Nominations Now Open for the 9th Annual Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award. Deadline to apply is January 31, 2024.

This award recognizes outstanding emerging Indigenous (Status and Non-Status First Nations, Métis, Inuit) artists from Northern Ontario who are women or otherwise gender-marginalized (transfeminine, transmasculine, non-binary, Two Spirit, gender non-conforming). You can nominate yourself or another artist. The winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and up to 2 shortlisted artists will receive prizes of $1,500 each.

 

Eligibility

  • Must be 18 years of age or older

  • Must be an Indigenous person living in Northern Ontario (Métis, Inuit, Status, and Non-Status First Nations peoples).

  • This award is for women and other gender-marginalized folks. NWIA respects trans women as women and uses the term “gender marginalized” to be inclusive of not only women but also trans men and other transmasculine, transfeminine, non-binary, Two Spirit, and genderqueer folks. Cis-gendered, heterosexual men are not eligible for this award.

  • Must be at the emerging stages of an artistic career. NWIA defines an emerging artist as:

    • In the early stages of their career, regardless of age

    • Has created a modest body of work

    • Has had some evidence of professional achievement but may not yet have a substantial record of accomplishments.

    • One who is not yet recognized as an established or mid-career artist by other artists, curators, producers, critics, community members, and arts administrators.

  • Open to all artistic disciplines including:

    • Traditional/Customary Arts (examples: Beading, Carving, Quillwork, Tufting, Weaving)

    • Visual Arts (examples: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Installation, and Performance Art)

    • Performing Arts (examples: Dance, Music, Theatre) 

    • Media Arts (examples: Film, Video, New Media)

    • Literary Arts (examples: Prose, Poetry, Creative-Nonfiction, Spoken-Word)

  • Live in one of these geographical regions in Northern Ontario:

    • Kenora District 

    • Algoma District 

    • Cochrane District 

    • Manitoulin District 

    • Nipissing District

    • Parry Sound District 

    • Sudbury District 

    • Timiskaming District 

    • Rainy River District 

    • Thunder Bay District 

  • All eligible artists are encouraged to self-nominate.

  • Individuals can also nominate an eligible artist they feel deserves this award.

  • Individuals who have been shortlisted for the award previously are still eligible to win the award.

  • Previous winners of the Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award are ineligible to be shortlisted or win the award.

Please ensure your nomination includes all of the following items :

  • Artist Resume or CV

  • Short bio up to 250 words max

  • A maximum 1-page letter outlining why you, or the artist you are nominating, should receive this award.

  • Images, audio, written, or video support material of your artwork. Please do not send more than 10 individual files or any originals. 

  • Maximum 1-page letter of support from the nominator or in the case of a self-nomination, a letter from someone who is familiar with the nominee’s career in the arts.  

Nominations Open: November 10, 2023

Nomination Deadline: January 31, 2024

Winner Announced: April 2024

Value of Award: $5,000 for prize winner/ $1,500 for up to 2 shortlisted nominees

Award Jury: *NWIA Board of Directors 

Please submit your nomination directly to Native Women in the Arts at awards@nwia.ca You may also direct any inquiries regarding the award if you have any questions.  

Please share this call on Facebook, Twitter, and by email to family and friends! 

*In the event of a direct conflict of interest between an NWIA board member and a nominee, said NWIA Board members will recuse themselves from the selection process. Examples of direct conflicts of interest include a nominee being a family member, partner, employee, or employer of a board member, A board member being from the same community/band as a nominee, or having worked in collaboration with or curated a nominee in the past would not be considered a direct conflict of interest. 

Our Vision: To support and celebrate the achievement of Indigenous gender-marginalized artists from Northern Ontario, and to provide financial support and career-enhancing opportunities to encourage their continued excellence.

The Impact: The Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award is given in the spirit of fostering the careers of emerging artists from Indigenous (on and off-reserve) communities in Northern Ontario. NWIA recognizes the specific barriers that many Northern artists face, and we aim to support Indigenous artists by creating connections, professional development, and exhibition opportunities through our programming initiatives. Since 1994, NWIA has delivered theater, dance, music, and spoken word presentations, exhibited visual and media arts, and published three books of Indigenous visual art and writing. We also hold community-driven artist talks, workshops, commissions, and symposiums. Our programming is offered to diverse audiences in Toronto, Northern Ontario, and online.

