b'COVER STORYcoming to Neechee, says Atlooka. We just wanted a safe space for us to hang out and express ourselves. Beginning in the fall, the studio hosts eight to ten arts and culture projects that culminate in a live exhibition and a publication called the Neechee Zine. Workshops have included graffiti, beading, quilling, painting, photography, basketry, moccasin making and drum making, and many more. Neechee has run with great success for four seasons with over 50 youth from over 60 Indigenous communities across Northwestern Ontario attending. The studio is always welcoming volunteers to be a part of programming and youth with strong artistic or leadership qualities are encouraged to apply through the studios website. Internships with Neechee include training in arts education, leadership and group coordinating, and can even be counted towards high school or post-secondary credits and volunteer hours. While the studios usual programming has been postponed due to COVID-19, As Meawasige states, We dont wantwork is Nationhood because youreat the time of writing, planning and something thatll just be one season, oneexercising your sovereignty. And thatsorganizing for workshops in September weekend, or one year. We want this to bespending time with each other, that actare underway. As for the future, Atlooka a place where this is just the way wereof love. is hoping that the studio, which currently going to live.operates out of the Definitely Art Neechee Studio Gallery, will be able to get theirNimkii Aazhibikong has become moreSince 2013, Neechee Studio has beenown space. than a camp or a program. Its an actbuilding their own community over inFor now, Atlooka is proud that the of resilience, an act of reclamation,Thunder Bay, ON, through the hostingprogram can be entirely Indigenous-led. says Meawasige. All practices are beingof free monthly art workshops led byThats a huge accomplishment for us, carried out with future generations inIndigenous artists and aimed at youthshe says. Were having our own voices mind and, as Meawasige adds, Thisages 14-30. This is something Lucilleheard and thats important. If its going Atlooka, one of the studios founders,to be an Indigenous program, it should wishes shed had after coming to Thunderbe run by Indigenous people.BLANEYS SAYS Bay to continue her education.Think IndigenousProud partners of theFor many young Indigenous Peoples,Having Indigenous voices heard is front Indigenous community formoving to the city can be a difficultand centre to the work being done by 40+ years transition. We mostly get IndigenousChris Scribe, the founder and director of young people from remote communitiesThink Indigenous, a non-profit that hosts Top 10Regional Law FirmFor more information: Robert J. PottsIndigenous Law416-593-3952 72 The Circle Winter Issue 1 2020'