Sarah Whalen Lunn, aka InkStitcher, 2024 Digital Illustration

Indigenous Narratives in Art explores contemporary Indigenous arts through conversations with artists, curators, and writers. Each episode highlights Indigenous perspectives often underrepresented in mainstream art discussions, covering topics from critical writing and curatorial practices to digital archiving and intergenerational dialogue. These episodes provide insight, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of Indigenous arts and culture for artists, curators, students, and anyone passionate about the arts.

This podcast is made possible by the generous support of “Digital Strategies; Cultivate Grant” from Canada Council for the Arts and the “Listen, Hear Our Voices” Program from Library and Archives Canada, who help us in our mission to amplify Indigenous voices.

Indigenous Narratives in Art – Episode 1
Supporting the Development of Youth in Curatorial Studies and Critical Art Writing

With Lori Beavis
Daphne Art Center/Centre d’art daphne
ICCA’s Board Treasurer

In this inaugural episode, we speak with Lori Beavis, ICCA’s Board Treasurer and a leader at the Daphne Art Center/Centre d’art daphne, about the importance of Indigenous narratives in contemporary art. We explore strategies for supporting youth in curatorial studies and critical art writing, highlighting initiatives that foster creative growth, mentorship, and Indigenous-led perspectives in the arts. This episode offers insight, inspiration, and practical ideas for anyone interested in Indigenous arts, education, and cultural leadership.

Lori Beavis is the Executive Director of daphne, Tiohtià:ke and Quebec’s first Indigenous artist-run centre.  Lori is also an independent curator, art educator and art historian living and working in Tiohtià:ke / Mooniyang / Montreal. Identifying as Michi Saagiig (Mississauga) Anishinaabe and Irish-Welsh settler. Beavis is a citizen of Hiawatha First Nation at Rice Lake, Ontario. 

Her curatorial work, art practice and research, articulates narrative and memory in the context of family and cultural history, and reflects on cultural identity, art education and self-representation. She has curated solo exhibitions with artists Shelley Niro, Jobena Petonoquot, and Barry Ace. She has curated group exhibitions including The Rebel Yells; Initawa / to hear or understand her in a certain way; and Ininige / to hold, and co-curated Creation Stories for BACA 2024 with Teresa Vander Meer Chassè, Emma Hassencahl-Perley and Jake Trimble.

From 2016 to 2023 she worked with her Hiawatha First Nation community on an exhibition of the quilled, birch bark makakoon created by women at Rice Lake village and gifted to the Prince of Wales in 1860. The award-winning exhibition, Mnaajtood ge Mnaadendaan: Miigwewinan Michi Saagiig Kwewag Miinegoowin Gimaans Zhaganaash Aki, 1860  / To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagiig Women to the Prince of Wales, 1860, co-curated with Dr. Laura Peers, was exhibited at the Peterborough Museum & Archives, Nogojiwanong/ Peterborough from April – November, 2023.

Currently co-Chair, Lori has served on the Executive  of the Indigenous Curatorial Collective Board of Directors since 2019.

Justine “Tini” Stilborn is an arts professional, curator, and advocate dedicated to amplifying Indigenous voices in contemporary art. She serves as the Digital Programs & Communications Manager at the Indigenous Curatorial Collective (ICCA), leading digital publications, archival initiatives, and outreach programs that support Indigenous curators, artists, and writers.

Tini has extensive experience in arts leadership and governance, serving on the CARFAC Saskatchewan Board (Past-President) and the CARFAC National Board, where she has contributed to policy development and programs that strengthen the rights and opportunities of artists. She has also managed marketing, communications, and branding for multiple arts organizations, helping to expand audiences, foster engagement, and create meaningful platforms for critical discourse.

On Indigenous Narratives in Art, Tini brings her expertise in arts leadership, curation, and communications to the conversation, guiding listeners through insightful discussions about Indigenous art, curatorial practice, and cultural advocacy. Her voice highlights the importance of accessible dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and amplification of Indigenous perspectives in contemporary arts and critical discourse.