This story is featured in EPISODE 84 (click to listen)
Anna Paluch
is a PhD student in Cultural Mediations at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, whose research focuses on Indigenous North American and Eastern European Futurism, spaces of cultural hybridity, and post-memory in the diaspora.
She works at Minwaashin Lodge and Oshki Kizis Lodge, providing support in homeless outreach, shelter client care and harm reduction.
She is a curator, mixed-media artist, cultural educator with Young Polish Canadian Professional Association (YPCPA), content creator for Cielesne, executive member of both Polonia Inclusive and Polski Piknik, and a co-director of the Indigenous+Diasporic Friendship Festival in Ottawa (on hiatus).
She values cultural exchanges and sharing connections.
The image below shows two large Ukrainian-style Motanka dolls she made under the guidance of Nataliya C.: a Corn Husk doll she made at Minwaashin Lodge with her coworker Frankie P. based on the teachings by Haudenosaunee artist Shelby Lisk; a No Face doll from Pikwàkanagàn First Nations, which came with teachings by Algonquin Elder Mary Ann McPhie; and a small Gryczanka motanka made by herself based on the teachings of folk artist Joanna Wrońska.
An amazon wish list for the drop in centre and another which is a general link for donating to Minwaashin Lodge.