CINDY KELLEY SUNSHINE, born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, is the oldest of four siblings. Growing up, she learned responsibility early on helping to raise her younger siblings, cooking, and managing household tasks while her parents worked full-time. Though her family wasn’t wealthy, her parents always ensured the necessities were met, instilling in Cindy a strong sense of resilience and the value of working hard with what you have.

Later in life, Cindy faced the challenge of shifting her career path toward entrepreneurship and creative work. Starting fresh brought feelings of self-doubt, particularly when stepping into digital spaces that often seem geared toward younger generations. Learning completely new tools felt daunting, but Cindy chose to face those fears head-on.

Her journey with the Indigenous Friends Association began when a fellow artist encouraged her to apply to the IndigiTAL program. Cindy saw it as an opportunity to strengthen her skills, explore new mediums, and push herself into the digital world.

Through IndigiTAL, Cindy learned to use platforms like Krita and Google Sites, tools that opened up new ways to bring her artwork online. One of her standout projects was designing a draft website to showcase her art, a milestone that shifted her perspective: she began to see herself not only as an artist, but also as an entrepreneur.

What stood out most to Cindy was the safe, supportive environment of the program. Sharing her work without fear of judgment gave her the courage to step outside her comfort zone, grow her confidence, and embrace digital art as a medium where she could thrive.

Looking ahead, Cindy plans to continue building her digital drawing skills and developing her portfolio. She envisions launching a professional website to share her work and eventually offering web design services for other small businesses, particularly First Nations entrepreneurs. Recognizing the barriers many face in accessing affordable professional websites, Cindy wants to use her new skills to help others bring their visions to life.

Cindy’s advice to future participants: “Stay engaged and don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem simple. Sometimes we hesitate out of shyness or fear that our question isn’t important, but asking helps clarify things and makes the learning stick.”