Long before there was a Canada to tell stories about, this land was home to stories already being shared. They were carried through language, song, ceremony, art, and oral tradition, passed from one generation to the next and rooted in a deep relationship with the land and one another. Those stories continue today, reminding us that understanding this country begins with listening to the people who have known it longest.
We’re honoured to feature Lance Cardinal in this series. He is an award-winning Cree artist, educator, television host, and miniaturist, and he uses his creativity to celebrate Indigenous culture, language, and community while inviting others to learn through curiosity and joy. Whether he’s carving, painting, teaching, or sharing stories on screen, his work reflects a belief that art has the power to bring people together and create space for connection across cultures.
In his reflections, Lance speaks about Turtle Island, kinship, and the communities that have shaped him. He shares what it meant to receive national recognition for Indigenous storytelling, why his Cree identity is inseparable from the artist he has become, and the importance of carrying your own traditions while making space for others. His work is a beautiful reminder that some of the strongest communities are built not by asking people to become the same, but by honouring the stories each of us brings with us.
You’ll find Lance’s Little Me in Little West Coast alongside an even smaller version of the Cree hand drum that won him the ‘Symbol of Canada’ challenge in season 3 of Best in Miniature, a piece inspired by this land and the stories it holds. You can also find Lance on our Contributor Stories wall, just before you arrive in Little West Coast, where his creativity has become a lasting part of Little Canada’s story.
What does “being Canadian” mean to you, personally?
For me as a First Nations person, I always see Canada (the place our people call Turtle Island) as a large community of people who all want to share this land, protect Mother Earth and live our lives in a good way.
Can you share a moment when you felt deeply connected to this country or its people?
I think a big moment for me was when I won my CANADIAN SCREEN AWARD for my TV show, Indigenous Art Adventures on APTN, winning “Best Children’s or Youth non-fiction program or series”. It really showed me that people cared about Indigenous content, that there was a value in our language and our traditions. I felt so loved and seen and connected to everyone, it was amazing.
Is there a part of your story that you think reflects something uniquely Canadian? Or something you could only have accomplished here?
I think being an Indigenous person on this land makes me very uniquely Canadian. My Cree lineage, my cultural roots, my wahkotiwin (kin) are all on this land. A lot of my artwork is reflection of my life in this place so I definitely could not be the same artist I am today if I live somewhere else and didn’t have that connection.
What values guide how you show up in your community or work, and where did those values come from?
Where I come from in Bigstone Cree territory, people gather from many communities to attend round dances, or tea dances, or pow wows, just to stay connected and uplifted. We dance around the fire, we laugh together, we visit, we sing, we cry, we drink tea and tell stories. This is how I approach my art work. I like to create visual stories that people can gather around and share the experience together, no matter what community you come from.
If someone reading this is still figuring out their place in Canada, what would you want them to know?
My best advice for new guests to Turtle Island is to always remember where you come from. Bring with you all that you learned in life, keep your spirit filled with all your beliefs and traditions of your ancestors. Find a community that will help nurture you and your family in a good way. Remember there’s no wrong way to live your own life, and here we believe that everyone deserves that freedom.