The Street Banners program aims to highlight local artists, enhance urban spaces and where possible, provide context to the area and activities that occur within the community.

Future Ancestors

“I want people who see these Star blanket designs and the cosmos, celestial bodies, to be reminded that we are star people, that we come from the stars, and that we are all connected. No matter where we come from, or where we currently are, we can look up at the skies and be reminded and feel connected to our ancestors and our communities. I choose really bright colours in my work so they have a sense of joy and playfulness that is often missing in urban spaces. I want us to be reminded that we are a continuation and embodiment of our ancestors and that we are future ancestors.”

About the Artist:

Michelle Sound is a Cree and Métis artist, educator and mother. She is a member of Wapsewsipi/Swan River First Nation in Treaty 8 Territory, Northern Alberta and she was born and raised on the unceded and ancestral home territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She is a multidisciplinary visual artist and her art practice includes a variety of mediums including photo based work, textiles, painting and Indigenous material practices. Her artwork often explores her Cree and Métis identity from a personal experience rooted in family, place and history.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University, School for the Contemporary Arts, and a Master of Applied Arts from Emily Carr University Art + Design. Michelle is currently an Indigenous Advisor at Douglas College and has taught workshops as a guest artist at the Richmond Art Gallery and the Contemporary Art Gallery.

Learn More About the Artist

Michelle Sound's banners  are in Queensborough, Sapperton, Park Crescent and Twelfth Street.

Check out more Street Banners 2022-2023 artists:

Sandra Yuen

Janice Wu