Road To Your Name - Season 7, Episode 3: Visiting with Nadya Kwandibens — Award-winning photographer and founder of Red Works Photography
This episode was recorded in November 2024.
Episode Title: Nadya Kwandibens — Red Works, Indigenous Identity & the Art of Photography
Show: The Road to Your Name
Host: Lisa
🎧 Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e7d02970
Episode Title: Nadya Kwandibens — Red Works, Indigenous Identity & the Art of Photography
Show: The Road to Your Name
Host: Lisa
🎧 Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e7d02970
Episode Summary:
In this episode, host Lisa sits down with Indigenous photographer and visual storyteller Nadya Kwandibens (Aniishinaabe, from the Animakee Wa Zhing #37 First Nation in northwestern Ontario). Nadya discusses her journey from studying film and English literature, to moving into portrait and event photography, to becoming an ambassador for the brand Canon and the Photo Laureate for the City of Toronto. Together they explore how photography becomes a tool of cultural reclamation, language revitalization, community connection and personal growth.
In this episode, host Lisa sits down with Indigenous photographer and visual storyteller Nadya Kwandibens (Aniishinaabe, from the Animakee Wa Zhing #37 First Nation in northwestern Ontario). Nadya discusses her journey from studying film and English literature, to moving into portrait and event photography, to becoming an ambassador for the brand Canon and the Photo Laureate for the City of Toronto. Together they explore how photography becomes a tool of cultural reclamation, language revitalization, community connection and personal growth.
In This Episode:
• How Nadya’s early education in film production led into photography, and how that first portrait session in regalia sparked a career.
• The transition from dark landscapes to bright, vibrant portraits and events: her evolving style of boosting colours like red, yellow and blue, and capturing Indigenous gatherings in full strength.
• Memorable assignments: covering marches for the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls movement, round dances, cultural gatherings, and key moments of community activism.
• The story behind Nadya being named Canon Ambassador and how that partnership works (mentorship, gear, brand representation).
• Her ongoing portrait series: the “Red Chair Sessions” — using Indigenous names, place-names, languages and land acknowledgements in each portrait; now touring nationally.
• Upcoming projects: “Kitchen Table Talks” — a hybrid portrait + documentary series bringing Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people together around conversation, food, family and cultural memory.
• Nadya’s role as the PhotoLaureate for the City of Toronto: what the role entails, her vision (including an ambitious sky-visible, copper-inspired installation reflecting Indigenous presence).
• Her personal dream: a tiny house by water on her homeland reserve, where simplicity, land connection and creativity converge.
• Advice for young Indigenous photographers: “Just get out there and do it. Practice, be mindful of light, meet people, do what makes you happy.”
• How Nadya’s early education in film production led into photography, and how that first portrait session in regalia sparked a career.
• The transition from dark landscapes to bright, vibrant portraits and events: her evolving style of boosting colours like red, yellow and blue, and capturing Indigenous gatherings in full strength.
• Memorable assignments: covering marches for the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls movement, round dances, cultural gatherings, and key moments of community activism.
• The story behind Nadya being named Canon Ambassador and how that partnership works (mentorship, gear, brand representation).
• Her ongoing portrait series: the “Red Chair Sessions” — using Indigenous names, place-names, languages and land acknowledgements in each portrait; now touring nationally.
• Upcoming projects: “Kitchen Table Talks” — a hybrid portrait + documentary series bringing Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people together around conversation, food, family and cultural memory.
• Nadya’s role as the PhotoLaureate for the City of Toronto: what the role entails, her vision (including an ambitious sky-visible, copper-inspired installation reflecting Indigenous presence).
• Her personal dream: a tiny house by water on her homeland reserve, where simplicity, land connection and creativity converge.
• Advice for young Indigenous photographers: “Just get out there and do it. Practice, be mindful of light, meet people, do what makes you happy.”
Key Quotes:
“Language is our medicine — when you speak it, you heal parts of yourself you didn’t know were hurting.”
(Note: This particular quote is adapted from a theme in the conversation.)
“Photography is very much about living in the moment.”
“This is all Indigenous land. No matter where you go.”
Connect with Nadya Kwandibens / Red Works Photography:
Website → RedWorks.ca
Instagram / Facebook / X → check @redworks (or search “Red Works Photography”)
Look for her “Red Chair Sessions” and be on the lookout for her book and documentary to come.
Website → RedWorks.ca
Instagram / Facebook / X → check @redworks (or search “Red Works Photography”)
Look for her “Red Chair Sessions” and be on the lookout for her book and documentary to come.
About the Show:
The Road to Your Name explores conversations with Indigenous voices reclaiming identity, purpose and place. Each episode highlights how culture, story, creativity and land intersect in everyday lives and work.
Follow the show for more inspiring stories like this one.
The Road to Your Name explores conversations with Indigenous voices reclaiming identity, purpose and place. Each episode highlights how culture, story, creativity and land intersect in everyday lives and work.
Follow the show for more inspiring stories like this one.
Creators and Guests
Host
Lisa VanEvery
Lisa has worked for Aboriginal Legal Services for sixteen years. She began hosting the Road To Your Name Podcast in December 2020.
