Modern Clan
At Modern Clan, we know Indigenous communities, organizations, and businesses require various approaches to build stronger and more prosperous communities and organizations. We offer an extensive number of solutions to assist our clients in a broad range of areas.
The expertise and knowledge of our professionals allow Modern Clan to advise on key challenges Indigenous communities and organizations face across Canada. Our goal is to come up with effective, customized solutions to solve problems and maximize opportunities for the Indigenous Nations and clients we serve. With strong connections and knowledge working with the Indigenous community, we came together with a vision to help create positive sustainable change for our clients and Nations. Our teams deep roots in our traditions and values work hand in hand with the clients and Indigenous Nations we work with.
Randy L. Barton
Hello my people, my name is Randy Barton.
I am from the Near The Water clan.
I am born for the Salt clan.
My maternal Grandpa is from the Towering House clan.
My paternal Grandpa is from the Many Goats clan.
That is how I am a Man.
Randy L Barton (dine’) is a multi-disciplined, contemporary artist, designer, dancer, DJ, and music producer from Winslow, AZ best known for his visionary abstract paintings, live painting performances, and innovative style. The foundation of his creations derives from the unique combination of his background in hip-hop, graffiti art, and the traditional Navajo teachings and ceremonies that began shaping his life at an early age.
Randy began focusing on art as a profession in 2001 after receiving a degree in graphic design and began painting professionally in 2007. He showcases the beauty way, protection way, and hip-hop undertones in all of his work and is inspired by colors and hues of heightened states of awareness. He transforms acrylic and aerosol paint into stimulating abstract landscapes of time travel, rainbow walking, prayer, reflection, and soul remembrance manifested from the spirit realm. Each brush stroke is a prayer and moving meditation of creation from spirit to canvas. His intention is to uplift one’s spirit to new dimensions of spirituality by utilizing Neo-contemporary native arts as the vehicle to promote healing and consciousness.
His work is included in the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles; the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, AZ; the Albuquerque International Sunport; the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History; the Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque, NM; and the Eldorado Hotel in Santa Fe, NM as well as in many private collections.
Janelle Desrosiers
Taanishi, bonjour, hello!
My name is Janelle Desrosiers, and I’m a Michif (Red River Métis) and French-Canadian, two-spirit woman from Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba. My Michif family names are Vermette and Richard, and my Franco-Manitoban family names are Dugas, Desrosiers, Manaigre, and Tougas. My relations come from southeastern Manitoba (Richer, Ste. Genevieve, Ste. Anne).
There are many reasons why I love working with other Indigenous and intersectional feminist entrepreneurs and community leaders. The primary reason is that we know our gifts are meant to be cultivated so that the fruits of our labour can be shared.
We work hard at cultivating our gifts, but not just for ourselves.
We ask “how can I cultivate my gifts to make the world a better place?”
We seek ways that our cultivated gifts can bring joy, or wellness, or safety, or stability, or opportunity to others. We honour our gifts by investing in ourselves, our families, our communities, and ultimately in our world. Self-actualization in the service of the collective.
Getting to gather with a group of women, and seeing how many incredible things are happening in this world because of their cultivation and actualization is breathtaking. I’m so grateful to witness this magic, and so honoured to be able to use my own gifts to serve others.
Kalene J. Big Knife
Tahnsi [Hello in Cree]! I am a member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation, Montana. I am a graphic designer and an illustrator. I work both in digital illustration and hand-drawn illustration to celebrate my heritage and all of Indian Country. My life passions and creative interests include: Indigenous language revitalization, comics, video games, humor, Indigenous representation in pop culture, fiction writing, painting, and cats, especially cats.
https://www.kaybigknifedesign.com/highlight-design-projects
Roy Boney, Jr.
ᎣᏏᏲ ᏂᎦᏓᏊ, He is an artist and writer. Here’s a brief overview of some of what he does.
His name is ᎧᏂᎦ ᎪᎳᎭ Roy Boney, Jr. a citizen of the ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᏟ Cherokee Nation living in Tahlequah, OK. He is an award winning filmmaker, artist, and writer. His work has been shown throughout the United States and internationally.
Megan Currie
Designer, artist, avid traveler, photographer, illustrator, from English River First Nation (Dene/Metis) …X-ing’s creative director Megan Currie specializes in cross-cultural design and communication as well as branding.
Her latest endeavors had her involved in rebranding a local university, revamping a national magazine, producing stunning annual reports & publications whilst knocking out a few logos in between.
Her educational pursuits have taken her through Northlands Design College in Melbourne, Australia, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Las Universidad de las Americas in Cholula, Mexico, and finally The First Nations University of Canada here in Regina.
This global education, combined with her First Nation background, provides her with a unique perspective on design that is evident in her techniques, styles, and design process.
Sébastien Aubin
Sébastien Aubin has worked for Kolegram, one of the most prestigious graphic design studios in Québec, and has since shaped his professional career as a freelance graphic artist. Aubin has done publications for numerous artists, organizations and art galleries in Winnipeg, Montréal and Ottawa, including Plug In ICA Close Encounters, the next 500 years, Terrance Houle, KC Adams, Carleton University Art Gallery, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, and Art Gallery of South Western Manitoba. Aubin is one of the founding members of the ITWÉ collective that is dedicated to research, creation, production and education of Aboriginal digital culture. Currently based in Montréal, QC, Sébastien Aubin is a proud member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba
Sonny Assu
Sonny Assu (Liǥwildaʼx̱w of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nations) was raised in North Delta, BC, over 250 km away from his home ancestral home on Vancouver Island. Having been raised as your everyday average suburbanite, it wasn’t until he was eight years old that he discovered his Liǥwildax̱w/Kwakwaka’wakw heritage. Later in life, this discovery would be the conceptual focal point that helped launch his unique art practice.
His work has been accepted into the National Gallery of Canada, Seattle Art Museum, Vancouver Art Gallery, Museum of Anthropology at UBC, Burke Museum at the University of Washington, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Hydro Quebec, Lotto Quebec, and in various other public and private collections across Canada, the United States and the UK.
MABU
Originally the childhood nickname of our founder and CEO, Mike Mabin, MABU is now an abbreviation for our full company name: Marketing & Advertising Business Unlimited, Inc.
Mike started the company in 2001 following a 20-year career in healthcare administration, marketing, and fundraising. Following in the footsteps of other storytellers and trailblazers in his family tree, he saw a need to serve the underserved – namely non-profit organizations, public service providers, and Native American entities. An enrolled member and citizen of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana, Mike is deeply committed to advancing the economic, workforce, and community development efforts of tribal communities and Native-owned companies.
Today, MABU is an expanding team of over 20 who work closely and collaboratively to meet the needs of our select client base. We ensure our clients get the most out of their investment by providing strategic marketing advice and building upon proven practices with innovative platforms and creative ingenuity.
