#1 Courage
Artist: Loretta Gould
Loretta is a self-taught Mi’kmaq artist and her art is spiritual in nature and shows through her use of bright colours on canvas. Loretta was raised on Waycobah First Nation and resides in Cape Breton. She is working on a book of stories that go with her paintings, as well as two children’s books to learn our native tongue.
#2 The Journey Home
Artist: Pauline Young
Pauline is a visual artist who was first exposed to the creative world through her father Phillip Young, a visual artist. She draws her inspiration from him and the natural environment. She finds Mi’kmaq historical images are very limited in the Miramichi area and the need to research and explore can produce and bring out the true magic of her Mi’kmaq heritage. For my son, Seth. Rest in Peace. My son drowned off the coast of Nova Scotia in a fishing boat accident. This painting was to help him find his way home. Along with the Water Spirits, they are helping him find his way home to the Spirit World.
#3 Red Spirit Bear
Artist: Tracy Metallic
A Mi’gmaq artist born and raised on the shores of the Restigouche River and resides in her home community of Listuguj, Tracey’s career in painting was launched painting cartoon characters for her grandchildren. When her brush touched the canvas, a bright spark was lit. She connected immediately and has been creating ever since. Tracey’s artwork reflects much of her own journey in life.
#4A: Tan mej Tel-keknuoltiek
Artist: Aaron Googoo
Traditionally trained as an interdisciplinary Designer & Illustrator, Aaron’s passion is for the creative and artistic approaches that breathe life into and support each aspect of his projects. He utilizes narratives and stories to deliver visually rich, meaningful content. Illustration and crafting logos is one of his favourite things and the beating heart behind many of his branding identities. Utilizing traditional and modern Mi’kmaw colours coupled with re-creations of historical petroglyphs found at Kejimkujik Park and McGowan Lake, Nova Scotia.
#4B: Putup and Mount Caubvick
Artist: Aaron Googoo
In Mi’kmaq folklore, Putup (Boo-dup) is the spirit animal that helps Glooscap travel across the oceans during the rule of Winter. Together they search to bring home the warmth of the Summer.
#5 Truth or Reconciliation: A Slippery Slope: The Shaman
Artist: Teresa Young
A detail of the shaman from a triptych. The shaman gazes outwards as he calls the spirits of the missing Indigenous women home. Teresa Young is a Metis artist who was born on the west coast of Canada who fell in love with Nova Scotia earlier in her life and moved there in 2010 as her life’s dream of a perfect place to live. Teresa’s handling of colours is quite unusual in their combinations and evokes a dynamic sense of movement, or even a watery wave-like feeling with abstracted patterns.
#6 The Minke
Artist: Bronson Jacque
Bronson Jacque is Nunatsiavut Labradorian Inuit artist and a proud son of Labrador who hails from Postville on the North Coast. He has been giving expression through his art for more than 12 years and is self-taught.
#7 DJ Kookum
Artist: Nelson White
DJ Kookum is a strong, beautiful Indigenous woman. She’s a highly respected DJ and this painting shows that the world is hers. She’s looking at you as if to say, Yeah! Let’s go! Nelson White is an artist and a member of the Flat Bay First Nation Band (No’kmaq Village) in Newfoundland. He documents the changing culture landscape of his people. “There is no real history of indigenous portraiture, apart from settler representations of “the noble savages”. My attempt is to step in and show people who exist in the 21st century. I want to display natives in a position of beauty and power. I am storyteller, telling stories of my time.”
#1 Grizzly in Red
Artist: Sherry Leigh Williams
Sherry is a multi-faceted Métis artist, writer, and vocalist based in Saltspring Island B.C. A self-taught, award-winning artist, Sherry first lived in Salt Spring in 1998 with her two young daughters, where she fell in love with the island and its people. A direct descendent of Baptiste Deschamps (Métis); and Marguerite Berard (Métis) whose Métis roots come from the Red River district in St Boniface, Manitoba. Louis Riel, descended through her family line. Her European family has lived on Turtle Island, since the mid 1600’s, her indigenous family, since time immemorial. Raised in the remote wilderness area Shining Bank, Alberta, she learned to hunt, fish and ride horses at an early age. She ranched in Little Smoky, AB and Chetwynd, B.C where she raised her family of six. A self-taught artist during those years her work was awarded in the Images and Objects juried shows in Fort St John, BC and toured the province. Williams is highly creative, multi-facetted artist, she loves to connect with the muse, and approaches her work that way.” She often paints in what she calls “The Métis Floral tradition” emulating the beadwork of her ancestors. She approaches the style, in a contemporary way with paint, instead of beads. In the spirit of reconciliation this is some of her most important work.
