"As a member of the Crane clan, I think about the roles and function of the crane every day. I have been taught that 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 introspec-tion, great thought, and storytelling. For me, Crane is a teacher as well as a leader whose strength comes from the power of observation and intellect" -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
