Mi’kmaq Artist Shianne Gould on Art as Healing
In this Friends United video interview, Mi’kmaq artist Shianne Gould speaks with Nancy Regan about painting, healing, culture, family, and reconciliation.
Filmed at the Friends United International Convention Centre in Unama’ki, Cape Breton, this conversation explores how art became a way for Shianne to express emotion, honour Mother Nature, and share meaningful messages rooted in Mi’kmaq culture.
Video: 30 minutes, English – Watch on YouTube
About This Conversation
Shianne Gould began painting at a young age and describes art as both a creative calling and a healing practice. In this conversation with Nancy Regan, she reflects on how painting helped her express emotions she could not easily put into words.
She speaks about her love of painting Mother Nature, the influence of Mi’kmaq culture, and the importance of keeping traditional knowledge, stories, and imagery alive through art.
Art, Family, and Collaboration
A central part of the interview is Shianne’s relationship with her mother, Loretta Gould, a recognized Mi’kmaq artist. Shianne explains how they have inspired one another creatively and how their artistic paths have grown side by side.
The conversation also touches on a collaborative painting by Shianne and Loretta, with Shianne describing the strong warrior woman at the centre of the work and the protective wolf imagery connected to her dreams.
Healing, Truth, and Reconciliation
Shianne speaks openly about residential school trauma, intergenerational pain, and the role art has played in her own healing. She describes painting with emotion and explains how truth, culture, and creativity are connected in her work.
Her reflections offer a powerful view of reconciliation not as an abstract idea, but as something lived through family, community, storytelling, support, and the rebuilding of cultural strength.
Friends United’s Role
Shianne also shares how Friends United has supported her family and artistic journey. She describes the Friends United International Convention Centre as a place of culture, inspiration, motivation, and encouragement.
Through access to art supplies, mentorship, business opportunities, and ongoing support, Friends United has helped create space for Mi’kmaq artists like Shianne and Loretta Gould to continue developing and sharing their work.
In this conversation
- Mi’kmaq artist Shianne Gould speaks with Nancy Regan at the Friends United International Convention Centre in Unama’ki, Cape Breton.
- Shianne shares how she began creating art as a child through doodling, sketching, chalk, and eventually painting.
- She describes painting as an emotional and healing practice that helped her express feelings she could not easily put into words.
- Shianne talks about painting Mother Nature and the importance of respecting the land and Mi’kmaq culture.
- The conversation addresses residential school trauma, intergenerational pain, and the loss of language and cultural knowledge.
- Shianne reflects on her close creative relationship with her mother, Loretta Gould, and how they continue to inspire each other as artists.
- She discusses a collaborative painting with Loretta, featuring a strong Mi’kmaq warrior woman, protective wolf imagery, and Loretta’s recognizable trees.
- Shianne speaks about Indigenous women, leadership, entrepreneurship, and her growing work as a full-time artist.
- She shares how meaningful it is that people now wear her artwork as tattoo designs.
- Shianne talks about her dream of opening a gallery in her community and teaching art classes for others.
- She says her hope for reconciliation is truth, because truth can lead to healing, strength, and positive change.
- Shianne describes Friends United as a place of culture, motivation, support, inspiration, and real encouragement for Indigenous artists.
People and context
Video information
Series: Second Annual Reconciliation Talks
Title: Shianne Gould on Mi’kmaq Art, Mother Nature and Healing | Friends United
Interview with: Shianne Gould and Nancy Regan
Language: English
Length: 30 minutes
Location: Friends United International Convention Centre, Unama’ki, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
YouTube URL: Watch the Video on YouTube
Published: April 16, 2024
Main topics: Mi’kmaq art, Mother Nature, art as healing, residential school trauma, intergenerational trauma, family, Loretta Gould, female leadership, tattoo designs, Indigenous entrepreneurship, Friends United, cultural support, truth, reconciliation, and hope.
Chapters: Friends United Anthem, Art From Emotion, Welcome To Reconciliation Talks, How Shianne Started Painting, Painting With Mom Loretta, Nature Themes And Mi’kmaq Roots, Residential School Trauma, Art As Healing Practice, Finding Inspiration And Flow, Motherhood And Truth, Recognition And Giving Back, Collaboration Painting Breakdown, Women Leading In Community, Tattoo Designs And Business, Full-Time Artist Life, Mom’s Airport Milestone, Hopes For Future And Gallery, Friends United Impact, Closing Friends United.