dlúne    æîk’ãzñ   - mouse spirit power by Heather Shillinglaw honors over 30 years of collaboration with her mother and Elder Shirley Norris Shillinglaw from Cold Lake First Nation. Rooted in Denesuline knowledge systems, the work emerged through the artist’s animal spirit guide, dlúne æîk’ãzñ—mouse spirit power—a being that embodies attentiveness, humility, and care.

Working from the perspective of the mouse, the artist invites viewers into a space of smallness and sensitivity. Upon entering, the viewer is asked to take on this perspective—close to the ground, aware of subtle shifts, and moving with intention. This vantage point re-frames the land not as a resource, but as a living relation.

The works take the form of relief installations and art quilts, created through processes of reuse and up-cycling. Each material carries its own history of use and transformation, reflecting the ongoing impacts of industry and colonization on the land. Through this approach, the artist considers the tension between extraction and stewardship, emphasizing the importance of taking only what is needed.

Plants, as carriers of culture and healing, are central to Heathers practice. Harvesting is guided by time, place, and the artist’s maternal relationships to the land. Learning alongside Elders and within community informs a practice grounded in lived experience, responsibility, and continuity.

This exhibition invites reflection on shared responsibilities to the land, encouraging viewers to consider how to move through the world with greater awareness, respect, and intention.

Artist Bio

Heather Shillinglaw was born in Daysland, Alberta and is a member of Cold Lake First Nation with Métis ancestry. Her practice is rooted in relationships with Elders, land-based learning, and the revitalization of Indigenous languages. Each body of work begins with shared tea and storytelling with family and Elders. She weaves narratives of resilience, memory, and ecological awareness into each of her works. She titles her works in Indigenous languages to support cultural preservation and collaborates with ecologists and biologists to explore the environmental impacts of colonization.

Her textile-based works incorporate poetry, including texts by Métis author Marylin Dumont, reflecting a growing integration of language and material practice. Shillinglaw has developed work through residencies at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and exhibits nationally and internationally. Her work is held in public and private collections, including major Canadian banks. Recent and upcoming exhibitions include RÉCITS DE LA CRÉATION DU MONDE – Creation Stories (2024–25) and a solo exhibition at the Esplanade Gallery, Medicine Hat (2026).

Enjoyed the exhibition?

Join us in t he gallery for an immersive textile workshop inspired by the large-scale fibre sculptures of artist Heather Shillinglaw.

Living Threads Workshop