James Graham
Biography
Writer, Filmmaker, and Visionary Storyteller
Andrea Grant is a Canadian-born writer and multimedia artist of mixed-blood Coast Salish ancestry whose work bridges ancestral mythology with contemporary art. Known for her powerful fusion of storytelling, poetry, photography, film, and performance, Grant’s creative universe transforms Indigenous oral traditions into vivid, cinematic experiences that transcend genre and time.
For the Coast Salish peoples of the Pacific Northwest, stories are more than entertainment—they are truth. Grant’s latest book, MODERN NATIVES: AN ILLUSTRATED COLLECTION OF REIMAGINED COAST SALISH MYTHS (Eaglespeaker Publishing, 2025), brings ancestral stories roaring into the modern world. Merging traditional teachings, memory, and cinematic prose, she explores what happens when ancestral spirits walk the streets of New York City, when trickster gods order whiskey in Tacoma, or when wolves appear beneath the streetlights of Manhattan. This luminous, genre-defying collection honors the Coast Salish oral tradition while daring to ask: What if the spirits never left?
Grant first emerged on the Vancouver arts scene as founder and editor of COPIOUS, a publication that celebrated avant-garde art and spoken word performance. Her early career evolved into digital editorial work in New York City at Condé Nast, where she honed her storytelling voice for a global audience. In 2009, she published THE PIN-UP POET, a visually striking collection that paired noir-inspired photography with haunting poetry, examining female identity through the lens of archetype and transformation.
Her passion for visual narrative led to the creation of MINX, a graphic novel series centered on a Native warrior woman who traverses the parallel dimensions of Dreamtime and waking life—guided by a pack of white spirit wolves. This mythic heroine became a symbol of resilience and self-discovery in Grant’s breakout graphic novel, ANDREA GRANT’S MINX: DREAM WAR (2011), which fused Indigenous mythology with pop-culture surrealism.
Expanding her storytelling into film, Grant directed and performed in MODERN NATIVE (2020), a spoken word short exploring empowerment through ancestral knowledge. Her second film, NIGHT SWIMMING (2024), uses the element of water as an allegory for feminine emotion, healing, and transformation. The film has received international acclaim—earning recognition from festivals in Prague, Seattle, San Francisco, Tokyo, Berlin, and beyond—winning multiple awards including Best Short Film on Women and Best Music Video.
Her most recent work, THE BONES OF OUR NEVER-CESTORS (2025), confronts the intergenerational trauma of the residential school system through the haunting framework of a reimagined Hansel and Gretel fairytale—a juxtaposition of horror, myth, and reclamation.
Currently, Grant is developing her forthcoming poetry collection, NO RETURN: TOO NARROW FOR MY SHOULDER BLADES, an exploration of mythological female archetypes from a Coast Salish woman’s perspective. The work examines cycles of entrapment, transformation, and homecoming—reclaiming stories of goddesses, priestesses, and warriors as mirrors for contemporary womanhood and the matriarchal spirit of survival.
Grant studied Creative Writing at Kwantlen University College and has received multiple Aboriginal Storyteller Grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, as well as support from the B.C. Arts Council and the First Peoples’ Cultural Council. Through every medium she touches—page, stage, screen—Andrea Grant continues to redefine Indigenous storytelling for a global audience, reminding us that the mythic world is not lost; it lives within us.
Andrea Grant—Curriculum Vitae 2026
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Education + Awards
2025—Launched a book entitled MODERN NATIVES : AN ILLUSTRATED COLLECTION OF COAST SALISH MYTHS in association with Eaglespeaker Publishing (Available on Amazon). In Coast Salish culture, storytellers are knowledge-keepers. Each may share their own version of these ancient tales, shaped by place, experience, and memory. This book honors that tradition, inviting readers to step into a world where animals speak, ancestors walk among us, and the unseen is just as real as the seen.
