Shirley Cheechoo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shirley Cheechoo
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Cheechoo in 2022
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| Born | 1952 (age 72–73) |
| Occupation | Actor, writer, producer, director & visual artist, chancellor |
| Spouse(s) | Blake Debassige |
Shirley Cheechoo CM (Cree: ᔒᓕᒋᒍ) was born in 1952. She is a talented Cree artist from Canada. Shirley is known for many things, including acting, writing, producing, and directing films. She is also a visual artist.
Shirley is especially famous for her play called Path With No Moccasins. She also worked a lot with the De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig theatre group. Her first big acting role was in 1985 on the TV show Spirit Bay. Later, in 1997, she appeared in another TV series called The Rez.
In July 2015, Shirley Cheechoo became the chancellor of Brock University. This was a special moment because she was the first woman and the first Indigenous person to hold this important role at the university. She served as chancellor until 2020.
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Shirley Cheechoo's Early Life
Shirley Cheechoo was born in 1952 in Eastmain, Quebec. She grew up in Moose Factory and Hearst, Ontario. When she was young, Shirley spent time with her family on traplines. These were areas where people hunted and trapped animals.
At nine years old, Shirley was sent to a residential school called Shingwauk Indian Residential School. Like many others at these schools, she faced difficult times. After leaving school at fifteen, Shirley worked hard to overcome challenges. She then began to use film and theatre to share stories about healing. Her play Path with No Moccasins (1991) tells about her experiences and her journey to healing.
In the summer of 1970, Shirley also took art classes. These classes were at the Manitou Arts Foundation.
Working with De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig Theatre
Shirley Cheechoo started the De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig theatre group. It grew from a children's theatre project. Her partner, Blake Debassige, is a visual artist. He helped the theatre group a lot in its early days. He was on the board of directors and was even the president.
While working with De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig, Shirley did many jobs. She was the artistic director, which means she guided the creative side. She also managed the theatre, acted in plays, and wrote them.
Shirley Cheechoo made history as the first First Nations woman in Canada. She was the first to write, produce, direct, and act in a full-length movie.
Shirley Cheechoo's Creative Career
Shirley first became well-known across Canada because of her play Path With No Moccasins. Her first time directing a film was with a short movie called Silent Tears. This film won several awards at film festivals. It was even shown at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.
Her first full-length movie was Backroads. This film showed the challenging lives of Cree women. Shirley realized that her films could help people. She saw that movies could "ease a pain or raise an issue." Because of this, she decided to focus on filmmaking. She took writing classes, directing workshops, and attended film schools.
Many of Shirley's artworks are based on her own life. Path With No Moccasins allowed her to talk about her life. It also explored her efforts to keep her identity and Cree heritage strong. Silent Tears tells the story of a difficult winter trip. This trip was with her parents to a northern trap line when she was eight years old.
To support Indigenous artists, Shirley and Blake Debassige own Kasheese Studios. This is an art gallery. Shirley is also the president of Spoken Song, a film production company. She also started the Weengushk Film Institute on Manitoulin Island. This institute helps train and guide new filmmakers. Through the institute, she also launched the annual Weengushk International Film Festival in 2018.
Shirley's artwork is inspired by the Woodlands style. This art style was started by Norval Morrisseau. Her art has been shown all over the world. She has also created special art pieces for:
- Christmas cards for UNICEF
- Amnesty International
- The Ontario Native Women's Association
- The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto
Community and Cultural Work
Shirley Cheechoo is a mentor to many people in the Indigenous arts community. She is one of Canada's most respected artists. She visits different communities and schools. There, she holds workshops to teach about acting and playwriting. Shirley believes that art is very important for children. She has said that drama helps kids build self-esteem.
Shirley wants Indigenous people to keep working for equality and respect. She believes it is important to "continue to fight in the most positive way." This helps create a fair playing field for Indigenous people to work, live, and create.
In February 2008, Shirley received a Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was for her work in art. It was given by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. In 2013, she also received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award. This award recognized her dedication to education. She also got the Anishinabek Nation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Shirley Cheechoo's Works
Plays Written by Shirley Cheechoo
- Path With No Moccasins (1991)
- Tangled Sheets (1994)
- Your Dream Was Mine (2005)
Films Directed or Written by Shirley Cheechoo
- Shadows in Deep Water (?) - director
- Utshimassits: Place of the Boss (1996) - narrator
- Silent Tears (1998) - director, writer
- Backroads (aka Bearwalker) (2000) - director, writer
- Tracks in the Snow (2001) - producer, director
- Pikutiskaau (Mother Earth) (2003) - director
- In Shadow (2003) - director
- Johnny Tootall (2005) - director, writer
- Moose River Crossing (2013) - director, writer
Shirley Cheechoo's Media Appearances
- Spirit Bay (1984)
- Medicine River (1993)
- The Rez (1996)
- Song of Hiawatha (1997)
- Silent Tears (1998)
- Johnny Greyeyes (2000)
- Backroads (2000)
- Christmas in the Clouds (2001)
- MVP - Mrs. Lemonde (2008)
- Provided illustrations for Tales the Elders Told by Basil H. Johnston
Awards and Recognition
Shirley Cheechoo has received many awards for her work:
- Best Short Film - Silent Tears
- Telefilm Canada/Television Northern Canada Award for Best Canadian Aboriginal Language Television Program - Silent Tears (1998)
- Best Director. Reel World Film Festival (Toronto 2000)
- Lifetime Achievement Award in the area of art (2008). Given by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, now Indspire.
- CTV Fellowship Award
- Eagle Spirit Award
- Independent Filmmaker of the Year (Arizona International Film Festival) (2002).
- Best Film for Johnny Tootall at the 2005 American Indian Film Festival.
See also
- Medicine Woman - A TV show directed by Shirley Cheechoo.
