We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chris Chipak a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chris, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Personally, the most meaningful project for me was working with NBA Canada. I have been passionate about the game of Basketball since I was 11 years old. The opportunity came from an ad on the NBA Canada website, I sent in an application, not having much of a resume or credentials to bulk up the application, I felt like my chances were slim. Sure enough, a month later, I received an email and had to pinch myself and google search the names in the email to make sure this was not a scam. It shows how much of a dream my reality had now become. I would be proud to let 11 year old me (who would probably be shooting hoops outside his house on Red Pheasant First Nation reserve) know that he eventually gets to sign an NBA contract in his future.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I always loved art. Growing up on reserve, I spent most days coloring at the kitchen table as the transiency of the community and family came in and out to visit. Eventually my coloring book pages were full, and I needed to color something else, so I would re-draw pages on new pieces of paper and change the expression or position of the characters, falling in love with the idea or creating my own stories. From that point, I was always creating and expressing my creativity.

After high school, I struggled going from life on reservation to moving to the city of Saskatoon, SK to attend University classes that had more students in one class than my whole school I graduated from in Cando, SK.

In these tough times, art was therapeutic, and it was my safe place. I could get lost in my artwork, not stressing over failed papers and struggling to stay above 50%. It wasn’t that I was not trying, it was that I had no sense of community. I felt alone. It was an art class and an indigenous art history course that I took in one term that made me feel those feelings of belong, home and sense of community. Allowing me to persevere through the rest of my schooling to achieve a bachelor’s degree in education.

Art has always been a part of my life and now I am seeing my art become a part of other people’s lives.

Nothing is more beautiful.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

In my opinion, what drives me to keep creating is inspiring others. Especially showing youth that being creative and having an imagination is a skill and they should express that part of themselves to inspire those around them.

As an educator, Every kid loves to color or draw and create works that they want others to see. Somewhere in those developing years, that spark fades and it gets lost.

When people see my work and I see their expression or hear the things they like about the art, I feel it is that spark that is coming back to them.

That drives me to continue to create.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think the best way to support artists and creatives is to share their work. Sharing someone’s artwork adds another bridge to help bring in others to build a community and allow networking. Supporting an artist does not mean money out of your pocket. Responses on certain pieces of my work have meant more than dollar amounts as it motivates me to continue creating.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inchipakwetrust/