About
What does it mean to work in collaboration, and how do groups come together in mutual respect and shared goals to build and sustain community?
Jean Marshall (Anishinaabe/English bead artist), Sheila DeCorte (Ojibwe Knowledge Keeper), Kathryn Walter (textiles) and Connie Chisholm (furniture) will talk about two important projects they have worked on through the Thunder Bay Public Library Indigenous Knowledge Centre. Moderated by Janna Hiemstra, Executive Director, Craft Ontario.
Co-presented by Sheridan College and Craft Ontario.
About Jean Marshall

Jean Marshall is of Anishinaabe/English descent, based in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation band member. An award-winning artist, her art practice uses Anishnaabeg’s traditional art forms and is inspired by the land and water. Marshall works with beads, fabric, porcupine quills and leather. She is also the founder of the Anemki Art Collective (2015-2020). Marshall has curated several exhibitions, including Their Breath in Beads at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery (2019), the Northwestern Ontario Spotlight for Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (2020) and co-curator for the Piitwewetam Exhibition 2021 at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.
About Kathryn Walter

Inspired by her family’s history in the felt industry, Kathryn Walter founded FELT, her own company and label, in 2000. She has since worked almost exclusively with manufactured felts through commissions, exhibitions and a product line, as artist, designer, director and maker. Drawing on her prior experience in sculpture and site-specific installation, she has focused on interiors, and developed projects for residential, commercial and institutional sites, working with architects and interior designers across North America. Recent work includes mentoring and collaborations in educational and community environments where she shares materials and experience with interest in collective creativity.
About Sheila DeCorte

Sheila DeCorte is an Ojibwe Elder and knowledge keeper from Animkii Wajiw (Thunder Mountain/Mount McKay) in Fort William First Nation in the Robinson Superior Treaty Territory of 1850. Her Spirit name is Niibin Giimiwan (Summer Rain), and she is from the Turtle Clan. DeCorte was born and raised in Fort William/Thunder Bay, Ontario. She retired from the Federal Public Service in January 2020 to allow her the freedom to follow her cultural spirit wherever that may lead her. Her Anishinaabe way of living continues to pull her into many culturally related areas, including walking for water. She was first called to the water in 2017 when she joined the water walkers, “For the Earth and Water,” which later brought forward a vision to bring water down from Loc Lomond Lake, located on the sacred mountain of Anemki Wajiw, to help bring healing to the local rivers. With the support and guidance from the late Grandmother Josephine Mandamin, “For Love of the Rivers” water walks began in 2018 and continue today as “For Love of the Rivers 2.0,” following a commitment and promise to continue the work that our Grandmother Water Walker started in 2003.
About Connie Chisholm

Connie Chisholm has extensive teaching experience in design and making, having taught at Sheridan College’s furniture program for ten years and, more recently, the Industrial Design program at OCAD University. Connie is also the principal of Codesign, a social enterprise that brings post-secondary design students together with Canadian communities to work on projects of mutual benefit locally. Chishlom has travelled extensively in North America, Australia, Europe and West Africa, including a six-month placement volunteering in a small rural village in The Gambia.
About Janna Hiemstra

Janna Hiemstra began working for Craft Ontario in 2007 and became Executive Director in 2017. Over fifteen years with the organization, she has established extensive connections with the community. She has grained in-depth knowledge of the organization’s structure, history and potential for moving forward as an arts service organization. With a background in philosophy, curatorial practice and ceramic studio assistant, Hiemstra brings a wealth of cultural sector knowledge and strategic thinking to support Craft Ontario’s vision and goals. She has successfully worked with the Board staff, members, supporters and volunteers to vision the organization’s mission and mandate and deliver a renewed strategic plan alongside financial stabilization, and is both grateful and determined to focus on 2022 and beyond to continue strengthening Craft Ontario’s vital role as a champion of craft.