Winner of JHR's award for Outstanding work by an Indigenous Youth Reporter

About two months ago I shared that I was shortlisted for a journalism award for a piece I wrote on families passing down their Indigenous languages. On May 19, I found out that my piece was chosen and Tanya Talaga presented this award and honour to me at a virtual awards ceremony (the most amazing honour).

https://jhr.ca/jhr-announces-winner-of-2021-indigenous-youth-reporter-award

Now, more than ever, about how powerful our languages are and what important work it is learning and re-learning our native tongues.

I truly believe our languages are the antidote to colonialism.

I want to again share my gratitude to all of the families who shared their stories with me for this piece: Rochelle Allan, Marsha Ireland, and Karen Mosko. And to the translators who helped this piece get published in four Indigenous languages: Ian McCallum & Karen Mosko, Debbie Parliament & Marsha Ireland, Mina Beauvais & Heidi Nicholas, Jason Jones & Shirley Andy. As well as the beautiful illustration by Tehatsistahawi Kennedy - Nyawen'kó:wa to all of you and to everyone reading this for your continued support of my work.

You can read the language story here: https://www.tvo.org/.../for-our-children-how-families-are...

You can also read the two other nominees outstanding work here:

"A story of resilience: Decision to take son off of life support still haunts Membertou First Nation father" by Oscar Baker

https://www.saltwire.com/.../a-story-of-resilience.../

&

"How can you reconcile on stolen land?" by Chezney Martin

https://the-pigeon.ca/2020/11/23/reconciling-stolen-land/

Mohawk Word of the Day!

As some of you may know, I have been on a journey to learn my language, Kanyen'kéha, for about 4 years now. One year ago my partner Matthew and I started learning the language together and have just completed our first year of a 2-year program. We are currently off on our summer break and wanted a way to stay motivated to continue learning new words and using the language every day so we started a Mohawk Word of the Day challenge for ourselves. We post a video teaching a new Mohawk word every day with weekly themes like family relations, flowers, or household objects.

You can follow along on my Twitter or Instagram accounts @shelbyliskphoto.

Radio and podcast show appearance on SHINE

On April 6, I spoke with my friend Jessica Spooner for her radio show and podcast SHINE.

You can also find it on Spotify here

Shortlisted for JHR's second annual award for "Outstanding Work by an Indigenous Youth Reporter"

Today, on National Indigenous Languages Day, I am happy to share that a very special piece I wrote last year, about language transmission through generations, has been shortlisted for a JHR Indigenous reporting award.

Here's the link to read the story: https://www.tvo.org/article/for-our-children-how-families-are-passing-down-indigenous-languages

This piece was dear to my heart because of my own language learning journey. I wanted to show that these journeys do not all fall neatly into the framework of 'resiliency' that the media would have you believe - it's tough, like really tough. Canada has banked on the resiliency of Indigenous people and communities to assuage them of guilt for too long. I don't want to tell neat stories. I want to tell messy, real stories about messy, real people, like myself.

I am so grateful to all of the families who shared their stories with me for this piece: Rochelle Allan, Marsha Ireland, and Karen Mosko. And to the translators who helped this piece get published in four Indigenous languages: Ian McCallum, Debbie Parliament, Mina Beauvais, Jason Jones, and Shirley Andy. As well as the beautiful illustration by Tehatsistahawi Kennedy - Nyawen'kó:wa!

Longlisted for the New Generation Photography Award

New Generation Photography Award

I was nominated by Patricia Deadman, curator of the Woodland Cultural Centre in Six Nations, for the New Generation Photography Award.

Established in 2017 by the National Gallery of Canada in collaboration with Scotiabank, the New Generation Photography Award celebrates young Canadians working in lens-based art.
To read more about the award visit the National Gallery of Canada’s website here.

Karsh-Masson Continuum Exhibition award

2022 Karsh Continuum artists selected

The City of Ottawa is pleased to announce that local artists Stéphane Alexis, Shelby Lisk, and Neeko Paluzzi have been selected by 2019 Karsh Award laureate Andrew Wright for the 2022 Karsh Continuum exhibition and mentorship opportunity. This exhibition opens on February 10, 2022, at the Karsh-Masson Gallery in Ottawa.

About the Karsh Award

The City of Ottawa is proud to honour the enduring legacy of Yousuf and Malak Karsh with a commemorative award to a professional photo/lens-based artist. Created in 2003 by Ottawa City Council, the Karsh Award recognizes the Karsh brothers for their immense contribution to our city's rich cultural heritage

Every four years, a $7,500 prize is presented to a midcareer/established local artist for their outstanding body of work and significant contribution to the artistic discipline in a photo/lens-based medium.