#2 Turtle Spirit – Truth and Honour
Artist: Phyllis Poitras-Jarrett
A Regina, Saskatchewan-based artist of Métis descent, Phyllis uses her artistic talent to depict the deep respect Indigenous people hold for the natural world. Through her artwork, she urges us to be mindful of our actions and their profound impact on Mother Earth. Additionally, she pays homage to the Métis people, often referred to as the “Flower Beadwork People,” by incorporating their cultural elements into her creations. Each of the thirty animals portrayed in her “Spirit of Nature Series” symbolizes unique qualities that exist within ourselves. By embracing these values, we can generate positive energy and create space to acknowledge a greater appreciation for the abundant resources bestowed upon us by Mother Nature. Recognizing this interconnection is crucial for our survival on this planet. Phyllis’ artwork beautifully showcases both nature’s diversity and the vibrancy of Métis floral beadwork through its vivid depictions of animals and intricate designs. Her pieces serve as a powerful reminder that nature’s beauty lies in its rich tapestry of colors and forms. In summary, Phyllis Poitras-Jarrett’s artwork serves as an invitation to reflect on our relationship with nature and embrace our responsibility in caring for all living beings. Through her creative expressions rooted in Indigenous culture, she invites us to appreciate not only the aesthetics but also the inherent wisdom present in every aspect of Mother Earth’s creation.
#3 We Are Singing
Artist: Sharifah Marsden
Sharifah is an Anishinaabe (Ojibway) artist from the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, ON, currently residing in B.C. Sharifah draws from her knowledge of the Woodlands style of art, traditional beadwork, and weaving, creating unique works of acrylic paintings, beadwork, and engraved jewelry.
“This image was created to honor the women hand-drum singers. I have always had a great appreciation for the drum and for the women who pass on the tradition of the drum and the songs. Some of the songs are very old and passed on from generation to generation, other songs are contemporary but rooted in tradition. The songs are sung for many reasons, some are included daily duties like picking berries, and canoeing Some are sung for ceremonies such as naming ceremonies or memorials. I have found some of the softest songs are the lullabies that mothers sing to their children still to this day.”
#4 The Three Sisters
Artist: Suzan Kostiuck
Born in Dawson Creek, B.C., Suzan learned beadwork techniques from her birth mother, a member of the Acho Dene Koe in Ft. Liard, N.W.T. Suzan has lived in the Western provinces of Canada for most of her life, and currently lives in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island.
https://site.blackenwhite.net/home-page
#5 Coast Salish Goat
Artist: Cory Douglas
Cory is a Squamish Nation member with Haida and Tsimshian ancestry. Cory began his business ‘Modern Formline’ as a graphic artist and is now proficiently designing drums, tattoos, original paintings, and hand engraved jewellery.
#6 Monfwii Treaty 11
Artist: Darrell Chocolate
Darrell is a self-taught Dene artist who grew up in the small northern community of Gameti, Northwest Territories, Canada. His ancestral roots come from the Tlicho people. His inspiration for art came from his childhood as he watched CBC’s children’s television show “Mr. Dressup” on his drawing board. It motivated him at an early age of six years old and continued to draw and improve with his sketches throughout his young life. Darrell’s intricate style and detail on his human portraits are clearly unique in its own respect which gives clients a sense of realism in his artwork. Darrell currently resides in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and works for Arctic Canadian Diamond Corporation as a Process Plant Operator at Ekati Diamond Mine working on a rotational 2-week schedule. He devotes his time to his family on his time off work and painting artwork.
www.darrellchocolatefineart.com
#7 Misty Morning
Artist: Mando Littlechild
Mando is a Two-Spirit artist from Maskwacis Four Band. Their work is primarily done in a mix of gouache, acrylic and digital effects added later. They focus on painting lonely, isolated landscapes and vibrant colours, while also introducing bits and pieces of their childhood memories and culture. A piece inspired by foggy pow wow mornings from when I was a child, featuring a lonely tipi surrounded by a soft blue haze.