2025—Awarded a First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) Grant to create THE BONES OF OUR NEVER-CESTORS, a Spoken Word Film that honors the memory of Native children who died in Residential Schools—children who became “Never-Cestors” because they never had the chance to grow up, marry, or have families. The poem reflects on this devastating history of government-backed assimilation policies that sought to erase Indigenous cultures and languages, then transforms into a cinematic reimagining of the Hansel and Gretel fairytale. In this version, two siblings’ journey through forests, lakes, and seaside cottages in search of belonging and self-determination. Narrated in spoken word form, the piece intertwines their symbolic quest with meditations on intergenerational trauma, survival, and cultural resilience—ultimately celebrating the enduring power of Native storytelling and art as acts of remembrance, healing, and continuity.
2024—Won five prestigious Awards of Merit and Recognition from The Best Shorts Film Competition for NIGHT SWIMMING.
- Award of Recognition: On-Camera Talent (Andrea Grant)
- Award of Merit: Music Video
- Award of Recognition: Native Peoples
- Award of Merit: Experimental
- Award of Recognition: Women Filmmakers
2024—NIGHT SWIMMING was a Finalist at the Prague International Music Video Awards, received a Special Mention from the U.K. Animation and Music Video Festival, and won Semi-Finalist Awards at the New York International Women Festival, Seattle Filmmaker Awards, San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival, and Tokyo Shorts in the categories of Best Short Film on Women and Best Music Video. The film was shown at the Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival, L.A. Sun Film Fest, Chicago Indie Film Awards, and Kalakari Film Awards. It also won for Best Make-Up at San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival.
2023—Awarded a First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) Grant to create NIGHT SWIMMING, a Spoken Word Film about feeling an intense connection to the power of the ocean, the rain, and storms, and an appreciation of how Mother Earth bestows her gifts when we need them most. It’s about how we heal as women; how swimming in the ocean can be cleansing, or how a thunderstorm feels incredibly satisfying when one is going through a romantic break-up. It’s also about the joy of dancing in the rain, listening to one’s intuition, and honoring the voices of the ancestor guardians that speak to us.
2023—Awarded a Canada Council Aboriginal Storyteller Arts Grant to produce an additional episode for an animated series based on the MINX graphic novels.
2022—Won eight prestigious Awards of Merit and Recognition from The Best Shorts Film Competition for MODERN NATIVE, a Spoken Word film in which Grant poetically describes her unique upbringing learning both traditional Native myths and western fairytales equally.
- Award of Merit: Lead Actress (Andrea Grant as herself)
- Award of Recognition: Direction
- Award of Recognition: Original Score (Vocals by Andrea Grant, Music composed by James Goudreault)
- Award of Recognition: Narration / Voiceover Talent (Andrea Grant)
- Award of Merit: Native American / Aboriginal Peoples
- Award of Merit: Script / Writer (Andrea Grant)
- Award of Recognition: Women Filmmakers
- Award of Merit: Music Video
2021—Awarded a Canada Council Aboriginal Storyteller Arts Grant to produce an animated short film, entitled Andrea Grant’s MINX: RUN ME WITH THE WOLVES, Part 1 of an Episodic series based on the MINX Comic Books, slated for release in October 2022.
2020 to 2021—Andrea Grant’s Spoken Word Short Film, MODERN NATIVE, was nominated for Best Music Video by the 45th Annual American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival and premiered as an Official Selection at the Annual American Indian Film Festival, L.A. Skins Fest, Dam Short Film Festival, Venice Shorts Film Awards, Chicago Indie Film Festival, the Berlin Movie Awards, L.A. Sun Film Fest, Santa Monica Shorts, Austin Film Festival, Amsterdam Short Film Festival, Toronto International Women Film Festival, Toronto Indie Shorts, San Francisco Indie Short Festival, New York International Women Festival, Cannes Cinema Festival, and the Vancouver Independent Film Festival.
2020 to 2021—MODERN NATIVE won Best Experimental Short at Arthouse Festival of Beverly Hills and the L.A. Independent Film Channel. The Spoken Word film was a Finalist at Austin Film Festival, San Francisco Indie Short Festival, New York International Women Festival, and Vancouver Independent Film Festival. The film was screened at the prestigious Never Apart Gallery in Montreal, Canada in Summer 2021.
