Indigenality Photography

02/19/2025

tansi ᑕᓂᓯ folks,

I never imagined I’d be in a place where I’d have to ask for financial help again, since 2023 May, my life has been a revolving door, but life has thrown some tough challenges my way, and I’m reaching out to my community for support.

I’m a photographer with a deep passion for capturing moments, but right now, my life is in a difficult position. I’ve been struggling with mental health, addiction, and the aftermath of an emotionally abusive relationship that left me feeling lost and broken. On top of it all, I’m currently facing being unhoused in cold times.

Despite everything, I’m not giving up. I’m waiting on a settlement that will allow me to go to treatment, rebuild my life, and replace my lost camera gear so I can return to the work I love. However, in the meantime, I’m in need of some immediate support to keep a roof over my head and take care of basic needs and necessities.

I’m asking for help to raise $500, which will go toward covering rent for the two friends from AA, who went out of their way to help me, who have also been kind enough to give me a place to stay and support me through this process, regarding addiction. Anything you can contribute — no matter how small — it would mean the world to me.

Anything would help me get through this challenging time and take the necessary steps to heal and rebuild, not only with the many bridges I burned with friends and family, but also with community, you all. I appreciate your kindness, generosity, and belief in my journey back to photography and a life where I can once smile wholeheartedly again.

The GoFund link will be here, as well as in my highlights, as well as my stories. Please share.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Indigenality Photography

Also known as: Cole Crane
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11/13/2024

In honour of Native American Heritage day and month

Native American heritage day honours the first peoples of this nation while also recognizing Native Americans’ many contributions.

Throughout the month of November, we celebrate Indigenous people’s cultures, traditions, and history.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳?
It means doing my part in continuously showing how beautiful all of our people are, as well as empowering and amplifying Indigenous voices through artistic imagery, culture, history, language, and stories. I’ve always wanted to show the true depiction of Native American People/First Nation people from an Indigenous lens and artistic perspective – or just simply photographing Indigenous people from a person who is Indigenous.
Growing up disconnected from my community, I always viewed Indigenous people from a ‘white' point of view; with it came many negative stereotypes and assumptions. For example, Edward Curtis was a non-native photographer who photographed Indigenous people on turtle island in the late 1800s; there is a lot of controversy surrounding him. His work consisted of romanticized depictions of Indigenous people. During a time when tribes all over turtle island were being forced onto reservations, their land being stolen, and their children illegally being taken and sent off to boarding/residential schools to “assimilate” them into a European way of life.
Today, I work hard to decolonize and dismantle those negative stereotypes and show who we are as Indigenous people!
We are strong, resilient, powerful, beautiful, intelligent, and artistic people. I strive to reclaim space in the world of photography and challenge photography’s own form of canon. We are capable of our own stories.

Each in-motion shot is different and portrays Nikita in her regalia. Loved this collaboration

Nikita is an Indigenous content creator and advocate. She’s an environmental scientist and is breaking barriers for Indigenous women and people.

Model:
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11/12/2024

mihkwâw – ᒥᐦᑳᐧᐤ

Meaning, “it is red” or just “red” in the Cree (nehiyawewin) language, it is a powerful colour in Indigenous culture across the Americas – Turtle Island. 🦅

I would also like to add that “mihko + (attached word)” – ᒥᐦᑯ – also meaning red is associated with my spirit name gifted to me when I was 11.

This photo was initially going to be a part of the “Her Body. Her Power. Her Sovereignty. She is Sacred” photoshoot series, posted in September 2022. But, I felt this one was a bit different than the rest and had a little bit more to add in terms of writing. And, sometimes the work/photo is there in archives but the story isn’t. However, as a writer, as I finally edited this portrait, the story slowly came to fruition. ✍️

For years, I always wondered about certain teachings and what they meant. Cloudchiefcompany.com “Red: This color represents the life force, blood, and the east direction. It's often used in healing ceremonies and symbolizes power, vitality, and protection.” Which I was also told growing up. Moreover, as we can all relate, it’s important to keep in mind that tribes are also distinct and have similar but different cultural traditions and teachings, mihkwâw can also represent the south according to medicine wheel teachings. 🦬

Importantly, Strongheartshelpline.org also talks about the importance of red “It has been said that red is a color that transcends the physical world and calls to the ancestors in the spirit world. For ceremony and powwow, Native Americans dressed their children in red as an introduction to the ancestors – calling upon them as guardians to the young. However, the color red had other uses and symbolic meanings that differed among Indigenous tribes in North America. It has been used by the young warrior painting his face and his horse, it has also been used to beautify the faces of young women and their clothing.” 🐎

