Our stories define who we are. When Indigenous cultures were outlawed across Canada, voices were silenced. When those stories went underground to survive, others tried to define them. It was artists who brought those stories back for the world to see and hear.
On The Art of Sovereignty podcast, Chris Beaver and Shelby Lisk explore the lives of eight First Nations artists whose art reclaims Indigenous voices and identities in a country that tried to silence them.
What follows is the art explored in each episode.
Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.
Still from Book of Transformation: Stories from the Shield video, Bonnie Devine.
Bonnie Devine Battle for the Woodlands: Anishinaabitude, 2014-2015
Bonnie Devine Battle for the Woodlands: Anishinaabitude, 2014-2015
Episode 7: Robert Davidson
Drying the Tears Courtesy of Robert Davidson
Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.
Episode 6: Faye HeavyShield
Courtesy of Faye HeavyShield
Calling Stones (Conversations) (2017), Faye HeavyShield Image of instillation by Marc Hutchinson
Calling Stones (Conversations) (2017), Faye HeavyShield Image of instillation by Marc Hutchinson
Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.
Episode 5: Carl Beam
Burying the Ruler (1992), Carl Beam - Courtesy of the Estate of Carl and Ann Beam, represented by Gallery Gevik
The North American Iceberg (1985), Carl Beam - Courtesy of the Estate of Carl and Ann Beam, represented by Gallery Gevik
My Christian Dior Bathing Suit (1980), Carl Beam - Courtesy of the Estate of Carl and Ann Beam, represented by Gallery Gevik
Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.
Image of Robert Houle - Unknown photographer / Library and Archives Canada / Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development fonds / e011307117
Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Hamilton
Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.
Episode 3: Alex Janvier
Our Lady of the Teepee (1950) Courtesy of the Janvier Gallery
St. Joseph the Carpenter (1950) Courtesy of the Janvier Gallery
Morning Star (1993), Alex Janvier – Canadian Museum of History, IMG2009-0085-001
Beaver Crossing Indian Colours (The Unpredictable East) (1967), Alex Janvier - Archives de la Ville de Montréal, VM94-EXd007-015, CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 CA
Episode 2: Daphne Odjig
Portrait of Daphne Odjig - Barbara Woodley / Labatt Breweries of Canada / Library and Archives Canada / e010955979
Two Ladies Quilting Courtesy of Odjig Arts
Medicine Dream Courtesy of Odjig Arts
The Indian in Transition Courtesy of Odjig Arts
Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.
Episode 1: Norval Morrisseau
Portrait of Norval Morrisseau. Courtesy of the Estate of Norval Morrisseau. To contact the Estate of Norval Morrisseau: https://www.officialmorrisseau.com/
Indian Erotic Fantasy (n.d.), Norval Morrisseau. Courtesy of the Estate of Norval Morrisseau. To contact the Estate of Norval Morrisseau: https://www.officialmorrisseau.com/
The Land (Land Rights) (1976), Norval Morrisseau. Courtesy of the Estate of Norval Morrisseau. To contact the Estate of Norval Morrisseau: https://www.officialmorrisseau.com/
Mother Earth and Her Children 1967, Norval Morrisseau and Carl Ray. Courtesy of the Estate of Norval Morrisseau. To contact the Estate of Norval Morrisseau: https://www.officialmorrisseau.com/
Man Changing Into Thunderbird (1977), Norval Morrisseau. Courtesy of the Estate of Norval Morrisseau. To contact the Estate of Norval Morrisseau: https://www.officialmorrisseau.com/
Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.