Artspeak Radio + Michelle Rice-Gauvreau, Art Fare, Chad Brothers, & Sean Whalen

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, October 18, 2023, noon – 1pm CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

A great big THANK YOU to all who contributed to KKFI Pledge Drive!! We’re so very grateful to the following individuals for their continued support:

Shawn Stewart, Beth Byrd Lonski, Toni Vasquez Rouen, Sue Moreno, Paul Eade, Bill Pryor, Rudy Waldner, and Terri Steenson

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes writer Michelle Rice-Gauvreau, artist Sean Whalen, Marten & Katrin Hauser, Wolfe Brack, & Robb Gann, and musician/KKFI chief engineer Chad Brothers.

MICHELLE RICE-GAUVREAU- Powerful New Memoir By Mohawk Woman “Pulls Back Curtain On Unsettling Chapter of Indigenous History

“Who Am I?” is a powerful memoir by Michelle Rice-Gauvreau that pulls back the curtain on an unsettling chapter of indigenous history. Published just weeks ago, it came out strong, hitting #1 in the 10 New Releases on Amazon in Native American Biographies, before taking #s 5 and #9 – then shooting back up to #2.
It’s a very personal story – and so much more. Born in a Mohawk Reservation in Canada, Michelle was illicitly adopted and raised in an abusive home in the United States. Amidst the harsh backdrop of the 1960s and 70s, when mental illness was a forbidden topic and safeguarding measures were scarce, Michelle’s story illuminates a path of self-discovery and resilience.
It took Michelle over four years to write her memoir.
“Who Am I?” is a raw look at my adoption as a Native American child and my life surrounding my adoption. Reliving some of the events in my book was not easy but I know my story had to be told. I have a mission and purpose to help other adoptees who are struggling with their own adoption circumstances.”
Michelle’s life is a testament to the enduring spirit of her Mohawk bloodline as she navigates the trials of coping, understanding, and forging a life path without the foundations of familial love and belonging. This memoir is not only a personal narrative but a spotlight on an issue plaguing indigenous communities worldwide, and particularly North America.
“Who Am I?” is an extraordinary tale of tenacity, humor, and the relentless search for identity, family, and happiness. ”
About The Author :
A compelling speaker who makes for a fascinating media segment or interview, Michelle Rice-Gauvreau is a compassionate advocate for all adoptees looking for their own truth, peace and hope. A native Mohawk woman born in Canada, she was raised in Connecticut via an illegal adoption, which was commonplace for many native babies throughout many years across North America. Michelle now works as a legal professional for a prestigious law firm. She resides in Connecticut with her husband of many years, and her two senior cats. She enjoys traveling and learning more about native cultures far and wide.
Through her book, speaking engagements, and conversations with the media, she hopes to instill her strength to any adoptee struggling to find their way. When asked for her reaction on how this very personal story has been received, Michelle says with surprise. “When my book was published in July, 2023, I never expected this much attention. I’m now proud to have put my life out there. This has inspired me to write two more books in the near future, one about coping and healing, and a children’s book. I’m hoping that with these projects I can help so many.”
It’s clear from the reaction to Who Am I? that she already has.
Buy The Book : (Also available to purchase in bulk at a discounted rate.) http://www.michellegauvreau.com/store/p2/Autographed_Memoir%3A__Who_Am_I%3F.html
More information at : http://www.michellegauvreau.com
Follow her on socials :
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladystarre & https://www.facebook.com/adopteesmatter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladystarre/
Linked In : https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-g-0263a7225/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ladystarre/

SEAN WHALEN is a clay artist focused on building natural and sustainable architecture using clay, wood, and other onsite materials. His work is rooted in community practices, pulling from long-standing traditions of community-led building, repair, and caretaking. Through use of clay, Sean invites communities to consider the impact of building with their own hands, removing the alienation between them and many of the structures they occupy. Sean is a BFA candidate at the Kansas City Art Institute, with a focus in Ceramics and Social Practice.

Sean recently led the construction of an outdoor cob kitchen at Manheim Gardens. Community members participated in four day-long workshops, learning natural clay building techniques to create a pizza oven and lorena-stove for the garden space. The oven and stove will be fired up for the first time on October 28th, from 10am-2pm for Manheim Gardens’ Harvest Festival, their annual Fall community potluck. Come out to celebrate the hard work of the community, eat delicious food, dance, and experience all what community led spaces have to offer!

Sean Whalen’s Contact:
Facebook/Instagram: @whalenpottery
Email: [email protected]
(instagram and email best way to reach me)
Manheim Gardens’ Contact:
Facebook/Instagram: @manheimgardens
https://manheimgardens.org/
4225 Forest Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri www.manheimgardens.org

Open 7 days a week from dawn until dusk except for events and with prior approval

MARTIN & KATRIN HEUSER, WOLFE BRACK, & ROBB GANN- Art FareRestaurant A Collaboration of Artists + Chefs to Benefit the Kansas City Art Institute 6:30- 9:30 pm
Thursday, October 19th, 2023 at the 1900 Building
1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Mission Woods, KS 6620 Honorary Chairs: Judy & Don Culp and Linda & Topper Johntz
www.vanderslicecommittee.org/art-fare-2023
Honorary Chefs Chair: Linda Duerr
Co-Chairs: Bunni Glasberg and Robert Gann

CHAD BROTHERS Supermassive Black Holes, the genre-defying band known for their mesmerizing live performances, are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their studio album, “Stop Safely Now.”  With a release date set for Friday, October 27, 2023, the album delivers a sonic journey that bends through space and time, exploring themes inspired by their cosmic namesake.  Although the band has existed since 2010, this is their first ever full-length studio album, and their first studio release in over 11 years.

Upcoming Album Release Shows:
Mike Kelly’s Westsider –  Thursday October 26 at 7pm
Lucia in Lawrence, KS –  Friday November 10 at 7pm

Websites:
www.smbhkc.com
www.facebook.com/thesupermassiveblackholes
www.instagram.com/smbhband

Share This Episode