Li Isprii: Red River Metis Arts and Culture Review
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Li Isprii: Red River Metis Arts and Culture Review
@li-isprii.bsky.social
27 followers 66 following 25 posts
We feature in-depth interviews with Red River Metis artists and culture-makers, and arts and culture writing by Red River Metis authors.

www.liisprii.ca
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li-isprii.bsky.social
For readers who might normally steer clear of "Western" fiction, Finding Flora by Metis author Elinor Florence is an opportunity to dip a toe back into the genre. Jeremy Allard found it fun, light, and romantic, without the negative tropes.

#metis #indigenous 🌎📚💙

www.liisprii.ca/magazine/202...
White text on a blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “[Stylized Li Isprii Logo], Book Review: Finding Flora by Elinor Florence” In a white frame on a blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers the poster image for “Finding Flora” appears. The cover features a painted prairie landscape in warm greens, with a cream-coloured sky. The title appears in large curling letters. A quote in white text on a blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “Florence emphasizes that the happy ending is an important part of her brand, noting that readers today are weary of dark, disturbing content and want to be inspired.”
December 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
li-isprii.bsky.social
From avant-garde film festival darlings to gritty dramas, stop-motion animation to rom-coms, Red River Metis filmmakers are making movies, TV shows, and miniseries across genres and the diaspora.

#metis #indigenous #film

www.liisprii.ca/magazine/202...
Rows of movie posters line the top and bottom of the image. In the centre, white text on an orange background reads, “[Stylized Li Isprii Logo], Spotlight on Metis Filmmakers”
November 20, 2025 at 8:36 PM
li-isprii.bsky.social
Li Isprii presents: an in-depth interview with Haley Bassett, an award-winning Métis interdisciplinary artist. Bassett generously shared stories about her family, her path into the arts, the work she creates, and where she’s going next.

#metis #indigenous #art

www.liisprii.ca/magazine/202...
White text on a dark blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “[Stylized Li Isprii Logo], Conversations, Returning Spirit to a Land in Crisis: A Conversation with Métis Artist Haley Bassett” White text on a dark blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “Haley is an interdisciplinary artist. Her work blends mediums, including beadwork and textiles, cratting sculptures and installations that explore themes of identity, culture, land, heritage, history, labour, and place.” Above the text is a photo of Haley Bassett. She has dark, curly, shoulder length hair, and is wearing a black long sleeve shirt, fringe earrings, and a small smile. She sits in a chair against a beige wall. The bottom edge of a painting in a gilded frame is visible at the top of the image, above her head. A quote in white text on a dark blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “Beading came to me when I needed it most. They say beads have spirit, and negotiating with thousands of little spirits is incredibly challenging and immensely gratifying. - Haley Bassett”
November 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
li-isprii.bsky.social
Jeremy Allard reviews Kohkom's Babushka by Lianna Makuch and Joleen Ballendine. A family-friendly theatrical adaptation of a children's book by the same name, Kohkom's Babushka takes on the challenging subject of Ukrainian-Metis reconciliation.

#metis #theatre

www.liisprii.ca/magazine/202...
White text on a blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “[Stylized Li Isprii Logo], Running Toward the Storm: A Review of Kohkom's Babushka by Lianna Makuch and Joleen Ballendine” In a white frame a blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers the poster image for “Kohkom’s Babushka” appears. The cover features the colourful silhouette of a tied Babushka scarf. Inside the silhouette two girls stand on either side of a large tree. The title appears in bold purple lettering. A quote in white text on a blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “Makuch and Ballendine became 'real-life best friends' after meeting in junior high in 2001, and their decades long friendship can be felt in every line of dialog. There is a realness to the girls, and their friendship, that gives the play much of its weight and strength.”
October 25, 2025 at 10:24 PM
li-isprii.bsky.social
Jeremy Allard reviews Beaver Hills Forever, a new "Poetic Novella" by Metis author Conor Kerr, published by @arsenalpulp.bsky.social. Not sure what to expect from a "poetic novella"? Wondering if it's for you? We've got answers.

