20 Questions with Labrador artist Raeann Brown

1 . What is your full name?

Raeann Brown and my maiden name is Manak.

2 . Where and when were you born?

Montreal, in 1986.

3 . Where do you live today?

Labrador City.

4 . What’s your favourite place in the world?

Even though it was the place I wanted to get away from the most when I was younger, I would say Postville, Nunatsiavut. It’s my hometown (and) it will always be my favourite place in the whole world.

5 . Who do you follow on social media?

Once I’m done work, I try to stay away from social media. No one in particular, but I do like to listen to motivational podcasts.

6 . What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I honestly can’t think of anything. Maybe that I was a really shy kid.

7 . What’s been your favourite year and why?

Even though it was the year the world stopped I would have to say last year. Not because everything was shut down, I know a lot (of people) went through hardship, but because I had to really take a moment, take a break. I was so used to being go, go, go all the time and that forced me to be still and learn that I don’t always have to be going all the time for things to be OK. I learned how to be content with myself and not be so busy.

8 . What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

When I decided I was going to go all in and start my business. When I decided to expand from a home-based (business) to my store, I think that might be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done because it’s so scary.

9 . Can you describe one experience that changed your life?

When I lost my father. I was young, I was 10 and, even though I had lost a grandfather previously, it made me look at life. I was a child when it happened and looking back, it’s my first experience of feeling like I was growing up. It put life into perspective, knowing that nothing is forever. It changed me.

10 . What’s your greatest indulgence?

Doing absolutely nothing. When you own your own business, especially when you’re starting it, you don’t have any days off. So for me, my greatest indulgence is not having to do anything that needs to be done and just writing or painting or just lying in bed doing nothing.

11. What is your favourite movie or book?

My favourite movie is probably “Matilda.” For about a year after my dad passed, my little sister used to want to watch it after school; she was just in kindergarten and it was her favourite movie. Now, when we get together (we don’t live in the same community anymore), we make a point of sitting down and watching “Matilda” together, just to bring us back. As for a book, any of Robert Munsch’s children’s books.

12. How do you like to relax?

I like to put on podcasts or watch a good TV show, but in the summer, we take out our camper. Relaxing for me is just being able to go to the camper, sit around a fire, go kayaking, just being by the water and not having to interact with anybody, just nature.

13 . What are you reading or watching right now?

I’m not actually watching or reading anything right now, just listening to podcasts.

14 . What is your greatest fear?

I think my greatest fear is that I won’t make a difference. That when this is done and I’m gone, the things I try to get across about equality will be missed, that my art won’t get that across to young people. Being Indigenous, we’re a minority and I hope that I can make it a point to show how resilient we are. Our ancestors made it through so much, so much bad has happened in our history and I hope I’m showing young Indigenous people that there’s nothing they can’t do. My fear is that it won’t come across or be remembered.

15 . How would you describe your personal fashion statement?

I don’t really have one, (so maybe) comfortable and casual. If I’m doing a Zoom meeting or something, I’ll wear something that’s traditional, a pair of earrings or a necklace that one of my sisters made or clothing made by an Indigenous artist. But otherwise, I’ll never stand out. I wish I was trendy, but I’m not.

16 . What is your most treasured possession?

Old photographs of my dad and grandparents. Besides that, I don’t have any possessions that I really treasure. Just to be able to look back and remember what they look like. As time goes on, I find myself forgetting what they look like, what they sound like and it’s to be able to see the faces.

17 . What physical or personality trait are you most grateful to a parent for?

Growing up, being told you look like your mom or your dad is such an insult, but now (it’s just the opposite) … Sometimes, I’ll catch a glimpse of myself and see my mom, just looking like the strong Indigenous woman who raised me.

18 . What three people would join you for your dream dinner party?

The first would have to be Elvis. I’ve always loved his music although, he wasn’t a good actor by any means … he never should have been in a movie. The second would have to be my grandfather. He had so much adversity in his life, he lost his legs in his 50s and living on the north coast back in the 1980s, there wasn’t much wheelchair accessibility. He fought for equality for amputees, there weren’t that many on the north coast. The third would be a woman from Postville I called Aunt Kitty. She passed away not long after I had my first daughter and I’d love to sit down and speak to her and tell her where my life has gone.

19 . What is your best quality, and what is your worst quality?

I think my worst quality is I’m a procrastinator. My best quality is that I always try to make the best of every situation.

20 . What’s your biggest regret?

Not appreciating where I came from when I was younger. Where I got to grow up was amazing, the things I got to do when I was younger some people never get to do in their entire lives. I wish I knew then what I know now.