Michelle Sound is a Cree and Métis artist and mother, and a member of the Wapsewsipi Swan River First Nation in Northern Alberta. She was born and raised on the unceded and ancestral territories of the xwmƏƟkwƏýƏm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and SƏĺílwƏtaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Michelle holds a BFA from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Applied Arts from Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Her artistic practice explores themes of identity, family history, and Indigenous ways of knowing.
For this project, Michelle draws inspiration from Indigenous star knowledge and cosmology, reflecting the belief that we are all "star people" connected to the universe and each other. Her planned design of a star blanket panel will integrate Indigenous constellations and teachings of the moon, grounding the viewer in a sense of place and time that aligns with Indigenous epistemologies. The star blanket is not just a visual motif but also a metaphor for community, continuity, and connection to ancestors. Through her work, Michelle aims to remind viewers that no matter where we are, looking up at the sky can reconnect us with our ancestors and affirm that we are a continuation of their legacy.
These artists’ contributions to the project celebrate the diversity of Indigenous experiences and perspectives, offering a glimpse into the ways they honour their heritage and create a space for dialogue, healing, and understanding.