"Decolonizing Identity: Growing Up Mixed Race in Canada" Talk on 6/25

As part of June’s La Ceiba Festival, we shift the lens to Canada with a focus on mixed race identity. Writer, Director and Producer Adeline Bird shares her short film, Nappy Hair and an Eagle Feather, for special viewing on our website from June 24-27th. The film follows Maleena, the only mixed race student in her school who experiences racism from her school friends, but does not understand why.

On Thursday, June 25th, she joins Jade Harper, Founder of SpiritFusion, for a live talk on “Decolonizing Identity: Growing Up Mixed Race in Canada.”

Adeline Bird

Adeline Bird is a Afro-indigenous content creator, filmmaker, and producer, who is a member of treaty four territory Rolling River First Nations, but resides and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

Adeline is a graduate of the National Screening Institutes Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) New Indigenous Voices program where she made her directorial debut with her first short film, Nappy Hair and Eagle Feather, which is featured on CBC Gem. 

Adeline was named one of the 2018 Imgainative APTN pitch winners for a web series titled "iNdigiThreads" and a 2019 "Talent to Watch" with Telefilm.  She is the author of the book, Be Unapologetically You: A Self-Love Guide for Women of Color, which is available on Amazon. 

Jade Harper

Jade Harper is anishinabekwe and nihiyaw from Peguis First Nation, Treaty 1 territory (aka Manitoba, Canada) and her maternal grandfathers family were Icelandic settlers, now identify as Icelandic Canadians. 

Jade lived her early years between Winnipeg, Selkirk, Matlock and Riverton, all rural communities in Manitoba. She was raised on the land learning about agriculture, ceremony as well she lived in the urban centre of Winnipeg. Jade shares music with her hand drum and songs that she has learned over 25 years that are rooted in healing, honouring and celebration. 

Jade is Founder of SpiritFusion, a community space that shares and promotes ancestral knowledge through wellness, social media and program facilitation & development. Jade incorporates her ancestral culture into her work to ensure that the processes she facilitates are celebratory and respectful of Indigenous communities and peoples.