Dallas Karonhia’nó:ron Canady Binette is a two-spirit Kanienkéha’ka (Mohawk) artist from Kanehsatake First Nation. Self-taught, he has used digital art as a medium to express himself and his indigenous identity for over 7 years. He focuses mainly on concept art and character design, but recently has turned towards using his art as an effective means to shed light on issues relating to colonialism and generational trauma.

Canady Binette draws on experiences from his childhood, where he moved around the mainland United States for several years before re-settling in Canada. Often, this meant feeling like a stranger in his own home. Combined with the fact that his Native roots were hidden from him for many years, self-knowledge and understanding were fraught and confusing.

As a teenager, he began to examine his gender identity and sexuality, and found that he felt most comfortable expressing this in a largely LGBTQ+ art space online.  His character designs represented internal feelings, and allowed him a space to feel safe when the real world seemed unaccepting. Being able to make art and converse with like-minded people was empowering, and inspired him to create more

In 2015, he moved back to the greater Montréal area to finish his education. Finally, he was able to reconnect with his Kanienkéha’ka roots, learning more about his culture, and most importantly, his family. Having a newfound, deep appreciation of who he was and from where he came gave him a greater sense of the importance of his path as an artist. Now in 2020, he aims to use his skills to illuminate issues that have been facing indigenous peoples since time immemorial. All of this is inspired by a deep respect for his ancestors, Mother Earth, and hope for the next seven generations. He is very much inspired by other indigenous artists such as Tsista Kennedy (Ojibwe/Oneida) and Christi Belcourt (Michif).