"As a member of the Crane clan, I think about the roles and functions of the crane every day. To me, Crane possesses leadership qualities in that he can see from a great distance, quietly observing and guiding the community forward. Crane's leadership comes from introspection and great thought and is known to be a great story-teller. For me, the Crane is very much a teacher as much as he is a leader." -Mike Alexander is an emerging Anishinaabe artist originally from Swan Lake First Nation in Treaty #1 territory, who lives on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. His spiritual name is Animikianikwad, or Thundercloud Man. A member of the Crane Clan, Mike's art serves to communicate stories and teachings of the Ojibway people
