Internationally renowned and Stratford-based visual artist Maxine Noel is celebrated for her representations of the Indigenous woman as the embodiment of Mother Earth. She has used her art to unveil the untold stories of abused women and to promote history, culture, reconciliation and environmental stewardship. An advocate for emerging artists, she was a leading force behind the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation—now known as Indspire—and its awards program. A mentor and a volunteer, she continues to use art to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people across Canada.