History: The Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award was created to honour the legacy of NWIA founder Sandra Laronde, and her vision and commitment to Indigenous artists Sandra Laronde’s 19 years of leadership at NWIA that paved the way for many Indigenous artists at various stages of their careers. The award is named after her mother, Barbara, who has been the backbone of her family and a leader in the Northern Ontario community, Temagami First Nation. Barbara inspired her children to be creative and entrepreneurial, and it is with this spirit that NWIA launched this award.

For more info visit: www.nwia.ca/apply 

Native Women in the Arts is pleased to announce the shortlisted nominees and winner of the 8th Annual Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award

The Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award recognizes outstanding emerging Indigenous (Status and Non-Status First Nations, Métis, Inuit) artists from Northern Ontario who are women or otherwise gender marginalized (transfeminine, transmasculine, non-binary, gender non-conforming, Two Spirit). NWIA recognizes the specific barriers that many Northern artists face, and we aim to support Indigenous artists from Northern Ontario by creating connections, professional development, and performance opportunities through our programming initiatives. 

Each of the five shortlisted nominees will be acknowledged with a $1,500 award and the winner will receive a prize of $5,000. The winner and their work will also be featured on our website.

The shortlisted nominees for the 8th Annual Barbara Laronde Award are Teddy SyretteEvelyn Pakinewatik, and Cheavaun Toulouse

The Winner of the 8th Annual Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Awards is Storm Angeconeb.
 

Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award Recipient 
Storm Angeconeb

Storm Angeconeb is an Ojibwe visual artist from Treaty Three Territory, Lac Seul First Nation. Who was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and currently resides in Red Lake, Ontario. 

Much of Storms’ work includes animals and birds as representations of herself or those close to her. Over the past few years, her artwork has been seen throughout Winnipeg from murals to lightboxes. Storm continues to practice her art through painting, digital art, and beadwork.
 

Image: Storm Angeconeb, Creation Story, Digital.

Storm Angeconeb was selected from a number of nominees from across Northern Ontario. NWIA’s Artistic Director, Ariel Smith remarked: “ On behalf of the Board and staff of NWIA, we are thrilled to present this award to Storm Angeconeb and to recognize her commitment to the development of her artistic practice. We are confident that Storm has a great future ahead of her and wish her, the shortlisted candidates, as well as all of the nominees the very best in their endeavors. NWIA is excited to support the continuing creative and professional achievements of Storm Angeconeb with a $5,000 cash prize and to acknowledge each of our shortlisted nominees: Teddy Syrette, Chevaun Toulouse, and Evelyn Pakinewatik with a $1,500 prize. A huge congratulations to all!”
 

Image: Storm Angeconeb, Sisters, Digital.

The Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award

The Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award was created to honour the legacy of NWIA founder Sandra Laronde and her vision and commitment to Indigenous artists. It celebrates and acknowledges the career of one outstanding, emerging, Northern-Ontario based Indigenous Gender Marginalized artist, recognizing the geographic and economic barriers that many Northern artists face. Sandra Laronde’s 19 years of leadership at NWIA paved the way for many Indigenous artists at various stages of their careers. The award is named after her mother, Barbara, who has been the backbone of her family and a leader in the Northern Ontario community, Temagami First Nation. Barbara inspired her children to be creative and entrepreneurial, and it is with this spirit that NWIA launched this award.

Image: Storm Angeconb, Aandeg, Digital. 

Native Women in the Arts (NWIA)

Established in 1993, Native Women in the Arts (NWIA) is a not-for-profit organization for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Women and other Indigenous Gender Marginalized Folks from diverse artistic disciples who share a common interest in culture, art, community, and the advancement of Indigenous Peoples. 

NWIA Presents unique artistic programming while developing, supporting, and cultivating practices in the performing arts, literary arts and publishing, visual arts, customary arts, and community development projects. NWIA’s influence has been felt in communities across Canada. We nourish and transform our communities by pursuing the highest standards of artistic excellence, and by offering development opportunities to emerging artists. 

