Indigenous Artist-in-Residence Program

Main page content begins here

The Indigenous Artist-in-Residence Program showcases the artwork of talented Indigenous artists.

The Indigenous Artist-in-Residence (IAiR) program is inspired by other Artist-in-Residence programs at the City of Edmonton, but approaches the program through a partnership between the Edmonton Arts Council, the City of Edmonton’s Indigenous Relations Office, and Indigenous artists and knowledge holders.

Since the Indigenous Artist-in-Residence program began, there have been 3 artists who have taken part: Dawn Marie Marchand, Melissa-Jo (MJ) Belcourt Moses and Matthew Wood (also known as Creeasian).

Matthew Wood (Creeasian) - 3rd Indigenous Artist-in-Residence

Matthew Wood Photo

Matthew is an entrepreneur, youth educator, dancer, DJ, producer, and tours as a dancer with the Juno Award winning group The Halluci Nation. He is committed to bridging hip-hop and Indigenous culture, using the arts to empower and unite youth.

IDENTITY with Matthew Creeasian

The final showcase of his 2021-22 artist residency took place over 2 nights in June 2022. "Identity" was an interactive exhibition with a live DJ, Cree syllabics, and finger drumming. Creeasian invited audiences to follow his journey into the 4 directions of the medicine wheel while also celebrating community and healing.

"Every Child Matters" by Creeasian and Busyrawk

This is a tribute to the 215 children found in unmarked graves due to the abuse and negligence of the Kamloops Indian residential school, funded by the Canadian government.

Artwork Samples

Online Garden Party with Mile Zero Dance
Creeasian Breaking Class
Immersive Knowledge Transfer Series - DJ Set - Creeasian - DrumBeat - IM4
Creeasian, X Avant Festival, 2018
Creesian x Sampler Cafe
Meet A Tribe Called Red's Secret Weapon

Melissa-Jo (MJ) Belcourt Moses

2nd Indigenous Artist-in-Residence

MJ is a traditional Métis artist, certified Native Cultural Art instructor and most recently served as Indigenous Art Consultant for Fort Edmonton Park and Indigenous Curator for the Edmonton Public Library. In 2019, MJ served as an Indigenous Artist in Residency with the City of Edmonton.
Source: Art Gallery of Alberta

Read About My Journey

View Melissa-Jo (MJ)'s Gallery

Dawn Marie Marchand

1st Indigenous Artist-in-Residence

Dawn Marie Marchand comes from Cold Lake First Nation in Treaty Six territory. cîpêhcakwawêw-iskwêw (Blue Horse Spirit Woman) is a celebrated Cree and Métis artist, educator, advocate, author, writer, speaker, and Mother.

Read Full Biography

View Dawn Marie's Gallery

Creator of the IAiR Logo

Ohkomimâw mikisiw Grandmother Golden Eagle, her English name is Jessica Sanderson-Barry, is a nêhiyaw-iskwêw and mother from Chakastaypasin Band, Treaty 6 territory. She is the owner and designer behind JShine Designs, combining both traditional and contemporary beading styles into her art.

Read Jessica's Full Biography

Indigenous Framework Artworks

Indigenous art helps tell stories, starts conversations, and makes us look beyond our own experiences to better understand the lives, experiences and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples.

Art and ETS

ETS has some fabulous works of art throughout the Edmonton Transit system.

Indigenous Art Park

Queen Elizabeth Park has served as a destination park for Edmontonians since 1909 and provides amenities such as year-round trails, picnic areas and a playground.