2019—Awarded a British Columbia Arts Council (BCAC) Storyteller Arts Grant to write a collection of poetry centered around the mythology of women’s stories, entitled NO RETURN: TOO NARROW FOR MY SHOULDER BLADES. Renowned Canadian Poet, Marion Quednau, has acted as a creative mentor on the project. Release date of poetry collection TBD.
2019—Awarded a First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) Grant to create MODERN NATIVE, a Spoken Word Film exploring one’s connection to tribe in the digital age, and an exploration of Andrea Grant’s experience as a woman of mixed-blood Coast Salish ancestry.
2018—Awarded a Canada Council Aboriginal Storyteller Arts Grant to write a collection of reimagined Coast Salish myths, entitled KILLER WHALE-WOLF & THE ISLE OF WOMEN, illustrated by renowned Tacoma-based Salish artist Qwalsius-Shaun Peterson.
2016—Awarded a Canada Council Aboriginal Storyteller Arts Grant to write a memoir called BLEACH, from Andrea Grant’s perspective as a young woman raised in the dystopian Jehovah’s Witness faith who experienced cultural confusion, identity crisis, and then a reawakening and exploration of her powerful First Nations heritage. Release date of book TBD.
2011—Awarded a Canada Council Aboriginal Storyteller Arts Grant to produce a full- length graphic novel titled Andrea Grant’s Minx: THE DREAM WARRIORS (2012 release).
2010—Awarded a Canada Council Arts Grant Aboriginal Storyteller Arts Grant to produce a full-length graphic novel for Andrea Grant’s Minx: DREAM WAR (2011 release).
2009—Won G4 TV’s ‘Women of the Web’ award in the category of “Women with Mad Skills” for comic book writing.
2001—Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Creative Writing + English Literature.
Poems, Stories, Publications + Career Highlights
2024—Modern Natives: A Collection of Reimagined Coast Salish Myths Limited Edition Collector‘s Preview by Andrea Grant, illustrated by Qwalsius-Shaun Peterson.
2021—Andrea Grant’s Minx: DREAM WAR – Launched the 2nd Edition of the Graphic Novel.
2021—The Pin-Up Poet – Launched the 2nd Edition of Andrea Grant’s Poetry / Photo Book, available in both print and digital formats.
2016 to 2022—Created Copious Consulting, a boutique Social Media Marketing Agency (www.Copious-Consulting.com).
2013 to 2015—Writer for several “Graphic Classics” books (www.graphicclassics.com). Stories include The Hunter & Medicine Legend (featured in the Native American Classics anthology), Morella (an interpretation of an Edgar Allen Poe story), and The Flowering of the Strange Orchid (based on a story by H.G. Wells).
2012— Andrea Grant’s MINX: THE DREAM WARRIORS (Limited Edition Comic Book Series).
2012—Adaptation and syndication of the Andrea Grant’s MINX: DREAM WAR series in Indian Country Today magazine (published in both print and digital formats www.indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com).
2011— Andrea Grant’s MINX: DREAM WAR full-length graphic novel, released both in print and digital formats. The MINX series merges traditional Coast Salish Native American mythology with clever contemporary fantasy. MINX has had an ever-growing, loyal fan base since the early iterations of the MINX comic series, circa 2006.
1995 to 2021—Poems and Essays published in literary journals such as: Beneath the Surface, Amethyst Review, The Adirondack Review, Afterthoughts, Copious, DETAILS magazine, Hecale, Macenstein.com, Slightly West, Newsletter Inago, South Ash Press, Unlikely Stories, Circle Magazine, Poetry in Motion, Slacker Bonding, Illya’s Honey, In Your Face!, Arachnia, and Poetry Motel in addition to various online journals and social media platforms.
2010 to 2013—Writer & Digital Editor for DETAILS Magazine (Condé Nast Publications).
2010 to 2012—Writer & Producer for Copious Productions custom comics, in association with the Thrillist media group (www.copiousproductions.com).