Nominations Now Open for the 8th Annual Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award

This award recognizes outstanding emerging Indigenous (Status and Non-Status First Nations, Métis, Inuit) artists from Northern Ontario who are women or otherwise gender marginalized (transfeminine, transmasculine, non-binary, Two Spirit, gender non-conforming). You can nominate yourself or another artist. The winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and up to 5 shortlisted artists will receive prizes of $1,500 each.

Eligibility

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Must be an Indigenous person living in Northern Ontario (Métis, Inuit, Status, and Non-Status First Nations peoples).
  • This award is for women and other gender-marginalized folks. NWIA respects trans women as women and uses the term “gender marginalized” to be inclusive of not only women but also trans men and other transmasculine, transfeminine, non-binary, Two Spirit, and genderqueer folks. Cis-gendered, heterosexual men are not eligible for this award.
  • Must be at the emerging stages of an artistic career. NWIA defines an emerging artist as:
    • In the early stages of their career, regardless of age
    • Has created a modest body of work
    • Has had some evidence of professional achievement but may not yet have a substantial record of accomplishments.
    • One who is not yet recognized as an established or mid-career artist by other artists, curators, producers, critics, community members, and arts administrators.
  • Open to all artistic disciplines including:
    • Traditional/Customary Arts (examples: Beading, Carving, Quillwork, Tufting, Weaving)
    • Visual Arts (examples: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Installation, and Performance Art)
    • Performing Arts (examples: Dance, Music, Theatre) 
    • Media Arts (examples: Film, Video, New Media)
    • Literary Arts (examples: Prose, Poetry, Creative-Nonfiction, Spoken-Word)
  • Live in one of these geographical regions in Northern Ontario:
    • Kenora District 
    • Algoma District 
    • Cochrane District 
    • Manitoulin District 
    • Nipissing District
    • Parry Sound District 
    • Sudbury District 
    • Timiskaming District 
    • Rainy River District 
    • Thunder Bay District
  • All eligible artists are encouraged to self-nominate.
  • Individuals can also nominate an eligible artist they feel deserves this award.
  • Individuals who have been shortlisted for the award previously are still eligible to win the award.
  • Previous winners of the Barbara Laronde Emerging Artist Award are ineligible to be shortlisted or win the award.

Please ensure your nomination includes all of the following items :

  • Artist Resume or CV
  • Short bio up to 250 words max
  • A maximum 1-page letter outlining why you, or the artist you are nominating, should receive this award.
  • Images, audio, written, or video support material of your artwork. Please do not send more than 10 individual files or any originals. 
  • Maximum 1-page letter of support from the nominator or in the case of a self-nomination, a letter from someone who is familiar with the nominee’s career in the arts. 

Nominations Open: October 7, 2022

Nomination Deadline: December 31, 2022

Value of Award: $5,000 for prize winner/ $1,500 for up to 5 shortlisted nominees

Award Jury: *NWIA Board of Directors

Please submit your nomination directly to Native Women in the Arts at awards@nwia.ca You may also direct any inquiries regarding the award if you have any questions. 
 

Please share this call on Facebook, Twitter, and by email to family and friends!
 

*In the event of a direct conflict of interest between an NWIA board member and a nominee, said NWIA Board members will recuse themselves from the selection process. Examples of direct conflicts of interest include a nominee being a family member, partner, employee, or employer of a board member, A board member being from the same community/band as a nominee, or having worked in collaboration with or curated a nominee in the past would not be considered a direct conflict of interest. 

Our Vision for Award: To support and celebrate the achievement of Indigenous gender marginalized artists from Northern Ontario, and to provide financial support and career-enhancing opportunities to encourage their continued excellence.

The Impact: The Barbara Laronde Award is given in the spirit of fostering the careers of emerging artists from Indigenous (on and off-reserve) communities in Northern Ontario. NWIA recognizes the specific barriers that many Northern artists face, and we aim to support Indigenous artists by creating connections, professional development, and exhibition opportunities through our programming initiatives. Since 1994, NWIA has delivered theater, dance, music, and spoken word presentations, exhibited visual and media arts, and published three books of Indigenous visual art and writing. We also hold community-driven artist talks, workshops, commissions, and symposiums. Our programming is offered to diverse audiences in Toronto, Northern Ontario, and online.

