Abe Kakepetum
Born in Sandy Lake First Nation in the remote north-western region of Ontario, Canada. A member of the Keewaywin First Nation, he has been painting since he was a child of nine years. His work depicts images of his culture and his memories growing up. He continues to develop his art and teaches others about the beautiful Spiritual meaning and the traditional beliefs of his Aboriginal culture. Abe works closely with renowned fashion designer Linda Lundstrom to create designs for her La Parka series clothing. He is also a talented musician and has produced Gospel albums in the past and has recently produced an audio tape of original songs and music. Abe's work is acclaimed worldwide. His medium is acrylic on canvas, Arches paper and is not limited to these forms. Abe has designed originals on Beaver skulls, wooden plates, and jewellery made of antlers. He also has produced limited edition prints which all bear the seal of his company "Kakekay Fine Arts"
Alan Syliboy
Alan Syliboy Born in Sandy Lake First Nation in the remote north-western region of Ontario, Canada. A member of the Keewaywin First Nation, he has been painting since he was a child of nine years. His work depicts images of his culture and his memories growing up. He continues to develop his art and teaches others about the beautiful Spiritual meaning and the traditional beliefs of his Aboriginal culture. Abe works closely with renowned fashion designer Linda Lundstrom to create designs for her La Parka series clothing. He is also a talented musician and has produced Gospel albums in the past and has recently produced an audio tape of original songs and music. Abe's work is acclaimed worldwide. His medium is acrylic on canvas, Arches paper and is not limited to these forms. Abe has designed originals on Beaver skulls, wooden plates, and jewellery made of antlers. He also has produced limited edition prints which all bear the seal of his company "Kakekay Fine Arts"
Alex Janvier
A groundbreaking Aboriginal artist whose painting fuses native traditions with modernist abstraction. His Dene Suline heritage is fundamental to the inspiration of his paintings. Mr. Janvier has created several murals nationally, that have been viewed by millions of people. Most recognized is his 450 m² masterpiece “Morning Star” at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. We have been blessed to be able to portray the artwork of such an amazing Canadian artist. His numerous awards include an Honorary Degree Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta, 2008 Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts, 2008 Alberta Foundation for the Arts Marion Nicoll Visual Arts Award, 2007 Order of Canada Member, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. Alex is also a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts. www.alexjanvier.com
Barry LaForte
Barry LaForte – 1963 – 2007. Barry was raised in Fisher River, a Cree Indian reserve located in the Interlake region of Manitoba. His paintings were frequently derived from memories of his rural upbringing, portraying images of man and nature. Barry exhibited his work nationally.
Barry Lewis Beardy
Barry Lewis Beardy was raised in Lake St. Martin First Nation, a community located in the north Interlake region of Manitoba. Barry is enrolled at the University of Manitoba School of Fine Arts, and is pursuing a diploma of Fine Arts. His passion to paint and draw has been a natural ability and has inspired him to further his education. At a very young age, his father introduced him to horses. From that time, grew a passion and a love for these magnificent animals, which has influenced his work. Since the late 1980's Barry has competed in rodeos as a saddle bronc and bull rider. This lifelong affair of raising, training and owning many horses has brought the experience to produce realistic and imaginary portraits. With his knowledgeable background he is able to capture the reflecting surface colours, expressive reactions and emotions of his equine subjects.
