Mel Izanami was born and raised in Mexico, where he became aware of deep contradictions in his identity—contradictions that, over time, shaped not only his academic development but also his experience as an immigrant in Argentina. In this episode, he discusses how this relates to his artistic practice, and how technology can allow us to explore identity and culture in a more open way. 

NOTE: Mel preferred to speak mostly in Spanish, so those who speak only English may wish to check out this episode on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/cp-dcY4Eeq8 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/⁨@melizanami⁩ 

Portales Pasados Por Venir: https://360.portalesapasadosporvenir.com/

(Past Portals to Come) 

ICMI is an artist-run multi-arts organization that blends fresh creativity, traditional culture & knowledge, technology & the digital arts. We make spaces (in both the digital & real world) for artistic expression, cultural celebration & collaboration. 

Website: https://icmi.ca/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousCultureMediaInnovations 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indigenous-culture-media-innovations/ 

#Indigenousartist #Indigenous #Indigenouscultures #Indigenousproud 

Dr. Jules Koostachin is an award-winning producer & director who has created numerous documentaries and original narrative films. In this episode, she chats about the importance of story, the protocols surrounding them, and what it means to become part of the next generation of aunties. Many of her films can be found online through her Vimeo page or various streaming services. 

Jules' Website: https://juleskoostachin.com/ 

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user12458695 

WaaPaKe: https://www.nfb.ca/film/waapake-tomorrow/ 

Oshkikishikaw: A New Day - https://gem.cbc.ca/oshkikishikaw-a-new-day 

ICMI is an artist-run multi-arts organization that blends fresh creativity, traditional culture & knowledge, technology & the digital arts. We make spaces (in both the digital & real world) for artistic expression, cultural celebration & collaboration. 

Website: https://icmi.ca/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousCultureMediaInnovations 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indigenous-culture-media-innovations/ 

#Indigenousartist #Indigenous #Indigenouscultures #Indigenousproud 

Liz Barron joins Monique to discuss issues faced by Indigenous artists relating to the creation of their art and the protocols around art-making. Liz is a Producer, Consultant and Arts Manager based in Winnipeg, where she co-founded the Urban Shaman Gallery. Liz has managed several arts and culture not-for-profits, and works with CARFAC, where she's the Indigenous Protocols Program Manager and Podcast Host. 

https://www.indigenousprotocols.art/liz-barron

ICMI is an artist-run multi-arts organization that blends fresh creativity, traditional culture & knowledge, technology & the digital arts. We make spaces (in both the digital & real world) for artistic expression, cultural celebration & collaboration. 

Website: https://icmi.ca/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousCultureMediaInnovations 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indigenous-culture-media-innovations/ 

#Indigenousartist #Indigenous #Indigenouscultures #Indigenousproud 

 Clayton Windatt is a curator, multi-arts performer and filmmaker living and working in Ontario. As the former Executive Director of the White Water Gallery, Aboriginal Curatorial Collective and current Executive Director of the Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference, Clayton has an extensive history working in Artist-Run Culture and Community Arts. Clayton is also active in wrestling, where they are known as Russell Blackwell, aka Rusty Blackwell, the Backwoods Butcher! 

https://claytonwindatt.com/ 

https://www.rustyblackwell.com/ 

ICMI is an artist-run multi-arts organization that blends fresh creativity, traditional culture & knowledge, technology & the digital arts. We make spaces (in both the digital & real world) for artistic expression, cultural celebration & collaboration. 

Website: https://icmi.ca/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousCultureMediaInnovations 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indigenous-culture-media-innovations/ 

#Indigenousartist #Indigenous #Indigenouscultures #Indigenousproud 

Jonathan Dewar is the CEO of the FNIGC — the First Nations Information Governance Centre, an independent, apolitical, and technical non-profit organization operating with a special mandate from the Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs-in-Assembly (Resolution #48, December 2009). In this episode, he chats with Monique about the work they do, the importance of data sovereignty, and how the OCAP Principles are a guide for Indigenous peoples, communities and nations in asserting their rights. 

FNIGC website: https://fnigc.ca/ 

ICMI is an artist-run multi-arts organization that blends fresh creativity, traditional culture & knowledge, technology & the digital arts. We make spaces (in both the digital & real world) for artistic expression, cultural celebration & collaboration. 

Website: https://icmi.ca/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousCultureMediaInnovations 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indigenous-culture-media-innovations/ 

#Indigenousartist #Indigenous #Indigenouscultures #Indigenousproud 

 In this episode of InDigital Insights, host Monique Manatch continues her conversation with artist Harley Knife. They discuss the importance of stories, identity and culture, and how he seeks to inspire the next generation through imaginative visual storytelling. 

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7686533/ 

ICMI is an artist-run multi-arts organization that blends fresh creativity, traditional culture & knowledge, technology & the digital arts. We make spaces (in both the digital & real world) for artistic expression, cultural celebration & collaboration. 

Website: https://icmi.ca/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousCultureMediaInnovations 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indigenous-culture-media-innovations/ 

#Indigenousartist #Indigenous #Indigenouscultures #Indigenousproud 

In this episode of InDigital Insights, host Monique Manatch begins a conversation with artist Harley Knife following almost a decade of working in the 2D Animation industry. They discuss how he ended up in that industry, some details of his journey along the way, and how he seeks to inspire the next generation through imaginative visual storytelling. 

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7686533/ 

ICMI is an artist-run multi-arts organization that blends fresh creativity, traditional culture & knowledge, technology & the digital arts. We make spaces (in both the digital & real world) for artistic expression, cultural celebration & collaboration. 

Website: https://icmi.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousCultureMediaInnovations 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/indigenous-culture-media-innovations/ 

#Indigenousartist #Indigenous #Indigenouscultures #Indigenousproud 

In this episode of InDigital Insights, host Monique Manatch continues her conversation with Lou-ann Neel. Together, they examine the challenges of Indigenous identity and the “pretendian” phenomenon, reflecting on how colonial systems have shaped recognition and belonging. Lou-ann shares insights on lived experience, community claiming, and reciprocal citizenship, while also addressing systemic inequities in policy and healthcare. Through her creative practice, she demonstrates how art can provide resilience and reframe difficult narratives, offering pathways for future generations to carry cultural knowledge forward.

In this episode of InDigital Insights, host Monique Manatch speaks with Lou-ann Neel, a multidisciplinary artist and curator. They explore her journey through the arts, her role in Indigenous cultural revitalization, and how mentorship and digital tools sustain Indigenous knowledge.

Artist and cultural advocate Lou-ann Neel shares her journey from discovering traditional art as a child to shaping Indigenous governance, copyright reform, and repatriation practices. She reflects on the challenges of working within colonial systems, her decades of nonprofit leadership, and the importance of truth before reconciliation.