History: The Barbara Laronde award was created to honour the legacy of NWIA founder Sandra Laronde, and her vision and commitment to Indigenous artists Sandra Laronde’s 19 years of leadership at NWIA paved the way for many Indigenous artists at various stages of their careers. The award is named after her mother, Barbara, who has been the backbone of her family and a leader in the Northern Ontario community, Temagami First Nation. Barbara inspired her children to be creative and entrepreneurial, and it is with this spirit that NWIA launched this award.


For more info visit: www.nwia.ca/apply 

Native Women in the Arts is pleased to announce the winner of the fifth annual Barbara Laronde Award: Joe Wood.

2019 Barbara Laronde Award Winner, Joe Wood

Joe Wood was born in Nelson House MB, is a member of South Indian Lake First Nation, and identifies as Cree and Scottish. Joe is a self-taught visual and media artist who was raised as disabled. Her artistic practice has been a way to release anger, probe the unknown, and to express herself as a two-spirit person. Whether painting, drawing with charcoal or working with digital tools, Joe fearlessly pushes boundaries through her thoughtfully composed, minimalist aesthetic. Joe is based in North Bay, Ontario and has been a core member of Art Fix of Nipissing – a collective of artists with lived experience of mental health and substance use – contributing to project development, the design of an annual zine, and juried exhibition.

“Joe Wood’s recent work provides a glimpse into her experiences as a Two-Spirit Cree woman raised in Canada’s child welfare and mental health systems. The work is fierce yet vulnerable but most importantly, it is generous because it fearlessly speaks to truths Canada needs to hear. Her multimedia installations are created with a minimalist aesthetic which delivers a subtle yet meaningful impact – one which echoes Wood’s persona. I am grateful to this year’s Barbara Laronde jury members for providing Joe with a well-deserved opportunity to advance her career as she moves forward in her artistic endeavours.” – Chair of the Board, Aylan Couchie.

Wood was selected from a number of applications from across Northern Ontario. NWIA’s Artistic Director, Ariel Smith remarked:

“ On behalf of the Board and staff of NWIA, we are thrilled to present this award to Joe Wood, in recognition of her talent, her resilience, and her commitment to her craft and community. We have no doubt she will continue to grow and evolve as a practising artist and wish her all the best in her future endeavours. NWIA is excited to support the continuing creative and professional achievements of Joe Wood with a $2500 cash prize.”

The 5th annual Barbara Laronde Award will be presented to Joe Wood on Friday, January 17 at 6 PM as part of NWIA’s Inaabandam Symposium.

The Inaabandam Symposium runs January 17 – 19, 2020, at the Toronto Media Art Centre (TMAC) located at 32 Lisgar Street in Toronto. The symposium will open with the award presentation followed by a performance from Melody McKiver, a catered reception and bar, and beats from DJ Jams.

In recognition of 2019/2020 being the 5th year of the Barbara Laronde Award, NWIA is also presenting a visual arts exhibition comprised of works by the 2015-2019 Barbara Laronde Award winners: Aylan Couchie, Janelle Wawia, Lucille Atlookan, Caitlyn Bird, and Joe Wood.

All events on Friday, January 17 are FREE and open to the community even if you will not be attending the symposium for its duration.

The Barbara Laronde Award Exhibition will be running from Friday, January 17, 2020 – Friday, January 31, 2020, daily from 11 AM – 6 PM at TMAC located at 32 Lisgar Street, Toronto, ON.

Join our FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/3293548850720515/

About the Barbara Laronde Award

The Barbara Laronde Award was created to honour the legacy of NWIA founder Sandra Laronde and her vision and commitment to Indigenous artists. It celebrates and acknowledges the career of one outstanding, emerging, Northern-Ontario based Indigenous Gender Marginalized artist, recognizing the geographic and economic barriers that many Northern artists face.

Sandra Laronde’s 19 years of leadership at NWIA paved the way for many Indigenous artists at various stages of their careers. The award is named after her mother, Barbara, who has been the backbone of her family and a leader in the Northern Ontario community, Temagami First Nation. Barbara inspired her children to be creative and entrepreneurial, and it is with this spirit that NWIA launched this award.

