Bruce Giizhig Barry is a Canadian Anishinaabe artist, film maker, writer, and a member of the Sandy Bay Ojibwe First Nation.

“All children come from Creator born mystics, until this world grinds it out of them. Art is a language that can strengthen our children by giving them a voice and agency. We don’t live in a world of doors, but one of mirrors, Indigenous visual art, music, and poetry is a balm to the soul, it can cut through fog towards reconciliation and invest our children again with their sacred birthright. You will leave this talk with additional practical tools using accessible resources, in your home and community, to engage youth in expressing their voice, in using the gift from Creator for all to create.”

Most have likely seen his art on the poster for the Clint Eastwood film ‘Indian Horse.’ He sold his first art in 1975, and is known for robust visuals grounded in authentic individual and collective Indigenous narratives of people, animals and others. His art is collected in private and public collections internationally. He also completes mini artist residencies in Indigenous Communities, many remote and isolated, with a focus on using available resources of nature to create art.

Art is a visual language that can express the sacredness of life, of hope, meaning and community cohesion. Given the limited ability of the spoken word, especially the language of a dominate culture, Art allows one to express and share what needs to be expressed in a way that is, otherwise, not possible. Voice is key to any hope for “Truth and Reconciliation” within a family, community, or world level.

He will be hanging around before and after his talk to speak with young Indigenous Artists, answer questions, encourage and share.

Website: www.brucebarryart.com

Instagram: brucebarryart

Twitter: @brucebarryart

Youtube: brucebarryart