Michelle Lorna Nahanee

Michelle Lorna Nahanee

Michelle Lorna Nahanee (Squamish) is the designer of a life-size board game and workshop called Sínulhkay and Ladders.  She is a creative director, critical communications scholar and Indigenous change maker. Michelle recently completed a Master of Arts in Communication from Simon Fraser University where she wrote “Decolonizing Identity: Indian Girl to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Matriarch.” She concluded her research with a call to dismantle academic barriers to decolonizing practices. Michelle grew up in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh community Eslha7an, and then East Vancouver. She works within the intersection of class, race, culture and creativity as a communications consultant and graphic artist.  Michelle has worked on social justice projects for over 20 years with First Nations organizations across Canada. From health promotion to gender equity, Michelle’s collaborations have influenced opinions, changed behaviours and mobilized community action. She is the founder of Decolonizing Practices, a collaborative of like minds who are committed to dismantling neocolonialism.

Michelle, with her daughter, Paisley Nahanee, facilitated a LEVEL YPP session together.