In Conversation: Janet Antone and Emily Schuyler, Specialist, Indigenous London Arts
- ahlynialuk
- Sep 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 24
In Conversation
Janet Antone interviews Emily Schuyler about her experience as an Indigenous artist navigating questions such as "What constitutes fine art?" while Emily shares stories from her past that illuminate some of the hurdles and injustices (including microagressions and racism) Indigenous artists face while reflecting on advice she would give to her younger self. The interview took place during Emily Schuyler's training period with Janet Antone who was the previous administrator for Indigenous London Arts through the London Arts Council.
or download the transcription below:
Emily Schuyler is a multi-media artist from Oneida Nation of the Thames. She holds a certificate and advanced diploma in Fine Arts from Fanshawe college, and a Bachelor of Studio Arts degree from the Institute of American Indian Arts.
Emily creates mixed-media work that explores themes of identity and memory, by combining her cultural teachings, knowledge, and her experience as an Indigenous person living in the twenty-first century using both traditional and contemporary methods of art making.
Works Referenced
Referenced in the interview are two works by Emily, the first, Oneida 240 (2019), a photo transferred map of Oneida onto leather with 240 hand-sewn shell beads, approx. 4 x 3 ft. The second is Satka'tho (2023) made with leather, plastic, false lashes, brass.
Janet Antone (She/Her) is a proud member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames. She has always strived to be an impactful community member, doing her best to create positive change within her community.
Janet is a graduate of Fanshawe College’s Music Industry Arts program. She has worked for three years as an Arts Administrator at Native Earth Performing Arts, has stage managed the Summerworks programmed of Medicine Boy by Waawaate Fobister, and has worked at the Oneida Language and Cultural centre as the audio technician and administrative assistant, helping to preserve the Oneida Language through audio and visual mediums.
Janet also started her beadwork journey 10 years ago and unofficially launched her beadwork business, Ms. Antone’s Beadwork, in 2018. Her beadwork has been all over the world (Africa, US, New Zealand, Scotland & Norway), as well as appearing in television series such as Letterkenny, Shoresy, and Rutherford Falls, for which she received a merit mention on Vogue.com.
Janet was the Administrator, Indigenous London Arts at the London Arts Council from 2023 to July, 2025.
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