About the Inaabandum Symposium

The Inaabandam symposium will foreground issues of concern and interest to Indigenous Women and other Indigenous Gender Marginalized artists from multiple disciplines including film, performing arts, visual art, and customary practices.

Inaabandam will feature open teachings with elders, panel discussions, exhibition, and reception. The symposium will take place on January 17, 18 and 19, 2020, at the Toronto Media Art Centre. Registration for the symposium is now open.

For more information on Inaabandam and to register for the symposium please visit: http://www.nwia.ca/projects/inaabandam/

About Native Women in the Arts (NWIA)

Over 25 years, NWIA has delivered theatre, dance, music, and spoken word productions and published three books of Indigenous visual art and writing. We also produce a series of community-driven artist talks, leadership and cultural workshops, youth arts projects to audiences interested in arts, culture, and the advancement of Indigenous peoples.

*Gallery Photos by Liz Lott*

Nominations Now Open for the Barbara Laronde Award – Deadline September 30, 2019

This call for nominations is open to emerging Indigenous artists from Northern Ontario who identify as Women (Trans, Non-Binary, Genderqueer, Two Spirited & Cis). Please note that you can nominate yourself or someone else.

Eligibility:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • To be considered for an award the artist must be an Indigenous person living in Northern Ontario (Métis, Inuit, Status and Non-Status First Nations peoples)
  • This award is for Indigenous artists who identify as Women which includes Trans and Two-Spirit Women as well as Cis Women. This award is also open to Two-Spirit artists who may identify as Non-binary and Genderqueer who prefer the use of they/them pronouns.
  • Must be at the emerging stages of artistic career. We define an emerging artist as:
    • In the early stage of their career, regardless of age
    • Has created a modest body of work
    • Has had some evidence of professional achievement but may not yet have a substantial record of accomplishments.
    • One who is not yet recognized as an established or mid-career artists by other artists, curators, producers, critics, community members, and arts administrators.
    • One who shows significant potential, yet may be under-recognized
  • Open to all artistic disciplines including:
    • Traditional/Customary Arts (Beading, Carving, Quillwork, Tufting, Weaving)
    • Visual Arts (Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Installation and performance art)
    • Performing Arts (Dance, Music, Theatre)
    • Media Arts (Film, video, New Media)
    • Literary arts
  • Must live in one of these geographical regions in northern Ontario:
    • Kenora District
    • Algoma District
    • Cochrane District
    • Manitoulin District
    • Nipissing District
    • Parry Sound District
    • Sudbury District
    • Timiskaming District
    • Rainy River District
    • Thunder Bay District
  • All eligible artists are encouraged to apply.
  • Individuals can also nominate an eligible artist they feel deserves this award.

To apply please submit the following:

  • One-page letter outlining why you or the artist you are nominating should receive this award
  • Images, audio, written or video support material of your artwork. Please do not send original artworks.
  • A full length bio and resume
  • If you are submitting on behalf of yourself please include a letter of support from someone who is familiar with your career in the arts.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2019

Value of Award: $1500 Cash

Please note: The award recipient will be chosen by the board of directors of NWIA

Our Vision: To support and celebrate the achievement of an Indigenous Women (Trans, Non-Binary, Genderqueer, Two Spirited & Cis) artist from Northern Ontario, and to provide financial support and career enhancing opportunities to encourage their continued excellence.

The Impact: The Barbara Laronde Award will foster the careers of emerging artists from Indigenous (on and off reserve) communities in Northern Ontario by showcasing excellence and innovation. NWIA recognizes the geographic and economic barriers that many Northern artists face, and aims to support artists by creating connections, professional development, and performance opportunities. Over 25 years, NWIA has delivered theatre, dance, music, and spoken word productions and published three books of Indigenous visual art and writing. We also produce a series of community-driven artist talks, leadership and cultural workshops, youth arts projects to audiences interested in arts, culture, and the advancement of Indigenous peoples.

Please share this call on Facebook, Twitter, and by email to family and friends!

Please submit your application to Native Women in the Arts: awards@nwia.ca

For more info visit: www.nwia.ca/apply

2018 Holiday Donation Drive: The Barbara Laronde Award

Donate to The Barbara Laronde Award this Holiday Season! Support Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit Artist in the North.

