About

Shé:kon,

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I am Indigenous, a member of the Mohawk nation, of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.  I have always possessed an inherent respect and deep appreciation for nature and the world around us.

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In December 2017, I suffered a life-altering stroke.  I am thankful that I avoided the two dire outcomes that were presented to my family while I laid in a coma in hospital, which were either death or the remainder of my life in a wheelchair requiring 24-hour care.  After eventually waking from the coma and leaving the hospital in a wheelchair, I started on the long road back.  I am now fully mobile but disabled due to severe memory and emotional issues.  In order to help aid with my memory deficiency, I began taking photographs daily to help me remember where I had been and what I had done throughout the days.  I think it was in 2020 that I was contacted by an educator here in my community who knew I was healing and somewhat isolated in my home with little interaction.  He said there was a workshop being offered on the reserve about creating a website and suggested I participate as a means to help get me out of the house.  I attended and decided to base my website on photography.  When completed, the instructor and some participants in the class who viewed my website thought I was an actual photographer, and I was encouraged to pursue photography.  So, I decided to try to focus on and learn about photography.  With support from the Ontario Arts Council and guidance and advice from professional photographer Deborah Samuel, who kindly agreed to mentor me during my initial years, I have been able to improve and build upon my photographic skills and knowledge.  Although I have to refer to my camera manuals and my notes daily due to my memory issues, I am grateful to be where I am at today. 

Over these past years my subject interests have expanded from images of pure nature and I now include themes that relate to our Indigenous culture and aspects of our story here on Turtle Island.  Almost all of the images on this site have been created over the past 3 to 5 years.  I have included with many of the images on the site, meaningful quotes from well-known historical figures and personalities. 

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Since the health event that I fortunately survived, I have developed an even greater appreciation for all aspects of life and the world around me.  I am grateful for all that I have experienced, and I look forward to the challenges in the remaining days ahead.

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Nia:wen,

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