The Collective

Aunty Collective is owned and operated by Indigenous Aunties

Sarah Rhude, Alysha Brown and Megan Whonnock, who have a combined 55 years of experience working within Indigenous community and Indigenous-focused departments within the Arts and Culture, Education, Social Development, Administration and Advocacy sectors.

We share our artistic/professional practices both within community and professionally including painting, drum and rattle making, moccasin and leather work, beading, regalia making, designing, sewing, sculpture, multi-media, singing, dance, performance, drumming, theater and medicine making. We have curated art exhibitions, exhibited multi-media art, and performed in theaters, festivals, community events, conferences, schools and more, on Vancouver Island and beyond. We are educators, social workers, youth workers, administrators, academics, artists, parents, grandparents, and community members. We consult and provide professional development within the aforementioned sectors. Our experience and skills are a testament to our strength in relationship building and the trust we hold within our various and shared communities. We look forward to welcoming you into our Indigenous Art, Culture & Learning Hub!

The Collective

To create an accessible commerce platform for Indigenous peoples and a place for all to access authentic Indigenous works.

Moccasins, regalia, beaded and woven jewelry, leatherwork, medicines, drums, rattles, and more; contemporary and traditional works, from ready-to-wear art to heirloom pieces are available in our shop.

Our Story

Aunty Collective Art, Culture, Learning Hub addresses the need to reframe our relationship with Western systems in a way that honours the natural agency of Indigenous peoples to work and learn from within our own ways of knowing and being.

Here, we enact sovereign creative practices, create art/ cultural programming, and host gallery, studio, rental and retail space where Indigenous artists are fairly compensated for their work. We are an Indigenous women/Indigequeer owned and operated, trauma-informed art and culturally focused creative space. Aunty collective supports and creates capacity and access to authentic, creative, Indigenous practices, and creates a space that is accessible for allies to witness and learn more about our lives/stories/creative practices.

Join The Collective

Membership Plans

Aunty Collective offers memberships for Indigenous artists at different levels.

    • High-speed wifi, utilities, kitchenette

    • Access to Aunty Collective studio/lounge space

    • Downtown location

    • Opportunities to participate in AC group/members exhibitions and community events

    • Members' socials and community art-drop in nights

      As we grow, we will be fluid with some of the facets of the membership structures. We ask for your patience and flexibility as we grow our Indigenous Art, Culture & Learning Hub!

    • Access to the retail shop and website commerce platform with a profile on our website and marketing on social media

    • 75/25 consignment split on works displayed in the shop/website

    • Drop-in use of shared studio space during predetermined drop-in times

    • Use of shared supplies in shared studio space + dedicated locker/shelf

    • Access to the retail shop and website commerce platform with a profile on our website and marketing on social media

    • 75/25 consignment split on works displayed in the shop/website

    • Opportunity to facilitate workshops using AC fee schedule

    • Entrance to art exhibitions and performances hosted by AC

    • Access to the retail shop and website commerce platform with a profile on our website and marketing on social media

    • 75/25 consignment split on works displayed in the shop/website

    • Membership rates on rentals

    • Scheduled alone studio time and drop-in use of shared studio space

    • First call for paid facilitation of workshops using AC fee schedule

    • Use of shared supplies and purchase of supplies at cost

    • Dedicated locker/shelf

    • Discounts on AC workshops

Aunty Collective Fellowships: The Aunty Collective Fellowship offers zero-fee membership at Aunty Collective for a pre-determined time in exchange for providing support and helping to maintain Aunty Collective Art Culture & Learning Hub. Selected fellows will work 12-15 hours per month. In exchange Fellows will receive a fellowship membership- similar to a level 3 membership.

