June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day
Today, June 21, 2021, marks the 25th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, we invited our gallery members to showcase some of the talented Indigenous artists they represent. For many of these artists, traditional teachings and culture play a large part of their artwork. We would like to celebrate these artists by highlighting their outstanding work.
View all the spotlights on our Facebook or Instagram pages and scroll through the gallery below. You can also view the featured artworks from these artists until June 30, and more at all of our member galleries listed at www.shopthegalleries.ca.
Lyndon Tootoosis is an artist represented by Nouveau Gallery. Through sculpture, he shares teachings and stories of his People.
“I interpret Cree stories and legends in my work. With blessings of my Elders, I share teachings lost over time.”
View the artwork here and read the full post on Instagram.
Donna Lee Dumont is an artist, raised in both Northern Ontario and Northern Saskatchewan. She works in a variety of mediums and is represented by Black Spruce Gallery.
“I can't remember when I didn't paint. Art is what you do and who you are.”
View more artwork by Donna Lee Dumont on the Black Spruce Gallery website and read the full post on Instagram.
Geanna Dunbar is a freelance Cree-Métis artist who works with many mixed mediums as well as body pierce and tattoo. Her art can be found at The Woods Art Space.
“My work explores many things - I draw inspiration from everything around me from garbage that casts a shadow or graffiti that passes by on a train. I enjoy upcycling materials that people wouldn't think twice about throwing away.”
View the artwork here and read the full post on Instagram.
Kevin Pee-Ace is an artist and member of the Yellowquill First Nation, represented by Collector’s Choice Art Gallery.
"The memories become symbolized; to me as the artist, I find that the pain becomes hidden, within the symbols. Literally this painting has come at a significant moment, not only in my life today, but as a First Nations person dealing with the trauma of the residential school system."
View more work by Kevin Pee-Ace on the Collector’s Choice website and read the full post on Instagram.
Katherine Boyer (Métis/Settler) is a multidisciplinary artist, whose work is focused on methods bound to textile arts and the handmade - primarily woodworking and beadwork. Her work is available at Slate Fine Art Gallery.
“I draw inspiration from lived-in environments, both natural and human made.”
View the artwork here and read the full post on Instagram.
Donna Langhorne (Donna The Strange), is a member of Fishing Lake First Nations and a resident of Air Ronge, Saskatchewan. She has been painting professionally for the past ten years and is widely recognized for her paintings in the Woodlands style on subjects addressing contemporary issues facing Indigenous people. Her work is available at Dervilia art + design.
View more artwork by Donna The Stange on the Dervilia art + design website and read the full post on Instagram.
Assiniboia Gallery chose to showcase the work of late artist, Mike Keepness (1981-2021).
Growing up in the Qu’Appelle Valley region of southern Saskatchewan allowed Mike Keepness the freedom to discover and explore the coulees and hills of its distinctive prairie landscape. It is an area that inspired him and informed his work.
Mike painted en plein air and enjoyed the opportunities and challenges this approach brought to his professional art practice. He noted that “although it can be quite the task to deal with the effects of weather, the end result of all outdoor studies is that they are good for colour reference.
View the artwork here and read the full post on Instagram.
Christopher ‘Day One’ Lightning is an independent First Nations artist from Maskwacis, Alberta whose decades long story following the artistic path has been tough at times; but his talent, generosity and perseverance have ensured his reputation as both a respected artist and valued community member.
His work is available to purchase at Hansen-Ross House.
View more artwork by Christopher Lightning on the Hansen Ross House website and read the full post on Instagram.
Julie Francella, or Waawaaeshi’kwe, is the name given to her by her First Nations Elders - it means Deer Woman. She is represented by Traditions Hand Craft Gallery. She is an author, advocate, speaker and currently a clinical caseworker at a residential treatment centre in Saskatchewan, where she works with youth with complex trauma histories. Julie has made a life-long commitment to educate the public as well as improve the quality of living for families touched by trauma and domestic violence.
View more information on the Traditions Hand Craft Gallery website and read the full post on Instagram.
Ruth Cuthand is represented by The Gallery / art placement inc. Cuthand was born on Treaty 6 Land, of Plains Cree and Scottish ancestry. She grew up in Alberta near the Blood Reserve, where at the age of eight she met artist Gerald Tailfeathers and decided that she too wanted to be an artist.
View more of Ruth's work on the Art Placement Gallery website and read the full post on Instagram.