Presently, across Indian country, the colour mihkwâw signifies MMIWG2S+ which is a reality for our Indigenous women, girls and 2spirit – The role of red is being used to call attention to the invisible – missing and murdered.
A couple of statistics include: (limited for caption)
•Indigenous women are four times more likely to experience violence than non-indigenous.
•Violence against MMIWG2S+ individuals reflects the traumatic and destructive history of colonialization that impacted and continues to impact Indigenous families, communities and Canadian/USA society overall. 🪶

Call to action: please visit these website(s) and many others available to read the official calls to action and what you can do for MMIWG2S+ 🤎 👇 Thank

https://guides.library.ubc.ca/mmiwg

https://afn.ca/rights-justice/murdered-missing-indigenous-women-girls/

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1717103903695/1717103981609

Roberta (model/beader/teacher) and Lisa (beader/educator) are such talented artisans. I’m glad that I was able to work with them. 🫶🏽

Model: Roberta Alook
Earrings: Lisa Ladouceur-Fraser
Portrait by me 🤗 📸
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11/11/2024

She’s serving us ‘strong Indigenous woman’ 💙🤎

A couple months ago I had the chance to work with the talented Fawn Wood. She is a renowned Indigenous singer/vocalist here on Turtle Island that is currently making waves! She is so down to earth, funny, and caring! I’m so glad these blue inspired photos worked out and we were able to work together. I was channeling lady gaga’s album “Joanne” when trying to get this first headshot! And it all worked it. Loving the Indigenous spin to it. 🪶

If you haven’t already, check out Fawn’s Instagram page. Right now, she’s in Toronto, being featured in JunoFest, and is a Juno nominee, how amazing. Fingers crossed! 🤞🏽Everyone vote for her!

It was so cool to see my work on the poster/post with
It gives me motivation to keep creating 📸
Just your local Indigenous photographer here.😄

Model:
Hat band & jewelry:
Belt:
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10/16/2024

It’s getting there slowly but surely. A lot of folks misconstrue why I started growing my hair in the first place. I never view it as an object, it’s very spiritual to me. My source of strength.
Pictured below are my great-great grandparents on my dad’s side. I believe I carry on my dad’s side of the families genes. Hair is power and many other powerful traits in Plains Indigenous culture. I know they would want me to grow it. When it’s too long, I’m placing it with my late-cousin/bestie Tansi Noname, in the Qu’appelle Valley, Treaty 4, Saskatchewan.
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10/14/2024

It took many years for me to accept my side profile - especially my nose, due to colonial beauty standards growing up etc.

However, as I began to see my ancestors throughout the years in old photographs and both my parent’s physical traits, I noticed I also carry their traits, as well as other Plains tribes throughout Turtle Island.

I’m proud to say I resemble my Saulteaux and Cree ancestry & roots.

Pictured below are my grandfathers on my mom’s and dad’s side. Alberta Noname & Delbert Crane

In saying all this, my belief system and Indigenous roots give me the strength to overcome hardships such as the one I’m currently facing.
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06/21/2024

National Indigenous People's Day they say?! 🪶

To me and a lot of other folks — Indigenous and allies, National Indigenous People's is EVERY day! However, to the folks that aren't situated in kanata or Canada (Huron-Iroquois), it's a day to celebrate and appreciate each other's Indigenous cultures in all their diversities and similarities.

Model:
Portrait taken by me 😊
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06/10/2024

tansi folks, please consider donating, and please read what I wrote, anything helps. Please visit the link, my GoFundMe link is in my bio. 🤎🪶 Thank you all. 🫶

https://gofund.me/6f9ab099
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tansi, or hello, in Cree (nêhiyawi), my name is Cole Crane, depicted a… Cole Crane needs your support for Cole's Photography equipment replacement GoFundMe

06/03/2024

As many of you are aware, June is officially the Month of National Indigenous Peoples History of Canada, or any Indigenous Peoples throughout the Americas as I consider it, it's officially called National Indigenous History Month – every June. This month means a lot to me, but not only for me but for my family, my community and my ancestors. It's a month where Indigenous folks from all over can come together and enjoy and share each and every rich culture of Indigenous people and their history and stories.

The photo depicted is of one of my good friends Sissy Thiessen Kootenayo who is very much involved in her culture, history and her tribes ways of life. The beautiful regalia she wears is exquisite and stunning!

I intend to attend more ceremonies and powwows. As a recent recovering addict, 12 days to be exact, I feel the love and my Saulteaux and Cree culture, and its history.

With that being said, what are you doing for the National Indigenous Peoples History month?

Model:
Photo by me 😊
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05/20/2024

Re-sharing this portrait of .alook_ (depicted) & .o.b.i.l.i.z.e &

I loved this photoshoot so much! My creativity as an artist showed in this photograph. It showed me, as well as made me realize the love for the Cree language (nehiyawewin ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ). Working with .o.b.i.l.i.z.e & .mua was inspirational and motivational to me to continue my work as a photographer and artist.