Threads of Kin and Belonging

Elliott Walsh (Nestor Wynrush) is the founder and artistic director of Trinnipeg Live Mixtape;  A multi-tiered music collaboration, mentorship, workshop and art exhibition project.

He is a Winnipeg-based emcee, writer, organizer and workshop facilitator.  His practice draws from his Caribbean roots and passion for hip hop music.  Walsh’s work explores ideas of identity, collaboration, disability, personal and Black Prairie histories. A pioneer of Hip Hop arts programming in Manitoba.  Raised on Folklorama and lessons at ACAM Hall. His talents have brought him to working with The Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq, Remai Modern in Saskatoon, Graffiti Art Programming, Synonym Art Consultation’s Wall-to-Wall Mural Festival and Manitoba Music as a board member.

With a long history of columns in Winnipeg street papers and producing community radio, he recently completed work as a consultant on the book “Gritty City: An Oral History of Winnipeg Hip Hop 1980-2005” by Nigel Webber. He is also extremely proud of having written works featured in “The Black Prairie Archives” (WLU Press).

Julia Lafreniere (she/her), recipient of the 2023 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, is a passionate advocate for cultural understanding, reconciliation, and community service. A proud Michif and Anishinaabe woman, Julia belongs to and is claimed by Minegozhiibe Anishinabe First Nation on Treaty 4 territory. She is the Head of Learning, Indigenous Ways & Equity at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, where she has been since 2019. Julia leads initiatives aimed at fostering deeper understanding and bridging cultural gaps and has had the privilege of sharing her work at institutions across Turtle Island, most notable at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where her presentations focus on integrating Indigenous knowledge into institutional practices.

In addition to her role at the gallery, Julia works as a consultant on transformative projects, advising organizations on how to better include Indigenous perspectives and develop policies that prioritize the safety and wellbeing of all staff and clients. She is the Indigenous Inclusion Consultant for Equitable Solutions, where she supports efforts to create more inclusive and equitable environments. Julia’s projects have been recognized with awards, most notably the Canadian Museums Association (CMA).

Recently, Julia was selected for the 2024-25 Business/Arts Emerging Leadership program and invited by the U.S. State Department to participate in their International Visiting Leadership Program. Julia holds a Masters of Arts degree in Cultural Studies from the University of Winnipeg and is deeply committed to advancing reconciliation and equity, inspiring others along the way. Her work is a continuous journey of learning, and she is honored to be part of broader efforts to build a more inclusive future.