I am a Nakawe (Saulteaux) from Rolling River First Nations, deeply involved with Indigenous communities across Canada. My work spans cultural coordination, visual storytelling, and Indigenous language reclamation, with a focus on creating bridges between knowledge keepers, educators, and community partners. I am also a stay-at-home father and self-employed facilitator who develops programs that support social and mental development, language learning, and cultural expression for Indigenous youth and families. In addition to my creative practice (photography, graphic novels, poetry), I have led Indigenous engagement initiatives in college and community settings, coordinated Pow Wows and events, and collaborated with non-profit organizations to advance Indigenous education, healing, and representation through literature and art.

Neal Freeland

I am a Nakawe (Saulteaux) from Rolling River First Nations, deeply involved with Indigenous communities across Canada. My work spans cultural coordination, visual storytelling, and Indigenous language reclamation, with a focus on creating bridges between knowledge keepers, educators, and community partners. I am also a stay-at-home father and self-employed facilitator who develops programs that support social and mental development, language learning, and cultural expression for Indigenous youth and families. In addition to my creative practice (photography, graphic novels, poetry), I have led Indigenous engagement initiatives in college and community settings, coordinated Pow Wows and events, and collaborated with non-profit organizations to advance Indigenous education, healing, and representation through literature and art.

Available to hire

I am a Nakawe (Saulteaux) from Rolling River First Nations, deeply involved with Indigenous communities across Canada. My work spans cultural coordination, visual storytelling, and Indigenous language reclamation, with a focus on creating bridges between knowledge keepers, educators, and community partners. I am also a stay-at-home father and self-employed facilitator who develops programs that support social and mental development, language learning, and cultural expression for Indigenous youth and families.

In addition to my creative practice (photography, graphic novels, poetry), I have led Indigenous engagement initiatives in college and community settings, coordinated Pow Wows and events, and collaborated with non-profit organizations to advance Indigenous education, healing, and representation through literature and art.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Illustrator, Writer at Kegedonce Press
February 2, 2026 - Present
Wrote and Illustrated the forthcoming graphic novel Niikaniganaw
Poet at Kegedonce Press
February 2, 2026 - November 30, 2021
Wrote the book of poetry "Through the Eyes of Asunder"
Illustrator, Writer at Kegedonce Press
February 3, 2020 - November 27, 2020
Wrote, illustrated the graphic novel The Krillian Key
Stay-at-home Father / Self-Employed at Ottawa, ON
November 1, 2019 - Present
Implemented extracurricular activities for social and mental development; managed nutrition learning for child; developed self-regulation techniques; maintained organized family schedules; engaged in bilingual language learning (Anishinaabemowin and English).
Illustrator at Lorimer
January 1, 2019 - November 29, 2019
Illustrated the award winning graphic novel "If I Go Missing"
Indigenous Cultural Animator / Aboriginal Liaison at Cégep Heritage College, Gatineau
January 1, 2016 - Present
Indigenous liaison between students and college; event management; recruitment; organized Indigenous knowledge keepers, Elders, and artists; created Indigenous resource directory for Gatineau/Ottawa.
Team Lead at The Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity, Ottawa
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Coordinator of the counselling support team for Ally-ship in Action Forum; recruitment; provided counseling as needed; organized overnight counselors for emergencies.
Aboriginal Event Coordinator, Mamidosewin Centre at Algonquin College, Ottawa
December 1, 2015 - Present
Indigenous liaison for students and college, event management, recruitment of knowledge keepers/Elders, coordination of Indigenous graduation activities, and development of Indigenous resource directory.
RFP Writer / Event Coordination at Native Women's Association of Canada, Ottawa
November 1, 2015 - Present
Event management, recruitment, RFP writing, executive assistance; stakeholder liaison; contributed to Pow Wow Pitch initiatives.
Pow Wow Coordinator at Odawa Native Friendship Centre, Ottawa
September 1, 2014 - September 1, 2015
Social media management, site management, fundraising, liaison with municipal government, vendors, dancers, drummers, Elders; organized annual pow wow with cross-regional participation.

Education

Diploma in Social Service Worker at Algonquin College
January 11, 2030 - July 6, 2026
Indigenous Cultural Animator at Cégep Heritage College, Gatineau
January 11, 2030 - July 6, 2026

Qualifications

Indigenous Voices Award
January 1, 2021 - July 6, 2026
Forest of Reading - Red Maple Award (20020) - If I Go Missing
January 1, 2020 - July 6, 2026
First Nation Communities READ Award - If I Go Missing
January 1, 2020 - July 6, 2026
Syd Ford Memorial Award
January 1, 2013 - July 6, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Healthcare, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Government
    Nshannacappo's Character Designs
    Characters I've designed for D&D players and for a graphic novel called Land, Water, Sky. graphicdesigner illustrator