With Open Arms

Canada, 2018

Ta’Kaiya Blaney is a member of the Tla’Amin nation, an environmental activist, award-winning actress, singer, and ambassador for the Native Children’s Survival ‘Indigenous Children Fund’ and Salish Sea Youth Foundation. Her leadership and courage fuel the movement to build a future where Indigenous voices are supported, empowered, and celebrated. After reaching out and speaking to her, we met for a shoot along the shores of Vancouver where I photographed her proudly wearing traditional clothing. Resistance can look like many things: anger, joy, healing, and thriving. For Ta’Kaiya, it is advocating for the rights and lands of her people. For me, it is photographing native culture and identity as it exists today, free from the constructs of outsiders.