Indigenous
Art
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection has long recognized the important contributions that Indigenous artists have made to Canada’s artistic and cultural heritage. Over the years, the McMichael’s collection of Indigenous art has expanded significantly in both depth and scope, and continues to grow and flourish.
Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun (b. 1957), New Climate Landscape (Northwest Coast Climate Change), 2019, acrylic on canvas,193 x 243.8 cm, Purchase, BMO Financial Group, 2020, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2020.10, Photo: Craig Boyko, © Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun.
Attributed to Bob Harris, Chief Xi’xa’niyus, “Gives All His Blankets Away” (1870–1930) & Johnny Davis, Chief Lalakinx’idi, “The One Who Always Went Too Far” (1867–70–c. 1921), Kumugwe’, “Wealthy One,” Chief of the Undersea Kingdom Mask, c. 1890, western red cedar, paint, 66 x 35.5 x 62 cm, Purchase 1977, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1977.2.1.A-.B. Photo: Craig Boyko
Norval Morrisseau (1932–2007), Shaman and Disciples, 1979, acrylic on canvas, 180.5 x 211.5 cm, Purchase 1979, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1979.34.7 © Estate of Norval Morrisseau
Joe Talirunili (1893?–1976), The Migration, 1976, stone and sealskin with wood, 32.5 x 42 x 23 cm, Purchase 1980, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1980.2
Kent Monkman (b. 1965), Compositional Study for Tâpwêwin (Truth), 2025, acrylic on canvas, 137.8 x 182.9 cm, Purchased with the support of Rosamond Ivey, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2025.32
Kenojuak Ashevak (1927–2013), Lukta Qiatsuk (1928–2004), Woman Who Lives in the Sun, 1960, stonecut on paper, 49.3 x 65.4 cm, gift of Mrs. Alma Houston, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1975.65.1
Carl Beam (1943–2005), Various Concerns of the Artist, n.d., photo etching on paper, 121.7 x 80.5 cm, Purchase 1985, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1985.29.3
Dana Claxton (b. 1959), Headdress—Shadae, 2018, LED firebox with transmounted lightjet chromogenic transparency, 152.4 × 101.6 cm, Purchase 2020, BMO Financial Group, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2020.5
Beau Dick (1955–2017), Taksam, wood, horse hair, paint, 52.5 x 27.5 x 5.6 cm, Gift from the Christopher Bredt and Jamie Cameron Collection, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2014.6.21
Meryl McMaster (b.1988), Between the Start of Things and the End of Things III, 2019, printed 2020, digital C-prints on Fuji Crystal Archive Luster paper, each panel: 101.6 × 152.4 cm, Gift of the artist, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2020.12.A–.C. Photo courtesy of Stephen Bulger Gallery, Toronto, Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain, Montreal contemporain © Meryl McMaster
Jut-Ke-Nay Hazel Wilson (1941–2016), Legend of the Golden Spruce Button Blanket, 1997, wool melton, various buttons (plastic, abalone, mother-of-pearl, copper, shells), various beads (metal, glass, plastic), sinew, and threads, 143.8 x 152.2 cm, Gift from the Christopher Bredt and Jamie Cameron Collection, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2014.6.36
Native Art Department International (founded 2016), Aanzinaago (Caught in a Transformation) 01, 2024, acrylic on canvas, 121.9 x 152.4 cm, Purchased with the generous support of Hatch, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2024.37, Photo Credit: Toni Hafkenscheid, 2025.
Charles Edenshaw (1838–1924), Wasco Bracelet, c. 1910, silver, 6.4 x 6.7 cm, Purchase 1974, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1981.108.1. Photo: Craig Boyko
Daphne Odjig (1919–2016), Rebirth of a Culture, 1979, acrylic on canvas, 124.5 x 155.5 cm, Donated by James Hubbard and Dennis Jones in honour of Estella and Stuart Wright, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1991.14
Attributed to Albert Edward Edenshaw (1812–1894), Raven Rattle, c. 1860, wood with paint, 11 x 31.7 x 10.3 cm, Purchase 1974, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1974.6
Barry Ace (b. 1958), Fox Tail Moccasins, 2016, found shoes, Arctic fox tails and fur, capacitors, light- emitting diodes, resistors, glass beads, porcupine quills, rooster feathers, dyed split feathers, tin cones, glass white heart trade beads, bone hairpipe, pony beads, satin edge bias, mother-of-pearl buttons, synthetic porcupine hair, cowrie shells, cotton thread, rope, metal, wooden shoe lasts, each: 14 x 19.1 x 109.2 cm, Purchased with the generous support of The Dr. Michael Braudo Fund of the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2022.1.A-B
Tim Pitsiulak (1967–2016), Iceberg Ice, 2015, coloured pencil on paper, 121.9 × 157.5 cm, promised gift of Christopher Bredt and Jamie Cameron, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2020.109.22
Darcie Bernhardt (b. 1993), Laundry Day in Husky Lakes, 2024, oil and glue on canvas, 122.5 × 152.9 cm, Purchased with the generous support of the Dr. Michael Braudo Fund of the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2024.41
Once-known Gitxsan Maker, Human Face Mask, 19th century, wood with paint, 22 x 16.8 x 12.8 cm, gift of Mr. A.Y. Jackson, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1969.28
Jessie Oonark (1906–1985), Untitled, c. 1972, felt with embroidery thread, thread, 203 x 152 cm, Gift of Vincent Tovell, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1990.4
Nadia Myre (b. 1974), Untitled (study for country where beavers, deers, elks and such beasts keep), 2019, ceramic, stainless wire, 213 x 51 cm, Purchase, BMO Financial Group, 2020, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2020.7
Siassie Kenneally (1969–2018), Women’s Feast, 2014, coloured pencil and ink on paper, 49.5 x 63.5 cm, Promised gift of Christopher Bredt and Jamie Cameron, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2020.109.13
Nisga’a, Mask, 1850, wood with paint and abalone inlay, 22.5 x 20.8 x 11.3 cm, Purchase 1979, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1979.5
Great Lakes First Nation, Pair of Moccasins, between 1770 and 1780, black-dyed deerskin sewn with sinew, decorated with porcupine quillwork and fringed with red-dyed deer hair tassels inserted in tinned iron cones, each: 26.7 cm long, Gift of Dr. Phil Nuytten, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2013.7.2.A-B