I’m Shayde Sandy
A bit about me
I am a contemporary artist and Haudenosaunee woman from Six Nations of the Grand River. From an early age, I was drawn to the arts whether it was colouring, painting, crafting, or dancing. My grandmother, Lois Porter, who was my first art teacher, played a crucial role in shaping my creative journey. She instilled in me the importance of embracing my creativity, a lesson that continues to influence my work today. I grew up surrounded by artistic minds, including my father, Ryan Sandy, a notable soapstone carver, as well as many relatives on both sides of my family who are involved in the arts.
Throughout high school, I was recognized for my artistic talents and earned the title of “Visual Artisan” from Brantford Collegiate Institute. In 2023, I graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours), majoring in Visual Art and minoring in Film. Since graduating, I have dedicated myself to being a full-time freelance artist, specializing in oil painting and portraiture. My work is characterized by a vibrant colour palette, often reminiscent of sunsets. Deeply influenced by my identity and my life on Six Nations, my art highlights the beauty and complexities of modern Native experiences.
My artwork has been exhibited at venues including Martin Luther University College, Queen’s University, FirstOntario Arts Centre, Woodland Cultural Centre, Hamilton Artists Inc., Lynnwood Arts, Casa Loma, the Canadian National Exhibition, the Government of Ontario Art Collection and Crawford Lake. I have also been featured in Queen’s Women in Leadership Magazine, APTN’s social media for Indigenous History Month, and Seeing Red Media’s social media campaign for “Reflecting Authentic Indigenous Representation.”
My work was included in the Yellowhead Institute’s report Twenty-Five Years of Gladue by Hayden King and Paula Hill, and I illustrated the cover for Dream Visitors, a book by Barbara Miller. In 2025, I designed the first-ever Indigenous GO bus wrap for Metrolinx to celebrate National Indigenous History Month, a historic milestone now in circulation for one year.
Through my art, I continue to push conversations around authentic Indigenous representation, bringing attention to the beauty and strength of Indigenous communities while honouring my roots and lived perspective.
