Support Indigenous artists

Support Indigenous artists – buy beaded earrings or find a new painting or sculpture. You could pick up something for yourself or pick up something for a friend. Find something traditional or go modern. There are so many incredible artists out there, find what you love and support them.

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See the work of Rebecca Belmore

Rebecca Belmore, a member of the Lac Seul First Nation (Anishinaabe), is an internationally recognized multidisciplinary artist. Rooted in the political and social realities of Indigenous communities, Belmore’s works make evocative connections between bodies, land and language. In 2005, she was Canada’s official representative in the Venice Biennale, an international contemporary art exhibit.

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Daphne Odjig

Daphne Odjig, an internationally recognized and renowned artist, was one of Canada’s most celebrated Indigenous artists. Her work exposed political issues, the marginalization of Indigenous children and women, and the issues of colonization. Along with being the first First Nation woman artist to show at the National Gallery of Canada, Odjig received the Order of Canada, the Order of British Columbia, and seven honorary degrees.

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The REDress Project

The REDress Project focuses on the issue of missing or murdered Aboriginal women across Canada. It is an installation art project in response to this critical national issue. The project has been installed in public spaces throughout Canada and the United States as a visual reminder of the staggering number of women who are no longer with us. 

This project gave rise to Red Dress Day.

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Learn about Ruth Cuthand

Artist Ruth Cuthand was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, of plains Cree, Scottish and Irish ancestry. Her creative practice ranges from printmaking, painting, drawing, photography, and beadwork and influenced by her childhood experiences of diseases, settler/Native relationships and living conditions of Indigenous peoples.

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Watch: Brown Town Muddy Water

Brown Town Muddy Water honours the relationship between Indigenous people and the meeting place known as The Forks.

This film chronicles musicians who shaped Winnipeg’s main street in the 1960’s like the late Percy Tuesday, Errol Ranville and Billy Joe Green. For the emerging urban Aboriginal community, echoes of home sounded through music, dance, story and gatherings. Peoples lived experiences of emergence, segregation, racism, camaraderie and resistance are as resilient as the downtown streets of Winnipeg. The professional musicians that grew up on this notorious strip paved the road to success for forthcoming generations of Indigenous artists.

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Read writing on Reconciliation

Read the works of Richard Van Camp, a proud member of the Dogrib (Tlicho) Nation from Fort Smith, NWT, Canada from Fort Smith, NWT. He is a graduate of the En’owkin International School of Writing, the University of Victoria’s Creative Writing BFA Program, and the Master’s Degree in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia.

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Support Indigenous Theatre

Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre is an ambitious theatre company based in Saskatoon that presents unique Indigenous theatre and youth programs. Attend their plays or donate. If Indigenous theatre is not in your community, read plays by longtime GTNT contributor, playwright/actor Curtis Peeteetuce or Canadian icon Thomson Highway.

Also, check out the Poundmaker Indigenous Performance Festival, with it’s goal of celebrating the talent and diversity of local Indigenous singers, dancers, poets, and actors.

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Read One Thunderous Voice: A Youth E-Journalism Project

One Thunderous Voice is a project that brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth to engage in e-journalism projects at community events focused on Truth and Reconciliation. Teachers and students from two schools have joined forces: the Constable Robin Cameron Education Complex at Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation, and Aden Bowman Collegiate Institute in Saskatoon, SK.

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Follow These Indigenous Visual Artists

Allen Sapp was a Cree painter from Red Pheasant Cree Nation who resided in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. His art and his story have become well known throughout Canada.

Daphne Odjig was a Canadian First Nations artist of Odawa-Potawatomi-English heritage. Her painting is often characterized as Woodlands Style. She was the driving force behind the Professional Native Indian Artists Association, colloquially known as the Indian Group of Seven.

Alex Simeon Janvier is a pioneer of contemporary Canadian Aboriginal art in Canada and a member of the Indigenous Group of Seven. He was born in Cold Lake First Nation and is of Dene and Saultaux descent.

Jerry Whitehead is a Cree artist from Peter Chapman First Nation. Powwow and powwow dancers have remained an important theme and inspiration for his work.

Christi Belcourt is a Métis visual artist and author best known for her acrylic paintings which depict floral patterns inspired by Métis and First Nations historical beadwork art. Belcourt’s work often focuses on questions around identity, culture, place and divisions within communities.

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Visit Indigenous Art Galleries

Find art galleries in your community that showcase the work of Indigenous artists. Visual and performance artists that focus on Indigenous historical, traditional and contemporary art can inspire and educate. Here are some around Saskatchewan: WanuskewinFirst Nations University Art Gallery, Sâkêwêwak Artists’ Collective Regina

Or visit The Allen Sapp Gallery: The Gonor Collection virtually or in person in North Battleford!

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Learn About the Significance of Indigenous Drums

The Native Drums web project is a diverse dialogue on culture, history and traditional knowledge with Indigenous cultural partners, educational institutions, government and private industry. Centred around the central themes of drums and music of Canadian First Peoples, Native Drums traces the history, mythology, and significance of the drum in traditional societies of Canada’s Eastern Woodlands, compared with Western Coastal regions in terms of history, arts and culture.

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Listen to Indigenous Musicians

Indigenous Musicians on CBC Music

Indigenous Music Countdown

Listen to episodes of Reclaimed, CBC’s Indigenous music program. Get to know nominees and winners of the Indigenous Music Awards. Watch videos showcasing Canada’s top Indigenous musicians. Here are some lists and artists to start you off!

We hate trying to fit these genre-defying artists into categories, but hope it will help you find your next favourite artist.
FOLK, ROCK, SINGER/SONGWRITER Andrea MenardDigging RootsSusan Aglukark, Winston WuttuneeJohn ArcandTomson Highway
ALTERNATIVE  Tanya TagaqiskwēJeremy Dutcher,  Melody McKiver
CLASSICAL Cris Derksen
COUNTRY Crystal ShawandaShane Yellowbird
ELECTRONIC A Tribe Called Red
HIP HOP  T-RhymeEekwol, DrezusJB The First Lady, Joey Stylez
TRADITIONAL Northern Cree

Want to recommend an artist for this list? Send it to us!

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Attend a cultural event at a Friendship Centre in your community

Friendship Centres provide services to urban Indigenous communities. Friendship Centres were first established in the 1950s, and there are now more than 100 Centres across Canada. Find your local Friendship Centre through the National Association of Friendship Centres or visit:
Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Indian & Métis Friendship Centres

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