Over the subsequent three-year period, the laureate is also invited to hold an exhibition of his/her work at the Karsh-Masson Gallery, mentor within the local artistic community and participate in the Karsh Continuum exhibition. 

To read more visit the City of Ottawa’s website here.

International database of Indigenous photographers

I’m very excited to announce that my work is now included in the Indigenous Photograph’s database among some amazing Indigenous photographers from around the world.

Summer at the drive in during COVID-19

You’re driving along winding country roads in a car full of your best friends. The windows are down; you’re blasting the radio. Or you’re at the wheel, and your excited children are in the back seat ready to fall asleep with their teddy bears — though they’re adamant that they can stay up all night. Or you’re 16 years old, you’ve just got your driver’s licence. Your high-school crush is riding shotgun, and there’s nervous energy in the air. You pull into a field surrounded by the golden rays of a summer sunset, park your car in front of the big screen, and tune your radio to the right station, anxiously waiting for the sun to go down so the movie can start.

Staff at the Drive-in Experience in Nepean pose for a photo before opening the gates to a long line of waiting cars.

Kevin and Kathy Marshall, owners of the Skylight Drive-In Pembroke.

Dawn Laing, Drew Downs, and their dog, Wilma, pose in the infamous Mustang Drive-In PEC bus. The first-time drive-in owners took possession of the Mustang Drive-In PEC (Prince Edward County) in April and showed their first movie on July 2.

Lana Pacheco sanitizes bathroom facilities before patrons arrive at the Drive-In Experience on July 4.

Staff member Tim Turiff scans a patron’s ticket on their phone at the Mustang Drive-in PEC. “Part of the reason we don't have everyone in masks, but rather face shields, is because, with hospitality and customer service, you like to see a person smile,” co-owner Dawn Laing says. “We still adhere to the rules about face covering; we've just opted to do it with something clear so you can still be greeted with a warm smile, even if you're six feet from that person.”

Patrons are directed as they enter the Drive-in Experience in Nepean on July 4. "People want to be out; they want to have something to do. So, if all they're required to do is to wear a mask, wash your hands, and wait for your turn, we've noticed that people are very, very co-operative," says Lana Pacheco, director of operations at the Drive-In Experience.

On July 23, Macie Gagne, Ride Sullivan, Izzy Sullivan, and Max Moore play on the roof of their car (the playground, including this empty swing set, is currently closed due to COVID-19). Denice Mearns says she remembers going to this drive-in as a child and wanted to share the experience with her children and their friends, who were there to watch Shrek.

New co-owner Dawn Laing introduces herself to patrons as they enter the Mustang Drive-in PEC. “I welcome everyone and thank them for coming to the drive-in,” she says. “And when I'm doing this, I have complete gratitude that these people are choosing to leave their home and spend their evening with us, because, if they didn't do that, we would not exist.”

William McLean and Ben Rayner wait for the movie to start at the Mustang Drive-In PEC. The boys, who are now 11 years old, have been friends since pre-school and are sharing their first drive-in experience with each other and their mothers.

Olivia Chiasson and Cale Northey take in a sold-out screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at the Drive-In Experience in Nepean on July 4

The movie Almost Famous being projected at the Mustang Drive-In PEC on July 25.

If you grew up in rural Ontario, chances are you remember summer nights at your local drive-in theatre. When COVID-19 closed indoor theatres across the province on March 17, drive-ins seemed like a ready-made alternative, perfect for social distancing. “Everybody kept contacting us on Facebook and email and phoning and saying, ‘Well, you should be able to open because of course we're sitting in the car, and we won't get out,’” says Kevin Marshall, who has owned the Skylight Drive-In in Pembroke with his wife, Kathy, since 2014. “It seemed to me that, under the provincial regulations, a drive-in really was the best and safest way to go, and I figured that the government would get to that point, too.”

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To read the full story, visit TVO.org

Sarah and Ben's 2020 farm wedding

Reflecting on the year that has passed, it’s easy to think of all the moments we missed, all the celebrations we would have had and all the people we wish we were with. I have been shooting weddings for over 5 years now and my heart broke for all those couples who had to cancel their celebrations this year. As it turns out, I ended up only shooting one wedding in 2020 and I couldn’t be happier that it was this one. 

Following the news of the pandemic, our friends Sarah and Ben decided to downsize their wedding and move it into their backyard. Sure it wasn’t exactly what they had planned on, but it was absolutely beautiful. 

Despite the loved ones we're missing and the celebrations we couldn’t have, looking at these photos, it is impossible to do anything but smile at these two beautiful souls and the happiness dripping off of them. 

I hope your 2020 turned out a little something like their wedding: not exactly as planned but beautiful all the same. 

Sarah, Ben & Willow,
Thank you for being in our lives. We love you!