Indigenous Artists

Angie Saltman is a Red River Métis artist, entrepreneur, and member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. While many people know her through her work in technology, design, and communications, art has been part of her life for as long as she can remember. She describes herself as a deeply visual person who experiences the world through images, stories, and patterns. Creating art has become both a form of cultural expression and a personal journey of healing, reflection, and reconnection.

Angie is the founder of Aanji, an Indigenous art business built around themes of change, renewal, cultural reconnection, and language revitalization. The name Aanji comes from the Anishinaabe language and means “change” and “renewal,” chosen to honour her ancestors and support her ongoing journey of learning, healing, and reclaiming cultural connections through art. Through Aanji, Angie creates original artwork inspired by her Métis and Anishinaabe roots, sharing stories, teachings, and perspectives that invite reflection, conversation, and connection.

Inspired by family stories, Indigenous teachings, language, horses, wildlife, and the natural world, Angie’s artwork explores identity, belonging, relationships, and our responsibility to future generations. She believes that art carries memory, meaning, and knowledge in ways that words sometimes cannot, helping people reconnect with culture, community, and themselves.

Professionally, Angie has spent more than two decades working in technology, graphic design, and digital communications, and is the founder of Saltmedia and a partner in IT Horizons.

Len Morissette is a proud member of Mistawasis First Nation in Saskatchewan and an award-winning Indigenous filmmaker, photographer, writer, and creative entrepreneur. Growing up urban Indigenous, Len has spent much of his career exploring the power of storytelling to strengthen communities, share Indigenous perspectives, and preserve important stories for future generations.

In 2011, Len founded C.I.A. Solutions, a majority Indigenous-owned film and advertising company based in northern Alberta. Since then, he and his team have produced more than 200 commercials, films, documentaries, and music videos, working with organizations across Canada to tell stories that are authentic, impactful, and grounded in lived experience.

Len’s work is guided by a deep commitment to Indigenous representation and cultural integrity. Whether he’s behind the camera, directing a documentary, or helping shape a creative vision, he brings an Indigenous lens that centres relationships, community, and respect. His projects have received recognition through initiatives such as TELUS STORYHIVE and screenings at international film festivals, while his documentary work has helped share Indigenous stories with audiences across Canada and beyond.

If you know Shelley Saje Ricci, you’ve probably seen her gathering people together for a photo. She has a natural instinct for recognizing moments worth capturing and preserving. Whether with family, friends, at community gatherings, or out on the land, Shelley’s often the person making sure a meaningful moment isn’t lost.

Shelley is a Cree Métis woman and member of the Métis Nation British Columbia, with Métis roots connected to the historic Red River and Victoria Métis Settlements. She also carries non-status First Nations lineage connected to Michel First Nation through the Callihoo family. Her spirit name, Bear Paw Woman, was given to her by Medicine People during her time working at Anishnawbe Health Toronto.

Her connection to culture, community, family, and the land shapes how she sees the world and what she notices through the camera.

Shelley has a deep love for Indigenous culture and storytelling and a lifelong commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, cultural safety, equity, and inclusion. She sees photography as another way of carrying stories forward: honouring people, preserving memories, and helping others see the beauty and meaning within everyday moments.

For Shelley, photography is more than a hobby. It’s a calling grounded in relationship. She’s drawn to images that hold emotion, connection and story – from community gatherings and significant milestones to quiet moments in nature.

Through her photography, Shelley hopes to honour the beauty, strength, joy and resilience of Indigenous Peoples and communities, while preserving moments that can be carried forward for future generations.