Gracie Randle

Writer / TELLER of Shetland History and Legends

Gracie is a native Shetlander and can trace her Shetland ancestry back at least five generations through each of her four grandparents. She is proud of her heritage, and since starting on this project has developed even more of an interest in the oral and written history and legends. Her and her husband are lucky to own a lot of old Shetland books, and she finds it fascinating to read things written from the perspective of people who were living and working in the mid-19th century.

Describing herself as having a bit of a butterfly brain, Gracie has often hopped between interests, and in 1998 launched a board game which celebrated Shetland’s local Up Helly Aa fire festivals. She saw this as a bit of fun, and although she says fame and fortune eluded her, she did manage to cover her costs.

Gracie has always had an interest in creative writing and has had a few pieces published in local magazines and anthologies which were produced by writers’ groups. In 1986 she won a runner up prize in a competition run by the national magazine Woman’s Own. However, due to family commitments and work pressures she stopped writing for a few years but is now retired and beginning to rediscover her creative flair.

Louise Profeit-LeBlanc

Storyteller / co-Writer of "Hats in the attic"

Hello! My name is Louise Profeit-LeBlanc. My traditional name is Ts’e Itzoh. I am from the Nacho Nyak Dän First Nation, which is established in the village of Mayo, in northeastern Yukon.

In 2002, I made a life decision to expand my horizons and work as the Indigenous Arts Coordinator for the Canada Council for the Arts. My primary responsibility was to expand and improve access to granting programs for Indigenous Artists and to increase cultural awareness, paying particular attention to the needs of northern and isolated Indigenous artists.

I retired in 2013 and since that time have pursued my own artistic career as a Traditional Storyteller/keeper, writer, guest speaker, textile artist, poet and mentor for the younger generation, all of which continues to bring me great joy. I have travelled extensively to many places in the world as a storyteller/storykeeper and cultural ambassador. I believe in the unity of all people and strive to honour this belief, by sharing traditional Indigenous knowledge that can brings us all together as one, on this planet.

Mussi Cho!