“Halfbreed” by Artist Nahanni McKay

Staff 2026-04-20 09:00:00 www.booooooom.com A series tracing family history and confronting the bureaucratic labeling of Indigenous identities in Canadian history by Métis artist Nahanni McKay. Based on Treaty 7 Territory, in Mînî Hrpa (Banff) and Mohkínstsis (Calgary), Nahanni is a member of Otipemisiwak (Métis Nation of Alberta), which deeply inspires her work. She produces sculptures, images, and beadwork that takes the shape of spirits around her hometown. Her artwork reflects her interests in the human impact of the natural environment, the beauty of her hometown, and how the mountains attract a colonial desire, often turning nature into a commodity. “Halfbreed” was created in response to the anxiety surrounding Indigenious identity, beginning when Nahanni encountered the term “pretendian”. The project reflects Nahanni’s personal questioning around how Indigenous identity is validated, challenged, or denied both publicly and privately. “I always knew I was Métis. I grew up with my dad making bannock, teaching us to paddle and even having my first buckskin coat made for me the second I was born. It wasn’t until during an artist residency at the Banff Centre, I researched my family history and traced my Métis ancestry to the Red River Settlement in Manitoba. Archival documents revealed that my great-grandparents were recorded using the colonial term ‘halfbreed’. For this work, I retrace my grandfather’s birth certificate, emphasizing the discriminatory language and digitally tracing it onto my photographs of Regina Beach, Saskatchewan where my family is from. This brings together an archive, a landscape, and my family history to confront the bureaucratic labeling of Indigenous identity. When applying for a gallery there is always a check box where it usually says in some sort of manner “are you Indigenous?” But if you just look at the work it tells you what I am… I’m a Halfbreed.” Take your watercolor artistry to new heights with the Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set, now available for only $61.82, a fantastic 46% off its original price! With over 7,971 ratings and a 4.7-star average, this set, which includes 45 vibrant half pans, is a must-have for both beginners and experienced artists. Whether you’re working on landscapes, portraits, or abstract creations, the professional-grade pigments provide rich, lasting color that brings your work to life. Don’t miss out, order now for only $61.82 at Amazon! Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress. As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you! Please read the Privacy and Security Disclaimer on how Techcratic handles your support. Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, Techcratic may earn from qualifying purchases.