#metis #indigenous 🌎📚💙

www.liisprii.ca/magazine/202...
White text on a blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “[Stylized Li Isprii Logo], Book Review, Beaver Hills Forever by Conor Kerr” In a white frame a blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers the cover of "Beaver Hills Forever by Conor Kerr" appears. The cover has the look of an ink drawing and features a beaver swimming through a liquid dark enough to be oil with a lit match in its mouth in the foreground, and a city skyline in the background. A quote in white text on a blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “As poetry, it reminded me more of the popular 'slam' style, with larger-than-life characters baring their hopes and dreams directly to the audience in a way that felt distinctly 'oral, and somehow more real than reality...” White text on a blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “Read the full review at liisprii.ca”
October 10, 2025 at 11:34 PM
li-isprii.bsky.social
The October/November edition of Metis Reads is here! Featuring books by Brittany Penner, Emily Grafton, and other titles of interest. Jump in and find a few great books available for pre-order!

#Metis #Indigenous 🌎📚💙

www.liisprii.ca/magazine/202...
Rows of book covers line the top and bottom of the image. In the centre, white text on a light blue background reads, “[Stylized Li Isprii Logo], Metis Reads, October/November 2025”
October 1, 2025 at 7:09 PM
li-isprii.bsky.social
A small roundup of indigenous-owned shops selling orange shirts for Orange Shirt Day, and a few thoughts on a hard day.

#indigenous #metis

www.liisprii.ca/magazine/202...
White text surrounded by white dot painted flowers on an orange background reads “[Li Isprii stylized logo] 5 Indigenous-Owned Options for Orange Shirt Day.”
September 30, 2025 at 8:13 PM
li-isprii.bsky.social
We’re open for submissions! Seeking arts and culture writing on a wide range of subjects, by Red River Metis writers of all experience levels.

Full guidelines at: www.liisprii.ca/submission-guidelines

#metis #michif #indigenous #writingcommunity
White text on a pale blue gradient with a faint purple tint reads, “[Stylized Li Isprii Logo], Call for Submissions” White text on a pale blue gradient with a faint purple tint reads, “[Stylized Li Isprii Logo], Are you a new, emerging, or established Red River Metis writer? Li Isprii wants to hear from you! Tell us about the art that has shaped you. Review a Metis show, book, movie, or album. Interview a Metis artist. Compare multiple pieces of media. Explore trends in Metis media and representation. We're interested in all of this, and more! All we need from you is a bio explaining your relationship to Red River, and a pitch. Details at: liisprii.ca/submission-guidelines”
September 1, 2025 at 11:39 PM
li-isprii.bsky.social
In the grand tradition of introductions, we inaugurate Li Isprii with an interview with the interviewer, Li Isprii Creative Director Jeremy Allard. A deep and wide ranging conversation touching on editorial intent, beadwork, fashion, photojournalism, and mixology.

www.liisprii.ca/magazine/202...
White text on a dark blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “[Stylized Li Isprii Logo], Conversations, Gleeful Mischief and the Metis Aesthetic: A Conversation with Li Isprii Creative Director Jeremy Allard” White text on a dark blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “Jeremy Allard is the head editorial decision maker, majority owner, and Creative Director of Li Isprii. He is a beadwork artist, works as a bar manager in Banff, Alberta, and designs cocktails for menus and competitions.” Above the text is a photo of Jeremy Allard looking over a colourful art gallery atrium exhibit in Saskatoon. He is wearing a dark jean jacket; the back panel is decorated with traditional Metis flower beadwork. A quote in white text on a dark blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “There's been a lot of really exciting stuff happening in the Metis arts scene. The thing we're lacking is not great art or great artists, it's the space to have a conversation about it that is informed by our own specific culture and geography - Jeremy Allard” White text on a dark blue-green background decorated with small, white, dot-painted flowers reads, “Read the full interview at liisprii.ca”
September 1, 2025 at 11:33 PM
li-isprii.bsky.social
We’re delighted to announce the launch of Li Isprii: Red River Metis Arts and Culture Review, celebrating Red River Metis writers, artists, and culture-makers throughout the homeland and beyond!

Visit us at: www.liisprii.ca

#metis #michif #indigenous
Blue text on a pale blue background framed by watercolour water splashes reads: “Introducing: [Stylized Li Isprii Logo] A Red River Metis Arts and Culture Review” Blue text on a pale blue background framed by watercolour water splashes reads: “Li Isprii publishes arts and culture writing by Red River Metis authors, featuring Red River Metis artists, for a Red River Metis audience. Available now at: liisprii.ca Piihtikway | Bienvenue | Welcome”
September 1, 2025 at 11:11 PM