8th Fire is a highly anticipated documentary series on CBC TV, Radio & CBC.ca premiering next month. RWS founder & photographer Nadya Kwandibens is featured in Episode 2 “It’s Time” which airs January 19 & 20, 2012: “Nadya Kwandibens is Anishinaabe and French from the Northwest Angle #37 First Nation in Ontario. She is based in Toronto and much of her work explores the identity of urban Aboriginal people as illustrated in her popular Concrete Indians photography series…” [ read more ] www: cbc.ca/doczone/8thfire Facebook: 8thfire Twitter: #8thfirecbc YouTube: CBC Doc Zone: 8th Fire – Preview [ Photo: A video still from Episode 2 “It’s Time” ]
Last week, Nadya met with some CBC TV crew for an interview about what it means to be Native and living in a city, such as Toronto. The series of vignettes features urban Aboriginals from across Canada, and originally aired on Tuesday’s episode of Connect with Mark Kelley, April 6th. Watch: Aboriginal Life in the City Runtime: 3:06 mins The features, including some coverage on The National, were launched with the Urban Aboriginal Peoples Study; “researchers interviewed 2,614 status and non-status First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in 11 cities across Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Ont., Montreal, Toronto, Halifax and Ottawa (Inuit only), between March and October 2009. The study was launched to examine “the attitudes of native Canadians who call the city home.” For more information about the Urban Aboriginal Peoples Study, visit: www.cbc.ca
Since its first inception in May 2008, the response to this series has been overwhelming; Native people from across Turtle Island have been submitting their ideas regarding what it means to be urbanized and how living in urban centers either strengthens or weakens (or both) ones own cultural identity. The concept is “Urban Indian” and “Native Identity”. Rather than the photographer be the source of ideas through which the concept is explored, YOU share what it means to you by submitting a ► photo idea. The series is cinematic, all images are converted to large-scale black & white portraits, and will also be launched as a travelling exhibit visiting reservations/ reserves, and cities throughout Canada and U.S.A. See more “Concrete Indians” ————————————————————-★ BE A CONCRETE INDIAN ★————————————————————- To take part in the 2010 photo-session tour, send the following information along w/ a CONCRETE IDEA, to via either our contact form, or: Email ► concrete.indians@gmail.com ◄ Subject: “Concrete Indians Submission” ● Full Name ● Nation/ Affiliation ● Home Community/ First Nation ● Current Location/ City ● Idea(s) Note: All sessions require signing a Release Form prior to shooting which grants the photographer permission to place the images within her portfolio(s) + […]
Nadya is featured in This Magazine, which hit bookstores across Canada last week, with a profile written by Lisa Charleyboy, titled: Turning the lens on Aboriginal urbanites with “Concrete Indians.” Here is an excerpt from online edition: “Nadya Kwandibens stepped off a Greyhound bus from Phoenix, Arizona, in Kenora, Ontario, in November 2006 with only her camera and her computer. During the two-and-a-half-day trip, her suitcase, containing all her belongings, had been misplaced at a transfer point in Omaha. She lost her clothing, her native powwow jingle dress, and sacred ceremonial items, like her smudge bowl and an eagle feather her aunt gave her. ‘I was broke, tired, hungry, happy, angry, frustrated, and nearly crying,’ she says. ‘I was standing there by the bus…'” Find out which Concrete Indians are featured! ► Read More
Concrete Indians is gonna do it up in Toronto this week during the Creator Within Festival presented by ANDPVA. 12 large black & white portraits will be presented featuring: Jennifer Podemski, Darrell Dennis, Michaela Washburn, Waawaate Fobister, Lisa Charleyboy, Anthony Henhawk and Jessica Yee! I will be there, of course, to talk about the series, what it’s about and how much support it’s been getting… it’s been amazing how many people have taken to this series; folks from across Canada and the U.S. Here are the details Duration: Nov. 18 – 22, 2009 Opening Reception: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7 – 8pm Wychwood Barns Gallery 601 Christie Street (corner of Benson & Wychwood) View Map RSVP √ A few of the Concrete Indians will be in attendance to talk about their portrait! I hope those in the GTA will come out and see the show and say HI! Baamaaminawaa,
Curated by Debra Yepa-Pappan Location: Beacon Street Gallery 410 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL Opening reception October 9, 2009 5 – 8pm Exhibition runs through December 20, 2009 “Intrigue and Novelty” highlights the work of 8 contemporary Native American women artists, each of whom is a superstar among her peers in the Native art scene. These women utilize conventional and modern methods/mediums to create images that resonate their individual experiences as Native American women. Portraying images of Native tradition and pop iconography, it’s evident that these women balance themselves between their traditional backgrounds which are rich in age old ceremonies and customs (Intriguing to non-Natives) and modern pop culture (Novelty). Artists include: Christine Caluya, Amber Gunn Gauthier, Nadya Kwandibens, Linda Lomahaftewa, Erica Lord, America Meredith, Rose B. Simpson, and Debra Yepa-Pappan. Visit: www.beaconst.org
Mark Rutledge approached me back in June about doing a feature of my work for a new series on his website that highlights Aboriginal photographers, illustrators, painters and designers. Red Works is honoured to be the first featured artist in this monthly showcase. Chi-miigwech/ thank you very much, Mark for this opportunity! To read the feature visit: www.mhr-studios.com
