When Indigenous cultures were outlawed across Canada, generations of voices were silenced. Join Indigenous journalists Chris Beaver and Shelby Lisk as they uncover the history and lives of eight First Nations artists who brought those stories back for the world to see and hear. This story of resurgence is told through the lives and artwork of acclaimed artists Norval Morrisseau, Daphne Odjig, Alex Janvier, Robert Houle, Carl Beam, Faye HeavyShield, Robert Davidson, and Bonnie Devine.

Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Chris Beaver speaks with Anishinaabe curator Wanda Nanibush and Scots-Lakota scholar Carmen Robertson about Norval Morrisseau, who invented the First Nations abstract art style known as the Woodland School.

The episode delves into the stereotypes that attached themselves to Morrisseau's work and legacy. Despite attending residential school and generations of Indigenous cultural expression being banned by the Indian Act, Morrisseau broke the taboo and painted Ojibwa legends and stories to preserve them for future generations of First Nations in Canada.

This episode mentions residential schools. The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience. 1-800-721-0066. Please take care while listening.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

To view the art referenced in this episode: https://www.tvo.org/article/the-art-of-sovereignty

To contact the Estate of Norval Morrisseau: https://www.officialmorrisseau.com/

Norval Morrisseau: Life and Work by Carmen Robertson: https://www.aci-iac.ca/art-books/norval-morrisseau/

Listen to the full interview, “Norval Morrisseau greets the art world in 1962”: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2682359696

Carleton’s Carmen Robertson leading important project on the Indigenous art of Norval Morrisseau [article]: https://research.carleton.ca/story/carmen-robertson-norval-morrisseau-project/

Mythologizing Morrisseau by Carmen Robertson: https://uofmpress.ca/books/detail/mythologizing-norval-morrisseau

CREDITS:
Norval Morrisseau - Teachings of the Grand Shaman - 1981 - Unknown/youtube.com

Norval Morrisseau - Where we go after we die... - Unknown/youtube.com

Norval Morrisseau greets the art world in 1962 - Close-Up/CBC/cbc.ca

Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.

Donate to TVO: http://tvo.org/give

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Shelby Lisk speaks with Anishinaabe curator and artist Bonnie Devine about Daphne Odjig, the matriarch of contemporary Indigenous arts in Canada. Most well-known for painting family life, colonial history, and Anishinaabe legends, Odjig pushed back against what the art market demanded of her as an Indigenous artist - as she embraced her Potawatomi identity. She also fiercely supported other Indigenous artists, opening her own art gallery, and forming the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc.

This episode mentions residential schools. The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience. 1-800-721-0066. Please take care while listening.

Special thanks to Betty Ann Adam, JoAnne Fishburn (Good Influence Films), and the Indigenous 150+ training program for their mentorship on writing this episode and advocating for narrative sovereignty.

To view the art referenced in this episode: https://www.tvo.org/article/the-art-of-sovereignty

Clips:
Daphne Odjig reflects on her life and her art - Midday/CBC/cbc.ca

Further reading:

“Bonnie Devine offers a tribute to Daphne Odjig,” Canadian Art Magazine:
https://canadianart.ca/features/daphne-odjig-1919-2016/

Daphne Odjig, Canadian Encyclopedia entry written by Bonnie Devine:
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/daphne-odjig

Listen to the full interview, “Daphne Odjig reflects on her life and her art”: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2682358527

Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.

Donate to TVO: http://tvo.org/give

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.