About

Hadih. My name is Emily and I am a 27 year old, Indigenous illustrator and artist living in unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territories (aka Vancouver, BC).

I am a member of the Stellat’en First Nation and my heritage is Dakelh & Black from my mom’s side, Scandinavian from my dad’s side. I grew up on my traditional territories in the northern interior of BC before moving to Vancouver in 2016 to pursue post-secondary education, graduating from UBC with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2021.

My work often incorporates wildlife and plants from my traditional territory such as birch trees, salmon and caribou. I am Luksilyoo (Caribou Clan) and caribou are a particularly meaningful symbol in my art because they are endangered. My artwork reflects my passion for ecology, for the land, and for Indigenous land stewardship.

I love to create whimsical art with fairies, fantasy and magic. For my entire life, I have had an avid interest in books and video games, but authentic Indigenous representation was slim when I was a kid. Through my art, I hope to contribute to the ever growing representation of Indigenous characters and stories in media.

emily graceanna pearson

@ditnik.kwun

about the name “ditnik kwun”

Ditnik Kwun is the Dakelh name for a flower commonly known as Indian paintbrush. It has always been my favourite wildflower because I love how its vibrant red petals contrast against the green landscape in the summer. So, when I first started sharing my art on social media, the flower struck me as a perfect fit for my username!