Donations make great gifts! Each year the Barbara Laronde Award celebrates and acknowledges the career of one emerging, Northern-Ontario based, Indigenous Woman or Two-Spirit artist. Check out the past award recipients here.

With your support, the Barbara Laronde Award can continue to aid emerging artists for years to come. 100% of your donations benefit the artist.

About the award:

– $1500 cash award to the selected emerging artist based in the north

– Promotion of their work through NWIA networks

– Opportunities for presentation of their works

– Full cost of travel expenses and award plaque

NWIA aims to expand this award in the near future to support the careers of these artists further and requires support from its donors to accomplish this.

If you would like to make a donation as a gift, email NWIA at awards@nwia.ca and specify the recipient’s name. We will list their name on our website as a 2019 NWIA donor.

To donate online to The Barbara Laronde Award click here.

Cheques can be mailed and made payable to:

Native Women in the Arts
180 Shaw Street, Suite 208
Toronto, ON
M6J 2W5

About The Barbara Laronde Award

The Barbara Laronde Award was created to honour the legacy of NWIA Founder, Sandra Laronde, and her vision and commitment to Indigenous artists. It is named after her mother, Barbara, who has been the backbone of her family and a leader in the Northern Ontario community, Temagami First Nation. Barbara inspired her children to be creative and entrepreneurial, and it was with this spirit that NWIA launched this award in 2015.

NWIA is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Women and Two-Spirit people who share the common interest of art, culture, community, and the advancement of Indigenous peoples.

Thank you for your continued support of NWIA and the Barbara Laronde Award.

2018 Barbara Laronde Award Recipient

Native Women in the Arts is pleased to announce the winner of the fourth annual Barbara Laronde Award: Caitlyn Bird

Caitlyn Bird, 23, an Anishnaabe Woman from Noatkamegwanning First Nation (Whitefish Bay) who grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario where she developed a love for the traditional arts focusing on beading. She utilizes traditional techniques and methods while allowing herself to explore through contemporary methods of color, and design. She obtained vast knowledge from her great Grandmother and women within her community. In ensuring the continuation of knowledge, she accepts any opportunity to share what she has been taught in hopes of inspiring others whilst, encouraging them to learn more about their culture and history.

She graduated, 2016, from Lakehead University with her Indigenous Learning degree and now attends the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, NM obtaining her BFA in Museum Studies. She continues to bead and design daily and believes her love for beading has guided her and “Kin-nan-nim-mig-go” (takes care of her) in numerous ways. She hopes her love of art continues to connect her with her culture and community.

Bird was selected from a number of applications from across Northern Ontario. Artistic Director, Ariel Smith remarked: “ On behalf of the Board and staff of NWIA, we are thrilled to present this award to Caitlyn in recognition of her talent and commitment to her craft. We have no doubt she will continue to grow and evolve as a practicing artist and wish her all the best in her future endeavours. ” NWIA is excited to support the continuing creative and professional achievements of Caitlyn Bird with a $1500 award, which will be presented with Barbara Laronde on Sunday, July 22, 2018, at the Temagami Canoe Festival.

The Barbara Laronde Award was created to honour the legacy of NWIA founder Sandra Laronde and her vision and commitment to Indigenous artists. It celebrates and acknowledges the career of one outstanding, emerging, Northern-Ontario based Indigenous female artist, recognizing the geographic and economic barriers that many northern artists face.

Sandra Laronde’s 19 years of leadership at NWIA paved the way for many Indigenous artists at various stages of their careers. The award is named after her mother, Barbara, who has been the backbone of her family and a leader in the Northern Ontario community, Temagami First Nation. Barbara inspired her children to be creative and entrepreneurial, and it is with this spirit that NWIA launched this award in 2015.

The Temagami Canoe Festival, July 21 – 22, 2018 at the Temagami Waterfront Park is a celebration of Canadian Canoe Culture. This two-day indoor-outdoor, multistage, family-friendly celebration hosts activities that include: canoe displays, demos, and workshops, canoe race events, historical talks, birch bark canoes, guided old growth forest hikes, live music, food and craft vendors, and much more.

