Emily Kewageshig is an Anishinaabe artist and visual storyteller from Saugeen First Nation No. 29. With a deep-rooted connection to her heritage, her artwork explores the intricate interconnection of life forms, weaving together both traditional and contemporary materials. Her creative practice is centered around the cyclical themes of birth, death, and rebirth - concepts that have profound significance in both her cultural teachings and personal lived experiences.

In 2020, Emily celebrated her first solo exhibition titled "Mooshknemgog Bmaadziwin: Full Circle," showcased at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen Sound, Ontario. This milestone marked a significant moment in her career, highlighting the intersection of her artistic expression with her Indigenous roots. Emily continues to produce artwork for a wide array of organizations, using her art as a tool to elevate and honour Indigenous knowledge, culture, and identity.

Emily's journey as an artist is one of resilience and determination. Leaving her home reserve at the age of 17, she moved to Toronto with aspirations of pursuing higher education and making a living through her passion for creating art. After graduating with Honours from Sheridan College’s Visual and Creative Arts Diploma program in 2017, where she was awarded “Best in Show” at the final graduate exhibition. Emily continued her studies at OCAD University in the BFA Indigenous Visual Culture program (2017-2020). Her experiences as a mother, especially after becoming a parent in 2018, inspired her to reflect on the cyclical nature of life - a concept deeply rooted in her Anishinaabe worldview. She believes that life is a never-ending circle, where everything is interconnected and flows with balance and harmony.

As an artist, Emily's work draws on vivid colours, bold graphic lines, and a combination of traditional and contemporary materials. Each piece captures the delicate balance between culture, identity, and the cycles of life, illustrating how each plant, animal, and person plays an essential role in the sustainability of our ecosystems for future generations.

Emily is not only an artist but also a role model and advocate for Indigenous youth across Turtle Island. Through her work, she continues to inspire and educate, fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives. Her commitment to her craft and cultural heritage has led her to collaborate with renowned organizations and brands, including CBC, DavidsTea, Manitobah Mukluks, Globe and Mail, Toronto Argonauts, Redken, Purolator, Parks Canada, NBC Universal, and MiniTipi. Her work has been highlighted nationally by APTN and CBC news.

She is also the illustrator of three notable books: Walking Together, With Our Orange Hearts, and Of the Sun. Additionally, Emily has created many murals across Toronto, Ontario, infusing public spaces with Indigenous art that serves as a visual celebration of her culture and teachings.

As an Artist Ambassador with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Foundation, Emily uses her platform to raise awareness and encourage reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. She was featured in a short film by National Geographic titled Flowing through Ontario’s Many Wonders of Water, where she highlighted the importance of preserving water sources and championing Indigenous rights as an advocate for environmental sustainability.

Through her work, Emily continues to connect past, present, and future, ensuring that the knowledge and beauty of Indigenous cultures remain vibrant and resilient for generations to come.