Manuel Axel Strain is of the xwməθkwəyə̓ m, Simpcw, and Syilx peoples. Although they attended Emily Carr University of Art + Design, they prioritize Indigenous epistemologies through the embodied knowledge of their relatives and ancestors. They have contributed work to the Vancouver Art Gallery, Surrey Art Gallery, and the University of British Columbia Okanagan FINA Gallery. They were longlisted for the 2022 and 2026 Sobey Award, and were a recipient of the 2022 Portfolio Prize.