Indian Art From The Edge

“Hello friends of Marylee (See also FB On the jog: Marylee) and fans of Margaret Atwood, I just love the latter's Substack, info below -- it is a great combo of her love of birds and support through the Substack of the Pelee Island Bird Observatory, as well as her serious writing (on the rise of authoritarian governance, drawing on her studies of the French Revolution --the "Revie, as she refers to it), plus humour, smart remarks and on-site pics taken and described with her tongue characteristically placed in cheek. do check it out, do sign up, modest cost and all supports PIBO itself! Join the crowd- birders, readers, writers, generally distinctive folks such as me, you -- and your friends!”

LEONARD JAMES McKAY
June 21, 1972 – October 10, 2023
A man of courage, artistic vision, humour, kindness—
Proud of his Indigenous heritage and spirit –
Respected, cherished, and mourned
(ms- IAFTE)

Lenard passed away in his home. We met in 2007, as I asked him about his carvings. He sat in the street late at night and I would often pass by on my way home from my office. As I learned more about his work and the difficulties of working in such difficult conditions, and of the problems faced by Indigenous artists – particularly street-based ones – in marketing their work, the idea for Indian Art from the Edge formed. Lenard was always an active participant and he was a mainstay in shows and events that were presented by IAFTE. He was well-known to area workers and passers-by as he sat on an office entryway, often with fellow carvers. His art was appreciated and his interactions with every one were kind, informative, and enjoyable. He was treasured and indeed much missed. There was a full end-of-life ceremony for Leonard, in his Coast Salish Nation home community.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to provide a comment about your own appreciation of Len’s work and way of knowing those who loved it.
With thanks and respect,
Marylee Stephenson, owner/curator, Indian Art From The Edge - [email protected]

the big Christmas Craft Fair at Lonsdale Quay- this Sunday, Nov. 12!!!
Hello friends of the works of Indigenous artists affiliated with the on-line gallery, Indian Art From The Edge – Join artists Alex Mountain and Christian Turo at the table, glad to chat with you about their works – and I’ll be there, too, happy to show these wide variety of styles and pieces! best to all from Marylee curator/gallerist.

Hi friends – near and far—
Just wanted to let you know that the office space in my building is up for rental! This is in Quayside Village Cohousing, a self-managed condo building in North Vancouver. Here is the poster we are sending around. It lists our gmail contact, but feel free to contact me directly if you want -- we are working together on getting the word out, answering questions, showing you around – all that kind of thing. Please check out the poster and feel free to send it on! ( and sorry for any duplicate postings – some of you are on more than one of my lists!

Best to all!
Marylee

great meeting with Len McKay and Alex Mountain -- acquiring their distinctive carved feathers -- building up the collection for corporate client's gifts to honour their international visitors.

hi, there -- still time to sign up -- easy to reach SFU downtown if you're anywhere in Metro Vancouver -- love to have you in the class!

So important to know in saving the land in every part of it, for everyone!

Neonic Nation: Is Widespread Pesticide Use Connected to Grassland Bird Declines? Neonicotinoids are America's most used class of pesticides, found in the vast majority of the nation's corn crop and nearly half of soybeans. Given such pervasive use, their effects on songbirds—impacting critical functions like metabolism, reproduction, and migration—are troubling.

i gave up on posting the poster for the Indigenous Market at SFU (see below postings) -- but here's the website for it! https://events.sfu.ca/event/29472-indigenous-market

and here's the poster for the SFU Indigenous Market, this Wednesday the 29th.