Bill Helin
Bill Helin's proud native Indian heritage has played an important role in his growth as an artist. Helin is of the Tsimshian Indian Nation, born and raised in the Northwest coastal community of Prince Rupert, B.C. His Grandfather, Henry William Helin, was Chief of the Gitlan Tribe, and his Grandmother, Maud Helin, was Chieftainess of the Gitgeese Tribe. They raised a family of seven in the remote Northwest coast Indian village of Port Simpson, B.C. When his Grandmother came to live with his family, Bill spent many hours listening in wonder as she spoke of the ways of the Past and the Power of God. Through his 'Granny', Bill learned first hand the many Legends of the Tsimshian. Helin's artistic nature was evident even at a very early age. By the time he was three, he was already drawing and it wasn't long before he was amusing his family, friends and teachers with caricatures and cartoons. His skill at cartooning soon developed, through airbrushing into a more progressive 'heavy metal' style. From there, it wasn't long before he was sign painting and producing first class commercial posters. For the most part, Helin's artistry is self-taught. He learned from books, and was soon mastering techniques such as three dimensional forming, called repousse. Several jeweller friends provided him with valuable tips on gem settings and they encouraged and inspired Bill in his pursuit of excellence. In 1973, Helin moved with his family to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, where he graduated from Nanaimo Senior Secondary School, winning the prestigious Michael Gergley Arts Scholarship in 1979. Several years later, while recovering from accidental electrocution, he took up woodcarving. At about this time an artist friend, Art Sterrit, was so taken with his work that he sponsored Bill at K'San, B.C.'s famous Indian Art and Carving School in Hazelton. Since then, Bill Helin has never looked at any other vocation. At first he concentrated on silver carving of jewellery, then gold. He also enjoys the woodcarving of bowls, paddles, masks, plaques and totems. In February 1988, Helin attended the renowned Gemology Institute of America in Santa Monica, California, completing advanced courses in Goldsmithing and Gem Setting. Today he lives and works from his studio/home on Vancouver Island. You can also see Bill's work at his website http://www.billhelin.com/
Bruno Canadien
Bruno Canadien received formal training at the Alberta College of Art in Calgary, Alberta where he graduated from the four year painting program in 1993. He has participated in various exhibitions and his work can be found in international and domestic collections. Bruno is Dené, of mixed ancestry, from Zhatíé Koe, Denedeh. He now lives in southern Alberta, the traditional territory of the Blackfoot, Tsuu T’ina and Nakoda.
Chris Lynch Aquart
"Art is a window into the spiritual realm." Chris' paintings combine striking colors to tell a story of medicine people and express the hidden messages found in ancient legends. With a style developed from modern influences, many of his contemporary portraits capture the strong expressions from the windows of the soul, while his abstract works represent spiritual ceremonies. Dene Tha of the Cold Lake First Nations in Alberta, his work invokes our memories of distant times and places while his colors affect us in ways that are not always directly obvious. Media such as: oil, acrylic, graphite, airbrush, digital graphics and technical design. His original work hangs in many private collections and corporate organizations across Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
Clarence Kapay
Clarence Kapay was born on the Day Star Reserve and is a member of the Cree/Saulteaux Nation. He graduated from the Visual Arts Program at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, University of Regina. Clarence is best known for his acrylic paintings on canvas that depict Indian life from the past and present. His paintings are intimate portrayals of his people - their traditions, symbols and spirituality.
Cliff Supernault
Cliff Supernault started carving soapstone, alabaster and lava rock 16 years ago. His only instruction came from two Saturdays with professional stone carver, Brian Clarke. Born in Paddle Prairie, a Metis settlement in Northern Alberta, Cliff spent his childhood stalking birds and animals. He studied their habits, their body structures and their movements. Now he carves their bodies and emotions into soft lines, which often flow around a human face. This powerful combination of man and animal symbolizes our spiritual connection - and responsibility - to Mother Earth. Cliff’s carvings are sold around the world, from Europe to Asia. Owners include artist, Robert Bateman; singer, Buffy St. Marie; famous American teacher, Jamie Esqualante and David Suzuki plus many Canadian premiers and American governors and senators. Cliff’s work has also been presented at prestigious events such as the Esquao Awards, Circle of Honour and Human Rights Awards. Cliff also created a powerful thunderbird carving for the organizers of the 100-year Treaty Eight Signing Celebrations. Cliff and his wife Esther live on a hillside acreage near Stony Plain, Alberta. They have a son, daughter and two granddaughters.
