16 Facts About Shirley Cheechoo

Shirley Cheechoo is a Canadian Cree actress, writer, producer, director, and visual artist, best known for her solo-voice or monodrama play Path With No Moccasins, as well as her work with De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig theatre group.

Shirley Cheechoo was named chancellor of Brock University in July 2015, the institution's first female and first aboriginal chancellor.

Shirley Cheechoo was born in 1952 in Eastmain, Quebec, and grew up in Moose Factory and Hearst, Ontario.

Shirley Cheechoo attended art classes at the Manitou Arts Foundation during the summer of 1970.

Shirley Cheechoo founded De-ba-jeh-mu-jig theatre, which developed out of the children's theatre.

Shirley Cheechoo is the first First Nations woman to "write, produce, direct, and act in a feature length film from Canada".

Shirley Cheechoo first gained national attention with Path With No Moccasins.

Shirley Cheechoo realized that she could "ease a pain or raise an issue with her film work" and so dedicated herself to creating film by enrolling in writing classes, director's labs, acting workshops and film schools.

Shirley Cheechoo is the president of Spoken Song film production company and founded the Weengushk Film Institute on Manitoulin Island that will train, develop and guide independent filmmakers.

Shirley Cheechoo's artwork is inspired by Woodlands School, which is a concept given birth by Norval Morrisseau.

Shirley Cheechoo's art has been exhibited around the world, and her commissions include:.

Shirley Cheechoo is a mentor to many in the Native arts community and one of Canada's most well-known and respected artists.

Shirley Cheechoo is concerned with Indigenous people's complacency with "small advancements and the slight changes that appear when it comes to equality and respect" and believes that "We must continue to fight in the most positive way to try and find a level playing field for Indigenous people to work, live, and create in the main".

In February 2008, Shirley Cheechoo was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in the area of art by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

Shirley Cheechoo was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award in 2013 to recognize her commitment to education.

Shirley Cheechoo received the Anishinabek Nation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.