The Prairie region in Canada includes the three western provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Indigenous peoples in this region include Métis, First Nations represented by several main nations, namely; Cree, Blood, Ojibway and Blackfoot, Dakota, Lakota, Slave, Chippewayan, Beaver and Sarcee(1).
Contributions to visual arts from Indigenous peoples from the Canadian Prairies are ongoing and have deep roots, many accomplishments and national and international recognition.
One well-recognized Saskatchewan Cree visual artist from the Red Pheasant First Nations and the 1999 Lifetime Achievement recipient at the National Aboriginal Achievement Award(9) is Dr. Allen Sapp. In his own humble reckoning, Dr. Sapp would declare “he simply painted” and has been painting and selling his art since the 1950s and early 60s; he established a creative foundation to capture the natural world with his unique style of realism. Dr. Sapp has had his life story documented for television and numerous journalists have written articles. In addition, in 1989 Dr. Sapp was inducted into the Order of Canada.
Alberta Cree/Chipewyan and world-renowned visual artist Jane Ash Poitras earned her Fine Arts Degree in 1985 in New York at Columbia University. Jane has defined a pioneering edge by incorporating historical images through painting and mixed media – she describes this as a “reclamation process” to address acculturation issues. With numerous awards, international gallery exhibits and guest lectures within Canada and around the world she was awarded the 2006 Arts and Culture National Aboriginal Achievement Award(10).
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/dirfnab.htm
9) http://www.naaf.ca/html/a_sapp_e.html
10) http://www.naaf.ca/html/j_ashpoitras_e.html