shirley cheechoo

Born in Eastmain, Quebec, in 1952, Shirley Cheechoo is a member of the 
Cree Tribe. Her early childhood was spent in Moose Factory, later the 
family moved to Hearst, Ontario. She is married to artist Blake Debassige 
and they have one child, Nanoshkasheese. Memories of growing up within a 
warm family group have become the focal point for her expression through 
the medium of acrylic. Her paintings represent the personal documentation 
of the many experiences she shared with her large family in the north as 
well as those of other Cree families lived by trapping and fishing. She 
provided the illustrations for Basil H. Johnston's book "Tales the Elders 
Told" 
Shirley Cheechoo is an award winning actress, writer, producer, director, 
and visual artist. She first gained national attention in the theater in 
1992 with her play, "Path With No Moccasins". Her film directorial debut 
is the acclaimed short film, Silent Tears, which has won several film 
festival awards for Best Short Film. It was screened at the 1998 Sundance 
Film Festival and was awarded the Telefilm Canada/Television Northern 
Canada Award for Best Canadian Aboriginal Language Television Program. As 
one of a select group of promising filmmakers, Shirley was invited to 
attend the prestigious Sundance Institute lead by Robert Redford, where 
she workshopped and filmed scenes of Backroads with accomplished creative 
advisors including Robert Redford. Shirley is the first, First Nation 
woman to write, produce, direct, and act in a feature length film from 
Canada. Shirley has also appeared on several Canadian film and television 
series and programs, including The Rez.