This year, National Indigenous Peoples Day also coincides with Summer Solstice on June 21. It is a great way to celebrate the unique culture and achievements of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples of our country.
During National Indigenous Peoples Day and June's National Indigenous History Month, explore:
- amazing artwork by Indigenous artists in the AFA's collection
- upcoming events throughout the province
- resources and events across Canada
About the artwork:
Poitras enjoys working in a variety of media including painting and mixed media collages that incorporate historical and contemporary symbols, newspaper clippings, and painted elements. In her work, 'Legacy of a Liberated Culture', she uses mixed media to create a colorful collage to highlight her diverse culture.
View the artwork in Augmented Reality. And click on the pink 'AFA virtual museum' below to discover other artworks by Poitras from 1984 to 2019.
About the Artist:
Jane Ash Poitras was born in the northern Alberta Cree community of Fort Chipewyan. Even though it was recommended for her to pick another career, as it was perceived it would be impossible to make a living as an artist, her resiliency helped her achieve a successful career.
She has garnered her many accolades and achievements through her career, including being a recipient of:
- the Alberta Centennial Medal (2005)
- Order of Canada (2007)
- Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Award (2011).
Image description
Multi-color images of an Indigenous person wearing a black and red feathered head dress, brown dog-like animal, yellow and red bird-like animal, black and red and turquoise abstract faces, and various black and white historic symbols. Four tipis with various colors including brown, yellow, whilte, red, green, blue and pink are at the bottom of the painting.