Dale Auger
Dale Auger (1958 – 2008) Dale Auger, PhD., was a Sakaw Cree from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta. He was a highly talented visual artist whose vividly coloured and highly provocative paintings have captured the attention and imagination of many audiences across Canada and throughout the world. The subject of Auger’s paintings has varied over the years; where he once sought to portray Native history. He captured the deeper, more spiritual levels of Native life, particularly the intricate links between Native spirituality and the natural laws of the land. Dale’s first book, Mwakwa – Talks to the Loon: A Cree Story for Children, illustrated and written in English and Cree by Dale, was published by Heritage House Publishing in 2006. Dale studied Education at the University of Calgary, he graduated with a doctoral degree in 2000 at Stony Plain, Alberta.
Dawn Oman
Dawn is a Métis, born in Yellowknife of Chippewyan and Welsh Heritage. She was separated from her family in infancy and raised in foster homes. While in her teens she applied herself to her long standing interest in art and began to develop a unique personal style. Her interests ranged from drawing and painting to dyeing, spinning and weaving wools, as well as knitting one of a kind wearable art sweaters, and writing a book on knitting. During a short visit to Yellowknife in 1995, to see a former foster mother, she decided to stay on. In 1999 she opened her own Gallery and Studio where she continues to work and to share her ever widening range of products featuring her uniquely Canadian style. Her art draws inspiration from Northern Images of the Aurora Borealis, Polar Bears, Inukshuks, Ravens, and other forms of northern imagery. Dawn's style is constantly evolving and encompasses a diverse range of subject matter, while remaining true to the brilliant colour combinations and wit which has been an integral and recognizeable mainstay throughout her body of work. Her influences range from Yukon's Ted Harrison to Alfred Pellan, Picasso and Gustav Klimpt. A totally self taught artist, Dawn enjoys exploring new mediums and is currently experimenting with mosaics. Several recent paintings include elements which are clearly mosaic inspired. Her work lends itself to a wide variety of products, and more new products are in developmental stages. Five years ago, Dawn located her long lost family in a joyous reunion. The celebration of kindred love and heartfilling amazement continues to inspire Dawn as well as her delighted siblings and proud Father. You can visit her website at www.dawnoman.com
Debby Keeper
Debby Keeper was born in Calgary, Alberta. Keeper is a member of the Fisher River First Nation, a Cree community located in the Manitoba Interlake region. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts General Degree Honours from the University of Manitoba in 1996. Keeper has since pursued video as a means of expression often using her poetry, theatrical and visual arts background as inspiration. Keeper is a multidisciplinary/multimedia artist who has been active in the arts community since 1986. Her educational and artistic background includes media arts (video, audio, computer arts), visual arts (painting, printmaking, photography, drawing, collage, ceramics, graphic design), performance (theatre, voice, vocalist), and writing (poetry, essays). Her various activities in the arts are a strong influence in her approach to camera work, directing and editing. Debby’s own art-related video works have been exhibited locally, nationally and internationally in both the broadcast medium and at various festivals and events. As an independent media artist Debby Keeper is multifaceted. Since 1996 she has freelanced in numerous capacities as a camera operator, videotape editor, studio and location sound recordist, project consultant/advisor, program curator, production/editing instructor, project mentor and as a media arts presenter. Keeper has recently joined Indy Ann Productions, to create an audio and video production/post production company. She currently lives and works in Banff, Alberta.
Dianna Segalin
Dianna Segalin, a member of the Grand River Six Nations, was born in Galt, Ontario. She studied creative design and arts at Georgian College and Georgian Bay is the subject of many of her pictures. Though her art is representational, it also explores the mystical. As she explores her aboriginal roots, her art has become more symbolic of aboriginal beliefs, expressing the spirit and energy in all living things. The history of the aboriginal peoples is also expressed in her petroglyph and inuksuk paintings. “I want to show the energy that springs from all life.”
