Meet the Faculty Members of Indigenous Fine Arts and Indigenous Studies

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Prince Albert. On my Dad’s side, I am a member of the Mistawasis (Big Child) Cree Nation, which is West of Prince Albert. On my Mom’s side we are connected to Ahtahkakoop (Starblanket) Cree Nation.

What is something we don’t know about you?

I once had 666 people mad at me at the same time and I lived so I’m not afraid of too many things. We were having a land claim vote that ended up with that number of band members being in favour. There were 182 people who voted against it, and I thought that several people were going to write letters about it. I was the only one who sent a letter contesting the vote. I argued it all the way up to the Privy Council Office in Ottawa. That didn’t stop [the land claim], but it made a lot of people mad at me because payouts were delayed until the government felt the issue was ‘resolved’.

What is your area of study?

Art History of the Americas, which includes Western Art History. We had to study the colonizers’ Art History to learn how our art changed. I also have a BA in Museum Studies with a concentration in curation and exhibition. Through that, I studied the histories of museums and repatriation. Other areas of interest include art theft, and the black market of antiquities.

What do you research? Do you publish or have books (and do you want to talk about your publications?)

I focus on different styles of art from the Americas, in all different groups. For example, I study pre-contact goldsmithing and the pre-contact history of metalsmithing in the Americas. Artists also do a lot of research for paintings so they are able to make strong statements with art.

I have a short essay published by the Saskatchewan Archeological Society on projectile points being sculptural form – how math and sciences are reflected in art. I am working on a book about how I teach and value art; I teach Native Art History classes and the book will reflect my approach and lessons learned.

What are you most proud of?

My kids (3) and grandkids (8). My kids have all done well, and my grandkids continue to teach me every day.

I am proud of my students. I demand that they think and write critically and much of the work coming out of the studios and art history classes has been exceptional.

Do you have a 5-year plan? What does it include?

Maybe retired. For this program, I would like a strong, fully-established stream of study in the fine arts and Indigenous art histories.

Where are you from?

I grew up on Muscowpetung First Nation. I lived in Hawaii, studying Indigenous politics. My favourite thing is to learn languages.

What is something we don’t know about you?

I am a musician; I make beats. I produce music, play guitar. I make music for people, and have been learning country and blues since I was a kid. I’ve recorded music in Los Angeles and Anaheim. My biggest influence was my brother… he would paint and play guitar and critique. We did that for a very long time. He made me see the colours in art and music. The way I teach is old-school Cree, storytelling learnt from him. I aspire to be a storyteller like him.

What is your area of study?

Indigenous hunting, community health, storytelling, and old old history.

What do you research? Do you publish or have books (and do you want to talk about your publications?)

Lots of work with Indigenous sports, NHL hockey especially. I have been a part of the Indigenous Hockey Network, interviewing athletes… lots about how they got to that level and how they stay there.

I have 2 articles, and I’m working on an article this summer about the genealogy of First Nation hunters, recording their stories as told by oral tradition.

What are you most proud of?

My daughters. They gave me everything. My oldest is about four years old, Wahseegun-Skwew (Lightning Woman), and my new baby is Migizi (Eagle). She is so brave… is a tomboy.

Do you have a 5-year plan? What does it include?

Not really. Maybe publish more articles.