2010—Ready to Where? A Fashion-themed web comic series written and produced by Andrea Grant and published by The Fashion Spot in accordance with New York Fashion Week.
2011—Editor of Amore Bermuda, a cookbook by Italian-Bermudian celebrity chef Livio Fergio (published by Inside Edge Communications).
2008 to 2010—Editor-in-Chief of The Fashion Spot (www.thefashionspot.com).
2009—The Pin-Up Poet, a full-length art book featuring poetry and accompanying photos of Andrea Grant portraying feminine archetypes.
2008 to 2009—Andrea Grant’s MINX: Coma Sleepers Hear It All comic book series, syndicated in Bombin’ magazine and featured in Comic Arts Guild #5.
2008—Freelance Writer for Bermuda News Network.
2007—Writer and Producer of an animated MINX short film for Media Edge/MEC Global and Y&R agencies to promote a pharmaceutical product.
2001 to 2009—Copious Magazine: Editor & Publisher (www.copiousmagazine.com).
2004 to 2005—Profile Magazine “New York City Dating Diary” columnist.
2004 to 2020—Cross-promotional creative projects including collaborations with internationally renowned fashion and art photographers such as Simon Thorpe, Pepsi Kim, Shannon Brooke, Viva Van Story, Chas Ray Krider, Ken Thurlbeck, Circe Hamilton, James Graham, Justin Hyte, Nicholas Routzen, Darryl Humphrey, Gordan Dumka, Vlad Voloshin, Gigi Stoll, Circe Hamilton, Gary Breckheimer, Joseph Marranca, Julie Watts, Jerry Ruotolo, Rames Xelhuantzi, Scott Sapp, Stefani Adeline, and Charlene Ellen Johnny, among others.
Spoken Word Recordings, Speaking Engagements + Performances
2025—Recorded the Spoken Word poem THE BONES OF OUR NEVER-CESTORS for the film of the same title.
2023—Recorded the Spoken Word poem NIGHT SWIMMING for the film of the same title.
2022—Recorded a Spoken Word poem called RUN ME WITH THE WOLVES for a MINX animated preview.
2021 to 2022—Acted as a First Nations Cultural Advisor & Poet, providing Spoken Word and Choreographic Ideation for The Impossible Has Already Happened, an international Dance Production co-choreographed by Jennifer Mascall (Canada) and Claire 0’Neil (New Zealand), co-produced by Mascall Dance and Footnote New Zealand Dance).
2021—MODERN NATIVE Spoken Word Short Film screened in Summer 2021 at Never Apart Gallery, a non-profit organization in Montréal, Québec, Canada determined to bring about social change and spiritual awareness through art, culture, and music events (www.NeverApart.com).
2019 to 2020—Spoken Word recording of the poem, MODERN NATIVE and the creation of a corresponding short film funded by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC). Film locations included Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Penelakut Island, Tacoma, New York City, and Los Angeles, with various talented filmmakers and Native actors collaborating.
2019—Spoken Word Film premiere for Andrea Grant’s poem, VANILLA VODKA, at the Forty For 40 | SALON DE RÊVES Arts Charity Event held at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver, B.C.
2019—Spoken Word recordings of stories from Killer Whale-Wolf & the Isle of Women to coincide with 2020 book launch.
2016—Spoken Word features in the songs “Speakeasy Love” and “Pin-Up Girl” as part of an all-female ensemble led by L.A.’s “Retro Raptress,” Deborah Jane Burke and Canadian singer/songwriter Apryll Aileen Stansfield. Collaborations included several live performances and an appearance by Andrea Grant in a music video produced by Deborah Jane Burke.
2015—Spoken Word Performance as part of “The Mixed Media Method” project in NYC.
2013—Lead role as Actress in How to Be Alone: How to Make an Art Video (how-to-be-alone.com), directed by Donari Braxton.
2013—Lead role as Actress in a surrealist art video by musician Evan Ønly.
