Born in Eastmain, Quebec, in 1952, Shirley Cheechoo is a member of the Cree Tribe. Her early childhood was spent in Moose Factory, later the family moved to Hearst, Ontario. She is married to artist Blake Debassige and they have one child, Nanoshkasheese. Memories of growing up within a warm family group have become the focal point for her expression through the medium of acrylic. Her paintings represent the personal documentation of the many experiences she shared with her large family in the north as well as those of other Cree families lived by trapping and fishing. She provided the illustrations for Basil H. Johnston's book "Tales the Elders Told"

Shirley Cheechoo is an award winning actress, writer, producer, director, and visual artist. She first gained national attention in the theater in 1992 with her play, "Path With No Moccasins". Her film directorial debut is the acclaimed short film, Silent Tears, which has won several film festival awards for Best Short Film. It was screened at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival and was awarded the Telefilm Canada/Television Northern Canada Award for Best Canadian Aboriginal Language Television Program. As one of a select group of promising filmmakers, Shirley was invited to attend the prestigious Sundance Institute lead by Robert Redford, where she workshopped and filmed scenes of Backroads with accomplished creative advisors including Robert Redford. Shirley is the first, First Nation woman to write, produce, direct, and act in a feature length film from Canada. Shirley has also appeared on several Canadian film and television series and programs, including The Rez.

 

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