Ernie Scoles
A member of the Barren Lands Indian Band, was born at Cumberland House, Saskatchewan in 1962, and raised in northern Manitoba. It was here that he developed a deep feeling for nature and wildlife, taking advantage of every opportunity to explore the woods, lakes and streams during his childhood and school years. Largely self-taught and working in traditional Cree imagery, Ernie finds: "When I'm painting I have a great feeling of peace and harmony with nature and I feel a powerful connection between our creator and all living things. I believe my images reflect a oneness of nature and our human feelings. In my work I try to capture the spiritual interaction of life with the earth, sun wind, and sky. I always hope that at least one person will like the image I have painted." His paintings are found in collections throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia. In 1992, Ernie was awarded the Governor General's Canada 125 Medal for his contributions to his community. He makes his home in Saskatoon with his wife Doreen, and their four children, Davian, Amanda, Cassie and Kalen.
Frederick R. McDonald
I relate my story by showing the strength and character of our leaders, past and present, by exploring the symbols and icons used by artists since time immemorial and by portraying my family, showing a way of life that still exists for a few of my people." Frederick R. McDonald is a Woodland Cree artist, born in Ft. McMurray, Alberta, the oldest of six children. In his early years they lived along the Athabasca River following the traditional way of life of his ancestors. Hunting and trapping was an important part of his life until finishing high school. He then worked in the oil industry and after many years left his home to travel and to pursue an Arts degree at the University of Calgary. Frederick's work is concerned about the written and visual history of his people in Canada; he believes it is time the Aboriginal people tell their own story. Frederick's culture recognizes, honours and respects Creation and its wonders of colour. His work is a mixture of styles and expressions; this allows him greater opportunities to have a discourse within many segments of our Canadian mosaic. He uses colours and symbols to capture the experiences, the characteristics and the spirituality of his people and he paints in a style he refers to as .... "the colour of my people".
Jason Hunt
Born in Victoria, B.C. and follows in a long line of internationally recognized artists including his father Stan Hunt. He started carving in Vancouver in the summer of 1994 and started the life long process of carving. Jason now has a studio in Victoria where he continues his education in the art and has now moved into designing to complement his carvings which can be found in collections around the world. “I have been carving mostly what people consider traditional works for over ten years now. However, when I paint I do things that people would consider to be contemporary designs. I feel painting gives me quite a bit of freedom to do things I would not do with my carving. I look at art as a life-long learning process and painting is almost a whole new art to me. The designs are the same but the ways you use them and express them are different. Painting designs is something I feel can add a whole new dimension to my art.”
Jean Elizabeth Tait
Jean is of Saulteux (Ojibwe) and Scottish ancestry. She is the great granddaughter of Chief William Berens and a member of the Berens River Reservation, located on the eastern shores of Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba. Prehistory has been a passionate interest of Jean’s since childhood. A trip to a rock art site in Alberta sparked Jean’s interest in petroglyphs (pecked or carved images into rock) and pictographs (painted images on rock). Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park, located in southern Alberta, contains the largest concentration of Plains First Nations petroglyphs in North America. Since 1992, Jean has traveled to various sites all over the continent to record rock art and produce work derived from these locales. Jean’s study of rock art has continued to expand her understanding and fascination with symbols as a vehicle for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing. As well as petroglyphs and pictographs, she now uses symbols from sacred birch bark scrolls and her dreams, to make the visual language expressed in her "medicine paintings". Always interested in art, Jean has taken fundamental drawing, painting and printmaking courses and workshops throughout her career. Jean’s interest in symbols has lead to process work with creative visionary arts as a way to get in touch with the psyche. She is currently developing a series of workshops she will facilitate called Visionary Soul Journey. Jean’s studio is located in a high school in Edmonton, Alberta, where she is an artist mentor to students enrolled in the art program there.