#8 Fisherman at Peach
Artist: Laird Goulet
A Canadian First Nations Métis artist, raised in The Pas, Manitoba, Laird grew up experiencing life on the Trapline. Laird welcomes you to enjoy his version of traditional lifestyles of the Enniniw combined with a futuristic theme that encourages the viewer to see through his eyes. Laird works primarily in acrylics on canvas, and tries to capture what it’s like to live as a first nations person in Canada, from his early childhood to the present Laird has re-imagined and chose the healing path that has led too an appreciation of who and what he has experienced, with a focus on the human ties to the land, Laird hopes to bring a visualization of that journey too you the viewer.
#1 Little Moose
Artist: Donald Chretien
Donald Chretien is from Nipissing First Nation and his unique style demonstrates his quest for artistic expression of Indigenous identity, which encompasses issues of language, family, location, and self determination.
#2 A Summer Day on Bath Tub Island
Artist: Rod Borghese
Rod Borghese is a Metis Artist from Sault Ste Marie Ontario with family origins on Manitoulin Island, Penetanguishene, and Killarney Ontario. Rod paints landscapes in oil, acrylic and watercolour from his kayak on Lake Superior, Georgian Bay and the North Channel on Lake Huron. Most of his paintings are 8 x 10 canvas or wood. He paints quickly to capture the changing light and textures of the sky on the Great Lakes.
Painting: A summer day on Bath tub Island, near Lake Superior Provincial Park Ontario. Oil on canvas.
Https://RodBorghese.Square.Site
#3 Brother Bear
Artist: Kirk Brant
Kirk is a member of the Mohawks of the Bay Quinte, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Born in Toronto 1969. Kirk graduated from the Graphic Design program, Algonquin College, Ottawa in 1993. His art reflects his heritage as an Indigenous person. Images from pow wows and other social events as well as subject matter from the bush appear in much of his work. Kirk is a self-taught artist. Having painted most of his life he began to paint professionally in his late teens.
About the piece:
“Having been a hunter for most of my life, I was very conscious of the fact that you develop a very intimate relationship with the animals that you are harvesting. This relationship involves knowing when the time of year is right to take an animal, knowing when the animal shouldn’t be taken. Knowing if the animal is sick. Knowing how to track the animal and knowing if the herd is in a deficit or surplus. Then there is the whole process of cleaning an animal and learning how to properly prepare it for consumption. Then we give thanks to the animal itself and everything that created the opportunity for this animal to sustain ourselves and our families.
I realized that this relationship is so intimate that this animal is truly a part of my family. I created this painting to honour an animal that has sustained myself and generations of my family as well as extended family for a very long time.”
#4 Remembers Fire
Artist: Colleen Gray
She remembers the burning tipis and the sound of dying relatives through her grandmother’s telling. A fire ignites within her. Ancient voices remind her of who s he is, and of the place her blood comes from. She moves forward into the new world as a warrior for peace to quiet the fires of anger and so change the future telling. Colleen Gray – My Mother’s people are Mi’qmak/Acadian. My Father’s people are Irish. I am very proud to create products from my art that are sold to benefit youth in remote Indigenous schools through the Art for Aid Project.
#5 Our Elder Brother, the Sun & Our Grandmother, the Moon
Artist: Stevie Jonathan
Stevie Jonathan is a Mohawk nation, Wolf clan woman of the Grand River. She is an artist using a variety of mediums to share ways to connect to language and culture. This piece of artwork is titled, “Our Elder Brother, the Sun & Our Grandmother, the Moon”. This is part of series of artwork designed for giving thanks for all the Creator has given us, through recitation and visuals of Ganohonyohk. Creating artwork that elevates language learning for others and myself is a top priority as Indigenous languages, Cayuga for example, are critically endangered with each at varying degrees and some not expected to be transmissible after the next decade. I hope my art serves as a way for others to pause and give thanks for what we have and to also spark the fire inside of them to learn their language.
