Indigenous Artist

Tekatsi’tsaneken Everstz is a proud member of the Bear Clan - hailing from the Kanien'kehà:ka Mohawk Nation of Kahnawà:ke. Grounded in the Haudenosaunee principle of reciprocity, mutuality, and interdependence -Everstz has dedicated himself exclusively to fostering capacity building, community development, and community empowerment. Teka advocates strength-based approaches that emphasize resiliency and enhancement of artistic expression and cultural knowledge sharing practice as sustainable innovations to address social governance mechanisms and social determinants of health.

With over 20 years of experience in youth advocacy and engagement, cultural knowledge facilitation and program implementation, Everstz continues to create his pathway forward by adhering to the teachings encompassed within this idea of "Walking in Two Worlds and Occupying and the Third Space. Holding space as an artist, facilitator, role model and mentor, he strives to offer his knowledge, experience, and creativity to the next generations of leaders who aim to generate affirmative action. Promoting education and awareness on human rights that advocate for social justice, equality, and inclusion for Indigenous peoples and communities facing systemic discrimination, segregation, and health disparities as a result of differences in gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and mental health conditions.

From a “Leadership Through the Arts” theory, Everstz has cultivated a wide variety of familiar and unconventional mediums or techniques within his art - with the intention to evoke, invoke and provoke notions of curiosity, learning and understanding around of artistic methods, processes, means of expression, and their influence on the social and cognitive development of others. Breathing life into new social innovation strategies and community engagement initiatives that inspire others to use their inner voice and creative talents towards efforts that redefine leadership, governance, and definitive acts of reconciliation in its wake.

INDIGENOUS ANCESTRY

First Nations

SELF-IDENTIFICATION

Kanien'kehà:ka Mohawk Nation of Kahnawà:ke