Q: Hi Madeleine, tell me about yourself! What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
A: I grew up playing a lot of video games and find myself enjoying a game or two every night! Whether it’s a 6-hour binge on the Sims, Minecraft, or Valheim, a quick game of Fortnite, Super Smash, or Guitar Hero, gaming is one of my passions. I’m also a huge outdoors person—I kayak and hike in the summers, and in the winter. I ski and skate. I’m also super into EDM music and K-Pop—I’ve been to a few EDM festivals and K-Pop concerts and have even more lined up this year!
Q: Tell me more about the importance of visual design in your life. How did you first discover this was a field you wanted to enter?
A: When I was very young, I started drawing and making anime music videos in my spare time. In high school, between art and communications classes, drawing portraiture, discovering digital painting, editing videos, and even designing one of my high school yearbooks—I asked one of my teachers how I could pursue these passions into a career. My communications teacher introduced me to graphic design and helped me find an undergrad program in this field. The rest is history!
Q: What inspired you to work in education?
A: Coming from very fast-pace working environments in marketing and television, I wanted to re-center my career and dig into my roots. As a Métis citizen, it is difficult finding work in my field where I can connect to this part of my culture. Becoming part of the ELCC team, while being able to use my skills and connect to the Métis culture, felt like a huge win for me.
Q: For those unaware, can you speak about the ELCC education kits and why they’re so important?
A: Working alongside my teammates Laura Dika-Holmes and Sarah Spethmann, who are both the ideation masters, I find these kits are created by putting culture and family first, these aspects are important when introducing children to their Métis culture. An example is our latest family kit “Roots Across Time” which Laura and Sarah developed as a way to get families connecting to their past, their roots. I had the pleasure of designing the branding, a custom board game, and a book families can use to track their history, travels, recipes, and more. Another example is our “Back to the Land” kit, which features a custom Ontario map, a Métis-inspired playmat, and Ontario animals. The kit introduces children to Métis landmarks and wildlife across the province.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about illustrating children’s books and designing the education kits?
A: The most rewarding part about illustrating Métis children’s books and kits is the reactions of the families who receive these items. Families are very grateful! Seeing my work being used by children to help them learn and connect to the culture is very heartwarming and rewarding!
Q: Tell me about your approach to illustrating books for Métis children?
A: The ELCC book working group team “Métis Tales” is devoted to introducing Métis culture to children in a digestible, inclusive and accessible way. I find that creating these books using fun and memorable illustrations is the best way to introduce Métis culture to young children and keep them interested.
Q: What are you most proud of in your time at MNO?
A: I’m most proud of how well the branding items I’ve created for ELCC have been received. What started as a smaller design project, the “fox, bunny, moose” designs turned into a consistent brand and representation for the children we serve through ELCC here at the MNO.
Q: Can you tell us more about Moose River, the Métis children’s web show your team is developing? What are the goals of the project, and why are you excited about it?
A: Moose River is an ongoing digital Métis children’s show project brought to life by my teammates Chris Darton and Nicole Dubé. Featuring a character developed by ELCC — “Marty the Moose” — I’ve had the pleasure of bringing Marty to life through illustration (featured in several of our books), while Chris and Nicole are the creative leads behind the writing. I’ve also been able to bring forward some of my motion graphics skills on this project. With the town of Moose River being the setting, we even feature different characters who live in this fictional town. It’s a fun, silly and unique little show and has been extremely fun to work on!
Q: How has your Métis background had an impact on your life and how you think of yourself?
A: My Métis background is something that I started focusing on more as an adult, as it wasn’t expressed during my childhood. I think having that childhood piece missing is where my inspiration for creating in the Métis space comes from. I always found myself interested in Indigenous art and these days I find myself engaging in these spaces more often including Indigenous women’s art markets, Indigenous live drawing sessions, visiting Métis Crossing, and even learning more about my Métis history through my mom.
Q: What advice would you offer to a younger version of yourself or students currently battling through adversity?
A: As someone who had to take a step back during my first year of undergrad at OCAD and starting all over again at York U, keep going regardless of what gets in the way. Have fun with it, don’t take things too seriously and be open minded to try new things. If you fail once, try again and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t forget your roots or what you love, sometimes going back to what used to bring you joy will bring you joy in the present. And lastly, be kind to yourself.