#6 By the Stream
Artist: Mark Nadjiwan
The subject matter and style of artist Mark Nadjiwan are predominantly inspired by his First Nation’s heritage. He is a self-taught artist who works in pen and ink. His unique style is a fusion of the Woodland and Northwest Coast Native art traditions, where one will see the Woodland’s characteristic x-ray and wavy line motifs interwoven with the clean formlines and geometry that typify Northwest Coast art. In more recent years, Mark’s artwork and accompanying stories have begun to address the environmental and political challenges facing our modern times. His work can be found in venues across Canada as well as private collections in Canada, the United States and Europe. Mark’s First Nation roots are grounded in the Georgian Bay and Lake Superior regions. He lives in the traditional territories of the Anishnabek Nation on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula and he is a member of Neyaashiinigmiing Unceded First Nation.
Bear (Mukwa) is an important clan figure to many of the First Peoples across Turtle Island (North America). Among all the four-leggeds, Bear is often said to possess the most human-like qualities, having much to teach us about life and ourselves. In addition to the admirable quality of strength, Bear can often demonstrate great patience while waiting quietly by a stream’s edge, as in the picture, for the right moment to pluck a fish from a swirling current. Bear also has attributes that point toward the transcendent; such as Bear’s preference for honey that some believe represents a yearning for the sweetness of truth. We too, can find truth buried deep in the Tree of Life, where risk (bees!) sometimes also awaits. Bear’s winter retreat into the den bespeaks of the importance of introspection in our lives, reminding us to go into our own silent places — including dreamtime — to reflect and be reborn into a new season of life.
#7 Turtle Island
Artist: Patrick Hunter
Patrick Hunter is a two-spirit, Ojibwe painter, graphic designer and award-winning entrepreneur from Red Lake, Ontario. Patrick paints what he sees through a spiritual lens—inspired by his homeland, surrounded by the original works of Woodland painter Norval Morrisseau throughout his community.
Art and design have been the driving force throughout Patrick’s life. This passion for the arts led him to the graphic design program at Sault College (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) and then to Toronto to pursue a career in design. Those early days were filled with the “wrong jobs” which led to the launch of his own company, Patrick Hunter Art & Design in 2014. He began initially by selling original paintings through patrickhunter.ca with the mandate to create art that makes people feel good. He has since expanded to include prints, blankets, glassware, and apparel with his art—purchased by people around the world.
Patrick believes a better world can be created through art, where future generations can see themselves reflected in mainstream culture. This hope for the future informs his work. With that in mind, he has been working toward this goal through collaborations in the corporate world, including the Olympics, Rogers Media Company, the Chicago Blackhawks, Holt Renfrew, Giant Tiger, Hyundai, and Nelson Publishing, to name a few.
#8 Generational
Artist: Chief Lady Bird
Chief Lady Bird is a Chippewa and Potawatomi artist from Rama First Nation and Moosedeer Point First Nation, who is currently based in Rama. She graduated from OCAD University in 2015 with a BFA in Drawing and Painting and a minor in Indigenous Visual Culture. Chief Lady Bird’s art practice is continuously shapeshifting but always influenced by her passion for empowering and uplifting Indigenous folks through the subversion of colonial narratives.
She utilizes her social media platform(s) along with digital illustration, acrylic painting, mixed media portraits, and murals to centre contemporary truths and envision Indigenous Futurisms by portraying intersectional Indigenous experiences and asserting our presence on stolen land. Specifically, much of her work is based on the stories we tell through the reclamation of our bodies and sexuality, which often intersects with land sovereignty and language reclamation, and activates dialogues about cultural appropriation, reconnection to land based knowledge and various forms of love (self love, lateral love, ancestral love). She hopes that her images can be a catalyst for reimagining our relationship with the land, each other, and ourselves.
Generational is a digital illustration that emphasizes the connection between generations. Specifically, this piece centers Indigenous parenthood, which is a practice that is deeply connected to our ancestors and Anishinaabe cosmologies.