Featured Artists
CREATIVITY ROOTED IN CULTURE
Discover artists from Kanehsatà:ke whose creativity reflects their connection to culture, community, and the world around them. Explore their work and the stories behind it.
Sky Gagnier
Graphic Artist
Sky Gagnier is an artist whose work is deeply inspired by the culture and natural landscapes of the community in which she grew up. Drawing primarily from nature, Sky often weaves land-based elements into her art as a way of staying connected to heritage and identity. Her creative practice is also informed by a growing interest in storytelling, with futur plans to develop a web comic inspired by Kanien’ké:ha themes and perspectives. In her featured piece, Sky highlights the relationship between land and people, incorporating the three clans overlooking the territory alongside a ribbon dancer, an expression of admiration for regalia, movement, and cultural continuity.
For commissions and inquiries:
Kaysun Oke
Multidisciplinary Artist
Kaysun Oke is a multidisciplinary artist of the Turtle Clan from Kanehsatà:ke who has been creating and selling her work since 2019. Her practice spans beadwork, pointillism drawing, and pyrography on wood, all strongly influenced by the natural environments that surround her. Kaysun’s work is research-driven, particularly when depicting animals and their habitats, ensuring accuracy and respect for the land. In recent years, she has expanded into jewelry, baby moccasins, and sewn pieces, and she actively shares her knowledge through workshops and creative kits. In her piece, Purple Heart, her beadwork incorporates diverse materials and textures to reflect forests, wetlands, sand, and plant life.
For commissions and inquiries:
Samantha Pepin
Photographer
Samantha Pepin is a photographer and the creative force behind Life in Full Bloom, an Indigenous-owned lifestyle photography business rooted in Kanehsatà:ke. Her work is guided by a desire to capture authentic moments: quiet connections, emotional milestones, and the beauty found in everyday life. Samantha specializes in lifestyle photography for families, couples, weddings, maternity, newborns, portraits, and community gatherings. Through her lens, she preserves stories as they unfold, with an approach that is heartfelt and honest. Samantha’s featured pictures are a testament to the beauty of Kanehsatà:ke’s land and community.
For commissions and inquiries:
Shayla Chloe Oroho:te Etienne
Visual Artist
Shayla Chloe Oroho:te Etienne is currently pursuing Art Education at Concordia University, following her graduation from the Visual Arts program at Dawson College. Working primarily in acrylic painting, she also explores charcoal, graphite, pastels, and digital media. Her work often reflects themes of nature, and emotions such as grief and peace. Shayla offers commissioned artwork across a range of mediums and subjects, including animals, conceptual pieces, and portraits. Her featured piece draws inspiration from corn husk dolls, the Three Sisters, and the Two Dog Wampum, symbolizing cultural resilience, community strength, and the enduring relationship between people and land.
For commissions and inquiries: