Creative Mornings | Michelle Nahanee

Michelle Lorna Nahanee is an Indigenous innovator and change-maker from the Squamish Nation. She grew up in Eslha7an, and then East Vancouver, and works within the intersection of class, race, culture and creativity. She is the founder of decolonizingpractices.org and the designer of a life-size board game and workshop called Sínulhkay and Ladders. As a communications consultant and graphic artist, Michelle has worked on social justice projects for First Nations organizations across Canada and also within her own Nation. From health promotion to gender equity, Michelle’s collaborations have influenced opinions, changed behaviours and mobilized community action. She is a supportive leader who is most comfortable behind the scenes—contributing to projects that improve First Nations realities for the last 20 years. Michelle recently completed a Master of Arts in Communication from Simon Fraser University where she wrote “Decolonizing Identity: Indian Girl to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Matriarch.” She concluded her research with a call to dismantle academic barriers to decolonizing practices. Michelle is also the Board Chair of Kwi Awt Stelmexw, a Squamish arts and education organization.