About

Nicole Mandryk is of Anishinaabe, Irish, and Ukrainian descent.

Her traditional Anishinaabe name is Niibinobinesiik, which translates to "Summer Thunderbird" and comes from the loon.

Nicole has been actively reclaiming her family's identity by connecting to her culture, building relationships, and deepening her understanding of Indigeneity beyond colonial frameworks. Her maternal great-grandmother, Marie Evelyn Bigelowe, had previously attempted to reconnect with her community and regain her status but was denied by Indian Affairs. Marie Evelyn’s mother, Nicole’s great-great-grandmother Annie Laforce, lost her status when she married Jeremiah Bigelowe. Annie’s parents, Paul Laforce (Mohawk from Kanesatake) and Marie Suzanne Story (Anishinaabe/Algonquin), were married in Oka in 1825.

On her father’s side, Nicole is of Ukrainian descent. Her ancestors eventually immigrated to Canada and settled in Treaty 1 territory, on the homelands of the Métis, Cree, and Anishinaabe peoples—now known as Winnipeg.

Nicole and her sister were born and raised on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations. She is a grateful guest on these lands and raises her hands in respect to the caretakers of the land, skies, and waters.

Nicole holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria, where she was a recipient of the Audain Travel Award. This award allowed her the privilege of traveling to Japan—specifically Okinawa, Tokyo, and Kyoto—where she studied Bashōfu, a traditional banana leaf fiber. This experience deepened her interest in sustainable fashion and textile installations. She is also passionate about how dream methodology and storytelling inform the creation of physical installations and textile pieces.

In addition to her visual art practice, Nicole has been engaged in community-based creative work through song composition. Her compositions have been performed by The Wildflowers, ANSWER, and the Lafayette String Quartet as part of the B.K. Weigel/Lafayette String Quartet Legacy Project.

Nicole is also a flat-stitch beader, mentored by Jessica Gokey (Anishinaabe) and Lynette La Fontaine (Métis). Currently working with Mark Loria Gallery, located on Lekwungen territory. Her works can also be purchased directly from Nicole.