Meet the Collective

  • Alysha Brown

    Alysha Brown

    Swampy Cree

    Read Bio

  • Andrea Fritz

    Lyackson First Nation

    Read Bio
  • Audi Webster

    Andrea (Audi) Webster

    Ahousaht
    She/Her

    Read Bio

  • Bada Jean

    Ahtahkakoop Cree | Tsuut’ina Nation | Welsh
    She/Her

    Read Bio

  • Brenna Emile

    Cree Métis

    Read Bio
  • Brittany Sampson

    Brittany Sampson

    Coast Salish

    Read Bio

  • Candice Cook

    Cree

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  • Chantelle Douglas

    Cree | Oneida

    Read Bio
  • Crystal Robertson

    Cystal Robertson

    Métis

    Read Bio

  • Danica Paul

    Songhees | Tsartlip

    Read Bio

  • G Jules

    Simpcw Fist Nation | Swiss-German
    They/Them

    Read Bio

  • Grandma Jean Smith

    'Na̱mg̱is First Nation

    Read Bio

  • Inktsu Manson

    Tla-o-qui-aht

    Read Bio

  • Jody Bauche

    Métis
    She/Her

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  • Katie Pootoogook Manomie

    Katie Pootoogook Manomie

    Inuk

    Read Bio
  • Kayanne Carleton nee. Bradford

    Kayanne Carleton nee. Bradford

    Cree Métis

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  • Krista Amyotte

    Michif

    Click Here

  • Krysta Furioso

    Anishinaabe

    Read Bio

  • Laura Manson

    Tla-o-qui-aht

    Read Bio

  • Marsha C.

    Kwakwaka'wakw

    Read Bio
  • Megan Whonnock

    Megan Whonnock

    Sayisi Dene First Nation

    Read Bio
  • Molly Long

    Molly Long

    Métis
    She/Her

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  • Nicole Geary

    Sahtu-Dene

    Read Bio
  • Nicole Mandryk

    Nicole Mandryk

    Anishinaabe

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  • Pam Russ

    Pam Russ

    Nisga'a

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  • Sarah Rhude

    Sarah Rhude

    lnu'sgw | Gespe'gewa'gi | Mi'kmaq

    Read Bio

  • Randy Babichuck

    Ucluelet First Nation

    Read Bio

  • Tea Lee

    Scw'exmx | Nlaka'pamux Nation | Celtic

    Read Bio

  • Tobias Tomlinson

    Chickasaw-Cherokeee

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  • “I recently participated in a workshop that was hosted by the Aunty Collective. This workshop offered attendees an opportunity to reflect deeply on the traditional teachings of the Medicine Wheel as seen and taught through the lens of the Cree and Métis. The workshop was transformative for all those who attended. I can’t imagine this experience would have been the same if it was offered in a non-Indigenous setting. I think it’s very important to consider spaces like the Aunty Collective for Indigenous workshops and learning because the meaning is much more impactful and authentic.”

  • “The Aunties are powerful knowledge holders. They shared their teachings with us with such humility and compassion. I felt embraced and also lifted up through the workshop. I was deeply moved and will never forget how transformative the time I spent with the Aunties was.”

  • “The medicine walk and workshop I attended with Aunties was so useful. I had no idea all the "weeds" I see every day are powerful medicines. Can't wait to share what I learned with my students!”

  • “The drum workshop I took with Aunties profoundly shifted my relationship with Indigenous ways of knowing and being. I was truly moved and inspired. Working with the hide, sinew, and cedar was such a privilege. Waking up the drum was like nothing I've experienced before I am grateful beyond words for all the teachings shared with us.”

  • “I have very sensitive problematic skin and eczema and it was in full flare when I arrived at the retreat and had forgotten any kind of cream. I used your salve the first day on my face and I have not stopped. It has been come my skin crème and eczema treatment daily and I am already out! If you make bigger jars, I would be happy to just buy bigger ones. If you need a testimonial for your products please let me know, I can rave about the salve all day long 😊. Thank you for making these and sharing your knowledge of medicines.”

  • “Your knowledge and years of practical experience teaching in the educational system is the perfect combination for you to teach this course in a way that is super meaningful and important for students. When I read their testimonials I could not stop thinking that you have directly impacted a lot of children and youth throughout the province since the teachers who learned with you go back to teach their children, so what you do has a really large positive effect range.”

  • “In this place and the warmth of those who offered the space for an event I attended, I finally felt personally and profoundly connected to the land in the new city I just landed last year”