Sharla Riddell

Sharla Riddell is a Mi’kmaw artist and aspiring fancy shawl dancer whose work spans photography, beading, and performance to celebrate the stories and beauty of Turtle Island. A visual storyteller, Sharla’s photography captures the raw essence of nature and the vibrancy of Mi’kmaw culture.

Sharla specializes in nature photography and personalized photoshoots, including portraits of individuals in their regalia. She is currently developing a multimedia project to document the lives and stories of her community members through images and audio recordings. Her vision includes turning these narratives into a book and traveling gallery exhibit to showcase the voices and resilience of Indigenous peoples across Canada.

An emerging fancy shawl dancer, Sharla is learning this traditional dance to honor her grandfather, a Residential School survivor, and to deepen her connection to her culture. She is also an artisan, creating sturdy and elegant beaded earrings, though she has temporarily paused this craft to focus on her shawl-making and securing funding for her storytelling project.

Sharla Riddell’s artistry and storytelling highlight the beauty, resilience, and individuality of Mi’kmaw people. Through her photography, dance, and future projects, she seeks to ensure that every story is celebrated and remembered.