Graham Paradis
Assistant Researcher
Graham (he/him) is Michif/Wiisaakodewin from Penetanguishene with ancestral ties to the Métis homelands, specifically Lesser Lakes Lake, AB and the Red River Settlement. He is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Graham has been beading since 2012 as a self-taught artist and started mentoring under Naomi Smith (Chippewas of Nawash, Neyaashiiningmiing Unceded Territory) in 2014. His beadwork and quillwork have been feautured at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Art Mur, the PAMA Museum, Guelph Civic Museum, the Niagara Falls History Museum, and the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. Giniw is Red/Green colour blind which at times gives his beadwork an interesting and unique colour palette. He presently serves on the Indigenous Arts Committee of the Toronto Arts Council. Graham is one of Archipel’s leading facilitators, having conducted dozens of interviews and focus groups with Indigenous communities, organizations, artists, culture carriers, and elders.