Proud to be at SFU Indigenous Student Centre's Indigenous Market -- this Wednesday -- with Coast Salish carver Len McKay and Haida carver Alex Mountain! drop on by -- 11-5 pm.

i'm kind of caught on the utility of this website, in that the content is unlinked to the purchasing program (the "add to shopping cart" part.) it is some compatibility problem. the folks who put it together no longer exist (put together in 2007 or so, though content added until very recently). if anyone has suggestions or skills to advise me on this or even work on it, please send be a DM-- or to the email @ [email protected]. best to all and thanks for your attention to the art and the artists! (marylee, owner/curator).

meeting with Alex Mountain (Mamallakula) and Len McKay (Coast Salish) at the Waterfront Station today -- catch up a little, take on several of their carved feathers. With the cruise ships and lifting of most covid restrictions, walk-by business is improving for them-- it's never easy for street-based artists!

Hi friends, this is such a beautiful and important place -- the Pelee Island Bird Observatory, in the southernmost part of Canada! I've been going there for many years! It also is a research and education centre for tracing the well-being (and problems ) of migratory birds and down-home birds, too. This auction is extremely diverse – dinner with Margaret Atwood, big trips, small jewels, a collection of books by the sadly missed, Graeme Gibson -- some spectacular Indigenous paintings and carvings (donated on behalf of Indian Art From the Edge) -- so please check it out – you have just until May 17!! Don't miss a treasure and do and help our terribly vulnerable bird life!
LINK TO CATALOGUE: https://app.galabid.com/pibo2022/items

GalaBid - Silent Auction Software, Fundraising for Charity Raise money for school, charity & non-profit organisations online through silent auction software, raffle, donations and auction services platforms, including items on consignment.

looks great -- and not only on MOthers' Day!

Spoken Treasures - Celebrating Our Mother's https://www.aboriginalecotours.com/tours/aboriginal-eco-tours/vancouver/events/spoken-treasures-indigenous-womens-history-walking-tour-for-women-only

good visit on this sunny Easter (etc) day with carvers Alex Mountain of Mamalilikula First Nation and Len McKay, Coast Nations carver. nice to have the sunshine, more people visiting -- hoping for an increase in folks buying the beautiful works being done right here in downtown Vancouver!!

just flagging this: "The Trans Mountain pipeline is not built yet.
Join Tsleil-Waututh Nation Sacred Trust and allies at to rally this Saturday, April 9 at 11:00 a.m. outside the Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St)
Dogwood reports that unrelenting anti-pipeline pressure has forced the Trudeau government to cut off taxpayer funding, making Trans Mountain weaker than it’s ever been. Unless private investors step in, pipeline construction can’t continue.
The rally will feature powerful Indigenous leaders from across the continent including Mi’kmaw lawyer Pam Palmater, Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’moks, former Mohawk Grand Chief Serge Simon, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation."

finally a little sun -- here are Len McKay and Chris Turo hard at work downtown. and me hanging out for a few minutes. and I want to say again that there is such sadness from the recent loss of Len's mother, YaYa Suzy McKay. She always would post these postings and now we can't look forward to them.

hey, hope you'll join me for World Story Telling Day -- this Sunday, 20th, 7 pm. Zoom, so just click on the eventbrite link on the picture below - registration required, donations welcome (going toward Ukrainians in need), but not required.

good visit with Salish carver Len McKay --acquiring some of his very welcome feather creations. (Message me for price, other details.)

great visit with Salish carver, Len McKay -- Feb 1, downtown - distanced, masked. and here are some of his latest eagle feathers -- from 6" to 18" -- on red cedar with stain/wax and acrylic colouring. Message me for details, price, etc. wonderful treasures and gifts!

wherever you are -- please do what you can to encourage and support such important work -- even more needed in covid times, not to mention plain ol' cold and rain and snow.

BETTE’S BOUTIQUE
305 Main St. | 9am-11pm daily

Bette’s Boutique is open to all women, including transwomen, two-spirit and cis, to access clothing, food hampers, hygiene products, cleaning supplies and more...or just to rest. Housing Outreach and access to support services are also available onsite.

great quickie visit with carvers Alex Mountain and Len McKay -- hoping for a better year, but have survived pretty well in this one (pic taken Dec. 23, at Lonsdale Quay.)