This makeup artist is uplifting strong Indigenous women with 'Sisterhood' photo series - Action News
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Indigenous

This makeup artist is uplifting strong Indigenous women with 'Sisterhood' photo series

Anishinaabe makeup artist Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick started the Sisterhood project to connect Indigenous women through the art of photography, makeup, and storytelling.

Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick wants to connect Indigenous women through photography, makeup, and storytelling

Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick is the Anishinaabe makeup artist behind Makeupbydcmk. (Lindsay Rowan Photography)

To combat harmful stereotypes, an Anishinaabe makeup artist has launched a photography series that focuses on empowerment, highlighting an array of strong, beautiful, and diverse Indigenous women.

It's called Sisterhood.

"I wanted to do something more than just makeup to create a storytelling platform and this was the best way that I knew how to use my skills and my passion," said Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick.

The 31-year-old, who lives in Winnipeg, said the series is about connecting Indigenous women through the art of photography, makeup, and storytelling.

It's a way to flip the narrative of how Indigenous women are often invisible, misrepresented, or stereotyped in media and Canadian society. Morrisseau-Keesick said she grew up having to combat stereotypes and doesn't want to see that happen to the next generation of Indigenous women and girls.

"Iwanted to create a space and help rewrite the mainstream narrative around Indigenous women, and be able to amplify their stories of resilience, strength, and their love and courage," she said.

Morrisseau-Keesick was inspired by KC Adams's photo series Perception, which shows portraits of Indigenous Winnipeggers with and without racist labels.

Collaborating with Winnipeg photographer Chelsea Francisco of Chunky Photography, Morrisseau-Keesick adapted the project to include makeup artistry.

"Racism towards Indigenous people is very real and this was a creative way to get people to think twice before making harsh assumptions about what they think they see when they see an Indigenous person," said Francisco.

"It has been very special and inspiring to read about each person's experience with racism and also with being so resilient despite what they come up against. I am glad she asked me to be a part of this to educate myself more and be able to share and educate people around me."

Five of the ten Indigenous women who took part in the feature series. Each of their portraits and stories have been shared on social media and Desiree Morrisseau-Keesick's blog. (Chelsea Francisco/Chunky Photography)

Ten Indigenous women are featured in the project to showcase an array of beauty and diversity of Indigenous women. Portraits are shared daily on social media and link back to a Q&A on Morrisseau-Keesick's blog.

Eachanswers questions about who inspires them, their proudest accomplishments, and some of the harmful stereotypes they have faced as Indigenous women.

"It takes a lot of courage to get in front of a camera and get your photo taken to put yourself out there," said Morrisseau-Keesick.

"If they see negative stereotypes they can say 'no, that's wrong."

Sarah Eyota Riel Delaronde is a member of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, and one of the participants in the 'Sisterhood' portrait series. (Chelsea Francisco/Chunky Photography)

For Sarah Delaronde, being a participant in the project brought her outside of her comfort zone.

"Over the last year, I've been trying toboost my self-esteem and confidence and try to see myself the way my loved ones see me," said Delaronde, who is Cree and Mtis.

"I have a hard time stepping outside of my bubble and opening up to people because I'm so busy with my kids. To have that out in the world is pretty unnerving but great at the same time because I can show my kidsand my younger relatives and look at all these strong Indigenous women."

Morrisseau-Keesicksaid she hopes people see the beauty and courage from each of the women, and take the time to read each of their stories.