Lori Weidenhammer is a Vancouver performance-based interdisciplinary artist and educator. She is originally from a tiny hamlet called Cactus Lake, Saskatchewan. It is in this place, bordered by wheat fields and wild prairie, that she first became enchanted with bees. She is the author of Victory Gardens for Bees: A DIY Guide to Saving the Bees (Douglas & McIntyre). For the past several years she has been appearing as the persona Madame Beespeaker, practicing the tradition of “telling the bees”. As a food security volunteer and activist Lori works with students of all ages on eating locally and gardening for pollinators. On occasion, she likes to dress up in silly costumes and talk to bees. She is a founding member and a board member of the Native Bee Society of British Columbia.
Lori Weidenhammer is originally from Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatchewan the original lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dene, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota and the homeland of the Métis Nation, and feels gratitude to be able to now live and work in unceded territory of the Coast Salish Nations.
Instagram: @beespeaker