Jean Taylor
Jean Taylor, whose Tlingit name is Khàsx’ ân Tlâ is from the Dakhl awèdi Clan of the Teslin Tlingit Nation in Teslin, Yukon Territory. Jean has been interested in art for as long as she can remember and has traveled to many places to train one on one with painters she admires. Throughout this journey she studied a variety of media and settled on acrylic and pastel as her favorites. She has always loved drawing people which aids greatly in her passion for painting people of her culture in their rich colorful regalia dancing and celebrating life. By 2005, Jean was winning awards in regional and national competitions such as the Peace Liard Regional Juried Art Show and the Peace Hills Trust National Art Competition. In 2007, she received both the People’s Choice Award and the Artist’s Choice Award at the Great Northern Arts Festival in Inuvik, N.W.T.
Jeremiah Mason
Jeremiah Mason is Oji-Cree from Kee-way-win First Nation. He comes from the Kakepetum/Mason family and is of the Wolf Clan. He currently resides in London, Ontario. Jeremiah started drawing and painting at a young age working mainly with black acrylic ink on cold press paper but has advanced his skill over the years by incorporating colour into his paintings; each colour representing earth, sky, sun and moon. He credits his uncle and other family members, who are also artists, as his inspiration. Jeremiah is intrigued by nature and animals which is evident in most of his drawings. His successes include creating logos for various native organizations in Toronto and Southwestern Ontario. He has also created murals.
Jimmy Makkik
My Name is Jimmy Makkik. I am 37 years old. I was born in a hospital in Iqaluit on May 15th, 1976. I grew up in Igoolik. I have been to some places in Canada. I have done some drawings for FJC Sisters.
Kalum Teke Dan
A local artist from Calgary who originates from the Blood Tribe in Southern Alberta. He was first inspired to create art from his grandparents, who were known internationally for their beadwork and traditional regalia. Mostly self-taught, and dealing in both oil and watercolour, Kalum has become known for his strong portraiture and his stunning wildlife depictions. An avid attendee of Pow-Wows and other traditional ceremonies, he bases his portraits on real life people; those who portray the strength and the pride of the People as a whole. As with the animals he paints, it is the spirit he manages to capture on the canvas. Traveling extensively, Kalum has also become known for his murals and is collected both nationally and internationally and has plans to travel to Europe to share the art and the culture of his people.
Kirk Brant
Born in Toronto, Canada, in 1969. He is a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Tyendinaga Territory. Kirk's education includes Graphic Design from Algonquin College, Ottawa in 1992 and Multimedia – Desktop Publishing at Toronto Image Works, Toronto, 1998.
Lindsey Anthea Payne
A self-taught artist, whose art is delightfully bright, engaging, and totally evocative of Canada’s Northern spirit. After living more than 10 years in Canada’s Northwest Territories, she has recently moved “south” to Edmonton, where she now calls “home”. Her paintings are inspired by others, depicting characters and scenery that is Lindsey’s “signature” style; winter and Northern Canadian living. Lindsey was born in the remote hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, situated in Canada’s Western Arctic Ocean. Her roots as an artist among the Inuvialuit people go deep. Her Grandfather, Jimmy Jacobson, is a world-renowned carving artist whose works are displayed in galleries and museums throughout North America. With family all over the world (Inuvik, Yellowknife, Calgary, South Africa, England, Scotland and Australia), her art reflects the stories and fond memories depicted for her by her relatives and, of course, her own experiences of Canada’s spectacular North.
Mosha Arnatsiaq
Born in Iqaluit, Nunavut on August 13th, 1976. I have lived my life in Igoolik, Nunavut. I started drawing in school and after a couple of years I started selling drawings. I have also learned to do lino cutting and etching in Iqaluit. In my home town I do my own drawings at my own time and here I am still learning art.
Neepin Auger
Neepin Auger has been painting since she was a little girl, and with guidance from her father has developed a unique style that comes from expressions within. In her paintings the eye is drawn to the emotions of heartache and happiness that extend from native life from past years. Her paintings are distinctly different from those of her father, and as Dale says, he is passing the torch to the new generation.
