Ontario is represented by several Indigenous groups that spread across Canada’s largest province, namely: Ojibway, Cree Delware, Potawatomi, Oneida, Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga and Tuscarora(1). Métis and diverse Indigenous nations from across Canada will also be represented in Ontario, often due to the large variety of college and university options to study.
There is no lack of renowned Indigenous visual art talent from the province of Ontario. Award winning, honorary degrees, established international reputations and permanent museum, gallery and private collections throughout the world would just begin to describe the accomplishments of the recognizable names of Indigenous visual artists that come from Ontario. Daphne Odjig from Manitoulin Island, Joe Jacobs, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and the late Norval Morrisseau Ojibway are all such leading names of Indigenous visual art talent that has sprung from Ontario. Daphne Odjig(10) and Joe Jacobs(11) have both been honoured as recipients of the National Aboriginal Achievement Arts and Culture Award. The late Norval Morrisseau(12) was also honoured by his peers and given the National Aboriginal Achievement Lifetime Achievement Award. The combined accomplishments and accolades bestowed these three visual artists is a testament to their lifetime dedication to break new ground for current and future generations of Indigenous visual artists. All total, Daphne Odjig, Joe Jacobs and the late Norval Morrisseau have all been amazing role models and have contributed tremendously to generating a contemporary positive profile of Indigenous artists globally.
This article is a non-comprehensive and living document that provides an overview of artistic activities in the region. It will be revised as necessary as part of our ongoing process of continuous updates.
1) http://www.aboriginalcanada.com/firstnation/dirfnont.htm
10) http://www.naaf.ca/html/d_odjig_e.html
11) http://www.naaf.ca/html/j_jacobs_e.html
12) http://www.naaf.ca/html/norval_morrisseau_e.html