For more information please visit: https://www.temagamicanoefestival.com/

Nominations Now Open for the Barbara Laronde Award Deadline June 22, 2018

Nominations are now open for emerging Indigenous artists from Northern Ontario who are Women (Trans, Cis, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, Genderqueer). Please note that you can nominate yourself or someone else.

Eligibility:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • To be considered for an award the artist must be an Indigenous person living in Northern Ontario (Métis, Inuit, Status and Non-Status First Nations peoples).
  • This award is for Indigenous artists who are Women which includes Trans and Two-Spirit Women as well as Cis Women. This award is also open to Two-Spirit artists who may identify as Non-Binary and Genderqueer who prefer the use of they/them pronouns.
  • Must be at the emerging stages of artistic career. We define an emerging artist as:
    • In the early stage of their career, regardless of age
    • Has created a modest body of work
    • Has had some evidence of professional achievement but may not yet have a substantial record of accomplishments.
    • One who is not yet recognized as an established or mid-career artists by other artists, curators, producers, critics, community members, and arts administrators.
  • Open to all artistic disciplines including:
    • Traditional/Customary Arts (Beading, Carving, Quillwork, Tufting, Weaving)
    • Visual Arts (Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Installation and Performance art)
    • Performing Arts (Dance, Music, Theatre)
    • Media Arts (Film, Video, New Media)
    • Literary arts
  • Live in one of these geographical regions in northern Ontario:
    • Kenora District
    • Algoma District
    • Cochrane District
    • Manitoulin District
    • Nipissing District
    • Parry Sound District
    • Sudbury District
    • Timiskaming District
    • Rainy River District
    • Thunder Bay District
  • All eligible artists are encouraged to apply
  • Individuals can also nominate an eligible artist they feel deserves this award.

To apply please submit the following:

  • Resume & Biography
  • One-page letter outlining why you or the artist you are nominating should receive this award.
  • Images, audio, written or video support material of your artwork. Please do not send original artworks.
  • Letter of support from someone who is familiar with the nominee’s career in the arts.

Application Deadline: June 22, 2018

Value of Award: $1500 Cash

Award Jury: NWIA Board of Directors  

Our Vision: To support and celebrate the achievement of an Indigenous Women artists from Northern Ontario, and to provide financial support and career enhancing opportunities to encourage their continued excellence.

The Impact: The Barbara Laronde Award is given in the spirit of fostering the careers of emerging artists from Indigenous (on and off reserve) communities in Northern Ontario. NWIA recognizes the specific barriers that many Northern artists face, and we aim to support Indigenous artists by creating connections, professional development, and performance opportunities through our programming initiatives. Over the past 25 years, NWIA has delivered theatre, dance, music, and spoken word productions, exhibited visual and media arts, and published three books of Indigenous visual art and writing. We also present community-driven artist talks, leadership and cultural workshops and youth arts projects to audiences interested in arts, culture, and the advancement of Indigenous peoples.

Please share this call on Facebook, Twitter, and by email to family and friends!

Submit your application to Native Women in the Arts: awards@nwia.ca 

For more info visit: www.nwia.ca/apply

Support Indigenous Women Artists in the North this Holiday Season by donating to the Barbara Laronde Award!

Donations Make a Great Gift! You may gift your donation by emailing us and specifying the recipient’s name. We will list their name on our website as a 2018 NWIA donor.

All donations in the amount of $25 and over are issued a charitable tax receipt.

Donate to the Barbara Laronde Award 

The Barbara Laronde Award celebrates and acknowledges the career of one outstanding, emerging, Northern-Ontario based Indigenous female artists– recognizing the geographic and economic barriers that many Northern artists face. Going into its fourth year, the Barbara Laronde award has helped launch the careers of three extraordinary artists.

With your support, the Barbara Laronde Award can continue to aid emerging artists for years to come.

About the award:

  • $1500 cash award to the selected emerging artist based in the north

  • Promotion of their work through NWIA networks

  • Opportunities for presentation of their works

  • Full cost of travel expenses

  • Award plaque

  • Also, NWIA aims to expand this award in the near future to support the careers of these artists further, and requires support from its donors to accomplish this!

    What’s more, 100% of your donation will benefit the artist.