Nokomis
Born Ojibwa on the north shore of Lake Superior almost seventy years ago, I paint memories of a traditional culture where many people were still living by hunting, fishing and trapping. Each painting is a narrative, a brief moment in time that captures real people going about their lives. Viewers often relate in a personal way to the images. I think that's because they see themselves. It's the nature of human beings to make judgments and evaluations. When I'm on the receiving end of the evaluation process I've noticed that the other's opinions of me seldom fit my personal vision of who I am. The judgment scale usually is one that moves from poor victim of circumstance to spiritual guru and noble savage. Who I am is not that. Love, anger, fear, despair, hope and joy have been a part of my life as they have been a part of yours. Sometimes my life works and sometimes it doesn't. I am a spiritual being, but my relationship with Manitou is no more or less significant than is yours with Buddha, Allah or Christ. My message is simply that you've had your life and I've had mine. It's only been the props that have been different. You can also see more of Nokomis' work at her Website http://www.native-art-in-canada.com/
Nona Foster
I grew up in Brule, Alberta near Jasper National Park. I have lived a unique life as an outfitter’s daughter and a Park Warden’s wife. We have lived in Jasper National Park, Riding Mountain National Park, Grasslands National Park and now in Stavely, Alberta. Keith and I have two daughters. I create from the heart and I am self-taught with no formal education. My art subjects are varied because of the different places I’ve lived and known, the people I’ve met, and the inspiration and passion I have for them. My art is distributed world wide, as I show at some of the largest art shows in Western Canada. Since 1991 I have been working on a series of limited edition prints. I portray a variety of subjects, Western, Native, and Wildlife keeping in mind the preservation of our wildlife, National Parks and the beautiful untouched back country. I recognize my Aboriginal Ancestry (Cree and Cherokee) that gives me vision and inspiration to create and become part of my art.
Riel Benn
When he looks to the sky, Riel Benn is scanning either smoke signals from the past or the pollution of modern civilization for his inspiration to paint; a passion developed at an early age that has become his career, his passion and his life, creating works that reflect society, spirituality, tradition, reality and the surreal; expressions that range from fantasy to historic figures representative of his culture, the Sioux Nation. Winner of Canada's National YTV Visual Award in 1999 and Manitoba's Youth Achievement Award for Visual art in 2001 at the age of 21, Riel is currently touring western Canada. He and his work have been featured in the Saturday Night Magazine, Your Source and the Vancouver Sun and on television's "The Seventh Generation" , "The Sharing Circle" and several news programs, as his work, at his young age, continues to receive both national and international acclaim. Riel has had many solo exhibits in his home province, Manitoba, has been invited to the Red Earth Festival in Oklahoma City, and has shown his work in Santa Fe,Toronto and in a number of Canadian and American Universities. Purchases of his works have been for private and corporate collections throughout Canada, Europe, the USA and Australia and as Riel continues to work from his studio near Birtle, Manitoba. His work now hangs in many prestigious worldwide collections. You can e-mail him at asselt_d@mb.sympatico.ca become part of my art.
Veran Pardeahtan
Raised in the Chirichua Mountains (Southeastern Arizona) Veran’s Apache heritage has significantly influenced his values and his work. After five years in the Canadian Armed Forces (Special Service Force) he pursued formal artistic training and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education (1993) and Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art (1996) from Concordia University in Montreal. While at Concordia Veran received numerous awards for his art and academic achievements. Veran’s professional artistic activities have spanned two decades and include sculpture, painting, and pottery. His work has been displayed in over 50 local, national and international exhibitions and is included in numerous private collections. Significant in Veran’s art is his use of the four colors of the four peoples of the earth and his desire to encourage harmony and dialogue between them. “Inspiration is drawn from divergent elements in the environment. My art, through painting and pottery, gives a voice to the various aspects of nature.” You can visit his website at www.redandwhitestudios.com