2012—Exhibited the Andrea Grant’s MINX: DREAM WAR comic book series at the Pequot Museum in Connecticut (www.pequotmuseum.org) and spoke about how modern Native people are preserving traditional tribal stories in a new, multimedia context.
2012—Recorded Modern Native, a Spoken Word track produced by Dan “Vago” Orellana.
2012—Participated in W2’s InDigital Animate and Career Path lab, speaking to Indigenous youth in Vancouver, Canada.
2004 to 2014—International comic book convention autograph signings and promotion of the Minx comic books and brand (U.S. and Canada) including launch parties in NYC.
2003—Want Some Scratch? A 23-track Spoken Word CD produced by Dan “Vago” Orellana and The Stylist, also distributed digitally. Sales are steady into 2022, mostly due to Spotify streaming.
2000 to 2016—Performed several poetry readings in the U.S. and Canada. Highlights include several events at the world-class Le Poisson Rouge in New York City (2009-2015), headlining a 2004 Halloween event at the Nuyorican Poet’s Café, opening for bands, the “Louder Arts” poetry slam at Bar 13 in New York (2003), “B.C. Day Festival,” at the Plaza of Nations in Vancouver (2003), and “The Flying V Tour” with Canadian recording artists, Swollen Members (2001).
Press Coverage + Documentary Features
2025-2026—Interviews with OK! Magazine, ICT News, Windspeaker, CB Herald, Voyage LA, Times Colonist, The Penticton Herald, and more to promote MODERN NATIVES: An Illustrated Collection of Reimagined Myths.
2023-2024—Interviews with Medium, Authority Magazine, 360 Magazine, Voyage LA, No Film School, Creative Chats, Web Times, Personal View, Rough Draft, and a National News TV feature by Tina House on the Aboriginal People’s Network (APTN) to promote NIGHT SWIMMING.
2021—Interview with Never Apart (www.neverapart.com/features/andrea-grant-interview).
2019—National News TV feature on the Aboriginal People’s Network (APTN) to promote MINX and MODERN NATIVE. Interview by Tina House.
2014—Interview feature with Andrea Grant about her poetry and multimedia art for Popreel, a TV series about popular culture, produced by the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company.
2012—Feature in Cosmopolitan Korea to promote Andrea Grant’s MINX: DREAM WAR.
2009 to 2012—Features and interviews for comic book industry publications and traditional media and websites, including Newsarama.com, ComicAttack.net, JazmaOnline.com, ComicRelated.com, AlterNative Media, Comic Foundry, ComicReaders.com, Examiner.com, ComicsWorthReading.com, BUST magazine, New York Post, NY Times Style, and the Village Voice.
2009—TORO Magazine feature article, entitled “Andrea Grant: The Heroine.”
2009—Appeared in Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine in a feature about New York writers and editors.
2008—Page Six, New York Times, mentioned in an article about being a creative in NYC.
2008—Lead role in a TV commercial for Johnny Walker, as a woman personifying the BLUE label brand of the famous scotch.
2007—Documentary piece by Sarah Keenlyside (Inkblot Media) entitled Andrea Grant’s MINX: The Dream War Project, filmed at NY Comic Con.
2007—Interviewer / Host of On the Spot, a series produced by The Fashion Spot for NY Fashion Week which included street style interviews, live fashion show coverage, and interviews with top designers such as Isaac Mizrahi.
2006—Documentary segment on Art or Something Like It, produced by Brian Bernhard in NYC, in a feature on Spoken Word projects.
2006—Top story coverage in the New York Post detailing a trademark battle between Andrea Grant & DC Comics over MINX (amicably resolved).
2005—Documentary segment on CBC’s Zed TV show, produced by Greg Liburd with a focus on Pin-Up Poetry + Art projects.
2005—Camel Cigarettes International campaign, appearing as a film noir model in numerous print advertisements, including the Village Voice and Cosmopolitan, among others. It’s now become a famous T-Shirt:
2003—Documentary segment on CTV’s First Story produced by Pieter Romer, focused on the MINX graphic novel series and Andrea Grant’s Coast Salish Native tribal origins.