A conversation with Skeena MLA Ellis Ross

"Northern Conversations" had the honour of interviewing Skeena MLA Ellis Ross  this past week. We reflected on his background & reviewed some of his principles & values that have helped develop his phenomenal leadership skills. We can't wait to chat again soon! 

#artrouteblue #bcpoli #cdnpoli

Adam Olsen - MLA Saanich North & the Islands - A conversation about Indigenous Relations in BC

We chat with Adam Olsen, MLA Saanich North & the Islands, Interim Green Party Leader, and have a great conversation about Indigenous Relations in BC. 

Highway Art Wayfinder Queen Lorrie Flemming

Listen to an inspirational conversation with Lorrie Flemming (https://artrouteblue.com/art-writer-lorrie-flemming/) and Artist, Project Manager and art educator, Michelle Loughery (https://michelleloughery.org/).

We chat about Route 66 and the emergent projects emanating from these two inspiring women aligning Indigenous peoples stories with new age digital highways and communities. 

Michelle Loughery - Master Artist - Creative Rural Community Consultant - Creative Economy Strategist

Artist, Project Manager and art educator, Michelle Loughery (https://michelleloughery.org/) has worked in the field of community public art for 30 years and has created hundreds of large-scale fine art murals and projects. Loughery approaches large-scale art without use of grid or projectors and in addition to accepting commissions for public, corporate and private murals.  

Generation two of Loughery's work offers a unique community WAYFINDER artworks digital rural employment strategies. This signature original program enlists youth and elders in the community as apprentices, and trains them in the techniques of art and digital story telling while leaving social, economic and tourism benefits behind. 

• Listen in this podcast to our self-identified "small town coal mining girl" (based in Vernon)
• we chat about mural & public art and how this activity changes communities , specifically in this podcast First Nations Communities
• Michelle reviewed numerous projects that have positively impacted First Nations Youth including:
  • Premier's Artwork Charity Foundation - a charity (6 million was raised) whose revenue was directed towards trades & employment training for First Nations Youth
  • Wayfinder Public Art Project (https://michelleloughery.org/wayfinder-way-the-philosophy/) - using art to bring communities together & helping First Nations Youth learn job skills thru art and helping them stay and live in their communities
  • https://artrouteblue.com/

How to contact Michelle:

• https://www.exploregoldcountry.com/
• twitter - @mlougherymurals
• facebook - @artrouteblue
• instagram - @artrouteblue @mlougheryphotography @artistmichelleloughery
• linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleloughery/ 

#wanderingwildartist #explorerouteblue #artistmichelleloughery #wayfinderart #Wayfinderart #Walltalk #artroutes #artrouteblue #artrouteCanada #destinationmuraltown #BIGART

Lisa Mueller - Founder and Creator of Nation2Nation Events

We're very excited and honoured at the Northern Conversations podcast (http://www.northernconversations.com/) to start off 2020 by interviewing First Nations leader and visionary Lisa Mueller. Lisa is the Founder and Creator of Nation2Nation Events (https://nation2nation.ca/) and CEO of Mueller Consulting. She is an aboriginal consultant, community builder & workshop facilitator recognized as a young & upcoming voice and connector in the First Nation Community in BC. Lisa is based in Stewart B.C. and we engaged in a wide ranging dialogue about the origins and objectives of the extremely popular Nation2Nation conference recently held October 23rd - 25th in Terrace, B.C. 

We hope to next hear from Lisa after the January 14 UNDRIP 2020 conference (http://undrip2020.ca/) in Vancouver. Nation2Nation is a major event sponsor of this conference.

Lyle Henry - Relationships between First Nations & Lower Vancouver Island Industry - An Overview

Lyle Henry, Employment Councillor, Songhees Nation

An introduction to employment relationships and opportunities between 1st Nations Communities and Industry on Lower Vancouver Island.