2026 Indigenous Artist
Robert Spade, indigenous artist
Robert is an Assistant Professor at McGill University's Schulich School of Music and serves as Senior Indigenous Cultural Advisor at McGill University.
Boozhoo! Keeshigoonininii ndishnikaz. Name nindodem. Namaygoosiszaagigan nindoonjii.
I have introduced myself to you in Anishinabemowin. My Ojibwe/spirit name is 'Heaven Man'. I am from the sturgeon clan and I am from northern Anishinabe territory.
I grew up out on the land. My earliest years were spent in a prospector tent with my parents, Beatrice and Richard. I remember moving around a lot...our home was everywhere.
Despite the challenges that a person goes through having faced the most violent forms of colonialism, including residential school, my father was a kind and generous man. He had many gifts that he shared with me, including art and Anishinabe teachings.
As an Anishinabeininii, I follow a traditional way of life with my partner, Celeste, an Anishinabekwe from Treaty 3. I am a pipe carrier, sun dancer, traditional dancer, and drum keeper. These roles and responsibilities are very important to my family and I.
Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to work with several organizations and community organizations delivering culture and arts-based education, counselling and support, cultural sensitivity training, arts-based healing, and ceremonial help. I feel honoured to share what I have learned with people from all walks of life.
I spent the beginning of my adulthood working in the bush in northern Ontario, doing various jobs like tree thinning and planting, guiding, and firefighting. I then moved to into a more urban environment, where I began a 7-year career working full-time as a child and youth worker within the primary school system. During this time, I also worked with young offenders and Indigenous males in alcohol and addictions treatment programs. In 2012, I left full-time employment outside of my home to be a stay at home dad so that my partner could complete her Ph.D. In 2019, as a life-long learner, I enrolled in part-time studies at Laurentian University.
I am also a practicing multi-disciplinary artist who enjoys painting, beadwork and song-writing.
2026 Indigenous Artist
Robert Spade, indigenous artist
Robert is an Assistant Professor at McGill University's Schulich School of Music and serves as Senior Indigenous Cultural Advisor at McGill University.
Boozhoo! Keeshigoonininii ndishnikaz. Name nindodem. Namaygoosiszaagigan nindoonjii.
I have introduced myself to you in Anishinabemowin. My Ojibwe/spirit name is 'Heaven Man'. I am from the sturgeon clan and I am from northern Anishinabe territory.
I grew up out on the land. My earliest years were spent in a prospector tent with my parents, Beatrice and Richard. I remember moving around a lot...our home was everywhere.
Despite the challenges that a person goes through having faced the most violent forms of colonialism, including residential school, my father was a kind and generous man. He had many gifts that he shared with me, including art and Anishinabe teachings.
As an Anishinabeininii, I follow a traditional way of life with my partner, Celeste, an Anishinabekwe from Treaty 3. I am a pipe carrier, sun dancer, traditional dancer, and drum keeper. These roles and responsibilities are very important to my family and I.
Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to work with several organizations and community organizations delivering culture and arts-based education, counselling and support, cultural sensitivity training, arts-based healing, and ceremonial help. I feel honoured to share what I have learned with people from all walks of life.
I spent the beginning of my adulthood working in the bush in northern Ontario, doing various jobs like tree thinning and planting, guiding, and firefighting. I then moved to into a more urban environment, where I began a 7-year career working full-time as a child and youth worker within the primary school system. During this time, I also worked with young offenders and Indigenous males in alcohol and addictions treatment programs. In 2012, I left full-time employment outside of my home to be a stay at home dad so that my partner could complete her Ph.D. In 2019, as a life-long learner, I enrolled in part-time studies at Laurentian University.
I am also a practicing multi-disciplinary artist who enjoys painting, beadwork and song-writing.
2026 Indigenous Artist