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

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