Shannon Gustafson

Biography

Shannon Gustafson (Kiiwednong Kwe) is a member of Whitesand First Nation, Ontario. She was raised on Serpent River First Nation and now resides in Thunder Bay. Her artistic and creative nature stems from her childhood and is inspired by powwow culture. With the support of her family, Shannon is a full-time artist. She has a deep understanding of the importance of intergenerational transfer of traditional knowledge, which has led her to share her creative gifts with her husband, children and family. Her accomplishments and hardships, including the loss of her son, Jesse, have shaped and guided her artistic practice. Personal healing and cultural preservation are Shannon’s driving force. Her gifts have meaning and purpose, and she uses her art to reconnect with ceremony and to support her healing journey. A love of exploring and learning old Ojibwe cultural art forms has led her to incorporate traditional Ojibwe floral beadwork, pictographs, patterns and designs into her beadwork, leatherwork and textiles. A recipient of the Hnatyshyn Foundation REVEAL Indigenous Art Award in 2017 and numerous Ontario Arts Council grants, Shannon is grateful for the support and opportunities for continual learning and for the many blessings in her life. She is passionate and dedicated to Indigenous arts practices and will continue to inspire her community, her people and her nation for years to come.