Joi T. Arcand creates digital photo work that blends identity and nostalgia, and past and present. By digitally altering outdated imagery, she creates new conversations around Indigenous representation in popular culture. Raised in her home community of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan, Arcand lives in Saskatoon. She is artistic director and founder of kimiwan 'zine, a publication for Indigenous artists. Her mentor, Mary Longman, is a visual artist and a Professor of Aboriginal Art History, University of Saskatchewan. You can see Joi's work at the Mendel Art Gallery from April 11 to June 15 and at Wanuskewin until May 15th. We caught up to Joi between exhibits for a quick Q&A. 

As an artist, what does it mean to you to have a show at Wanuskewin and at the Mendel Art gallery at the same time?

It means a lot to me to have my work shown in these two places in Saskatchewan. I grew up on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and moved to Saskatoon when I was 18 to attend the University of Saskatchewan. I've shown work across Canada but it always means more to show it close to home, near the places that inspire me the most. The show at Wanuskewin is my first solo exhibition of past work in Saskatoon and the show at the Mendel was a great opportunity to show Saskatoon what I've been up to recently.

This is a difficult question, but what is your inspiration? What pushes you to create what you do?

My inspiration is my family and sharing our stories. I want to disrupt the existing stereotypes about Indigenous people in the media by sharing my personal stories. 

As editor of kimiwan zine, you see lots of artists from different genres. How would you describe the state of Aboriginal arts in Saskatchewan? Healthy? Underfunded? Amazing?

Indigenous art has always been strong in Saskatchewan, but the arts are always underfunded - which forces artists to work in other professions just to pay bills. Art that is being created by young people is so exciting right now as technology and other media are more readily available to use as forms of self-expression. The opportunities are endless, if you use the tools that you have at your disposal. You don't necessarily need expensive high-tech equipment to tell a story, you can make a short film or animation with a cell phone and upload it to Youtube. Yes to more funding!

How do we create more artists?

We are all born as artists; it is usually the school system and external forces that stifle our inherent creativity as we grow older. Art needs to once again become recognized as essential to a healthy society - Indigenous cultures have always believed that art and life are not separate. Someone who chooses art as a career is not taking the easy route, so there needs to be support in place to encourage them not to quit!

Be sure to check out the exhibits and visit Arcand's website.