Writing
Shandra has written poetry and "rants" for years, but has turned to plays, screenplays, songs, audio art and scholarly works in recent years. 
Her poem THANKSGIVING SONG was published in the first-ever Native Women in the Arts anthology, entitled in a vast dreaming.

Shandra has contributed to
Tansi magazine, and was also a writer for Sankofa News, a multi-cultural magazine. 

Shandra has read at festivals and events, most recently including:

  * The
Gathering of Good Minds festival in London, summer 2004
  * The
LeftWords Festival of Books and Ideas, fall 2003
  * The
Bookshelf: Rene Meshake and friends, fall 2003
  * The
Eden Mills Writers' Festival, Aboriginal area, summer 2003
  * The
Aboriginal Writers' Festival at the University of Windsor, spring 2003

In 2000-2001, Shandra wrote, produced and directed several short experimental films, including
Collision, which was nominated for Best Script, Best Graphics and Best Short Film in the COST 211-212 Film Festival. 

Shandra also wrote, directed and produced an audio art piece entitled
Christianity 101, a satirical look at cultural appropriation in higher education.
Strong Women Stories, published by Sumach Press
Shandra was a contributing author to the 2003 Sumach Press book Strong Women Stories:  Native Vision and Community Survival, edited by Kim Anderson and Dr. Bonita Lawrence.  Her chapter, entitled "Strong Spirits, Fractured Identity: An Ojibway Adoptee's Journey to Wholeness" provided a first-person perspective on the cross-cultural adoption and reunion experience. Situating transracial adoption of Native children into (mostly) white families within decolonization theory, Shandra's chapter is important because it gives voice to an experience that has been written about and studied by almost everyone but the adoptees themselves. 
Shandra Spears - Ojibway actor, singer, writer & trainer
Where to find Artsy Aboriginals!
Shandra Spears - Ojibway actor, singer, writer & trainer
Where to find Artsy Aboriginals!