    To donate online to The Barbara Laronde Award for best emerging female Indigenous artists based in Northern Ontario click here.

Cheques can be mailed, and made payable to:

Native Women in the Arts
180 Shaw Street, Suite 208
Toronto, ON
M6J 2W5

Be sure to include your return address for a tax receipt.

About the Barbara Laronde Award

The Barbara Laronde Award was created to honour the legacy of NWIA Founder, Sandra Laronde, and her vision and commitment to Indigenous artists. It is named after her mother, Barbara, who has been the backbone of her family and a leader in the Northern Ontario community, Temagami First Nation. Barbara inspired her children to be creative and entrepreneurial, and it was with this spirit that NWIA launched this award in 2015.

NWIA is a non-profit arts organization for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women who share the common interest of art, culture, community, and the advancement of Indigenous peoples.

Thanks to donations from people like you, we are able to continue to put on valuable, community-focused programming like the Kwe Performance Seriesthe Ka’nikonhrí:yo (Good Minds) Gatherings, the Miiyuu Pimaatswiin (Living a Good Life) Symposia, and the Women’s Hand Drumming Workshops.

2017 Barbara Laronde Award Recipient

Native Women in the Arts is thrilled to announce the winner of the third annual Barbara Laronde Award: Lucille Atlookan.

Lucille AtlookanLucille Atlookan 

Lucille Atlookan is an Anishnaabe emerging artist and university student from Eabametoong First Nation who resides in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Atlookan is a multi-disciplinary artist who creates work in a variety of media such as beadwork, sculpture, and illustration.

Atlookan is in her second year of the Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts Major) Bachelor of Education, a double degree program, at Lakehead University. Her goals are to become a professional practicing artist and Indigenous language instructor and to continue her involvement in arts education for Indigenous youth.

Atlookan was selected from a number of applications from across Northern Ontario. Robyn Shepherd for the NWIA Board of Directors remarked: “Firstly we want to acknowledge that all the candidates were excellent. From Atlookan’s application we got the sense of a deep commitment to herself and to her art, that of which is excellent. She has strong motivation to succeed in her chosen field and she will set a tremendous example for others who will see a path to follow.”

NWIA is excited to support the continuing creative and professional achievements of Lucille Atlookan with a $1500 award, which will be presented with Barbara Laronde in Temagami on July 16th at 1pm, during the Deepwater Music Festival on the waterfront main stage.

For more information please visit: www.facebook.com/temagamideepwatermusicfestival/

For My LoveFor My Love, Lucille Atlookan

About the Barbara Laronde Award

The Barbara Laronde Award was created to honour the legacy of NWIA founder Sandra Laronde and her vision and commitment to Indigenous artists. It celebrates and acknowledges the career of one outstanding, emerging, Northern-Ontario based Indigenous female artist, recognizing the geographic and economic barriers that many northern artists face.

Sandra Laronde’s 19 years of leadership at NWIA paved the way for many Indigenous artists at various stages of their careers. The award is named after her mother, Barbara, who has been the backbone of her family and a leader in the Northern Ontario community, Temagami First Nation. Barbara inspired her children to be creative and entrepreneurial, and it is with this spirit that NWIA launched this award in 2015.

Trade ColonialismTrade Colonialism, Lucille Atlookan

About Deepwater Music Festival 

Hosted by the Temagami Artist Collective, the Deepwater Music Festival takes place this year July 15-16, 2017, at Temagami’s waterfront. This year’s lineup includes Wayne Potts, Duane Paul, John Shymko, Sam Depatie, Mimi O’Bonsawin Band, Esther Pennell, Eight Thunderbird Singers, David Laronde Band, and more. Festival wristbands include entry to the concurrent Temagami Canoe Festival.

For further information visit: www.temagamiartisticcollective.com

Self PortraitSelf Portrait, Lucille Atlookan

About Native Women in the Arts (NWIA)

Over 24 years, NWIA has delivered theatre, dance, music, and spoken word productions and published three books of Indigenous visual art and writing. We also produce a series of community-driven artist talks, leadership and cultural workshops, youth arts projects to audiences interested in arts, culture, and the advancement of Indigenous peoples.

For further information about NWIA visit nwia.ca or call 416-598-4078.