety of beautiful filler content, like the overhead drone shots.
These visual elements help maintain an audience and create interest, especially for corporate or organization-led videos.
There is so much to learn from other creatives, and Indigenous Geographic can offer a lot of inspiration for your next video project. Check out their work and consider how visual variety and animation can boost your next video project!
Other Artists
- Métis Film-maker Chris Darton is working on his latest film. Read the story here: PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions
- Métis Nation of Ontario has started a Stars in our Sky section, which features citizen stories. To read the latest artist, visit: Métis artist grapples with legacy of Residential School System - Métis Nation of Ontario (metisnation.org)
- I would be remiss if I didn’t include some talented Métis beaders! Check out Marissa Magneson and Modern Metis Beading, to name a few!
Reflection
Thanks for following along on some of the work that inspires me! I hope that you can go back to your own positions with some creative inspiration and a new knowledge of the diverse work that Métis in Ontario are putting out!
Let me know in the comments if you explore tactics like music collaboration, art and activism and video production in your communications pieces at your workplace.
Similarly, I encourage you to look at some of the practices of your own heritage and share what you have learned from them. You never know where inspiration can strike, and it only sometimes happens in the shower. 😉