Métis Portraits
“These portraits are historical documents” – JD Hawk
“Bridging the Gap”
This was a personal project which started with JD asking himself, “Many artists have painted the Metis Leader Louis Riel, but where are all the other Metis people and their stories?”.
After the hanging of Metis Leader Louis Riel in 1885, the Metis continued to be persecuted. Many hid in plain sight, but their resilience, determination, culture, and family stories continued. Canada is slowly recognizing the mistakes it made towards the Metis.
Bridging the Gap is a collection of twelve original oil painting portraits of Metis individuals to share the stories of the people, and to show they have been here all along. This collection originally consisted of twelve, but now there are eleven. One of the portraits has significant historical value and was acquired by the
Canadian Museum of History.
Funded by JD Hawk, and in part with the assistance
of the Manitoba Arts Council.
The paintings remain in the private collection of JD Hawk.
Museums & Galleries
If you wish to display this collection,
please inquire at info@jdhawkartstudio.com
Ron Poirier
Oil on Canvas
24″ x 32″
Moose hide jacket & beaded mitts, made in 1913 – Churchill MB Canada,
belonging to Ron’s great-uncle.
JoAnne Remillard
MMF Minister
Oil on Canvas
24″ x 32″
The beaded staff is a flask. The antler, when turned upside down is used as a cup.
This was made and used by her father in the late 1960’s
Verna DeMontigny
Oil on Canvas
18″ x 24″
Has played an integral part in the preservation of the Michif language
and culture.
Metis Language Specialist
Read Article
Jason Lepine
Métis Fiddling Champion, Recording Artist and Manitoba Fiddle Association Wall of Fame Inductee.
Oil on Canvas – 24″ x 48″
Andrew Carrier
Oil on Canvas
24″ x 32″
MMF Minister & Vice-President
of the Winnipeg Metis Association
Deer hide was harvested by Carrier and then made
into this beautiful Métis jacket.
Charlotte Nolin
“Stands Strong Eagle Woman. A Two Spirit Grandmother”
Oil on Canvas
24″ x 32″
Charlotte has an incredible life story.
Due to the historic significance of this painting,
the Canadian Museum of History has acquired it for their
permanent collection. Nov 2024.
Youtube – Artifactuality by the Canadian Museum of History
Charlotte Nolin’s Portrait
Wpg Free Press Article – Lost and Found (Charlotte Nolin)
“Squirrely”
Shirley Delorme Russell
Oil on Canvas
24″ x 32″
A proud Métis woman from her mother – a Delorme and Ducharme from the heart of the Métis nation. She is a humble Anisinaabekwe from her father-who is from the land of the sleeping giant. Shirley is holding 3 books that affected her deeply as a Métis woman. April Rain Tree by Beatrice Culketon. A name for a Métis by Deborah Delaronde and Métis legacy by Lawrence Barkwell, Leah Dorian and Darren Prefontaine. Her sash was gifted to her when she graduated from university. Her earrings were purchased at a pow wow.
“Wally”
Henry Wallace LaVigne
Oil on Canvas
18″ x 24″
Born & raised in the north end of Winnipeg.
Elder & Traditional Healer
1997 – 2015 Executive Director – Cwenemgitel Aboriginal Society, Surrey BC
Presently working as a Traditional Healer for FRAFCA in Surrey, BC
JD Hawk
Oil on Canvas
24″ x 48″
“… It was the strangest feeling because on the one hand, I wanted to end my life, but on the other hand, I was completely at peace “
Chapter 22 – Conversations Over Coffee (Volume 1)
Norman Meade
Residential School Survivor – Elder – Pastor
Oil on Canvas – 10″ x 20″
Elder Linda St. Cyr-Saric
Oil Painting on Canvas
18″ x 24″
A proud Red River Metis Elder. Born and raised in St. Eustache, MB.
Blessed to be a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Member of the Seven Oaks Metis Council, Winnipeg Region.
Proudly wears the MMF’s sixties Scoop Survivors Sash
Holly Plouffe
Oil Painting on Canvas
18″ x 24″
May 2024 – Recipient of an award for Honouring Indigenous Achievements
Very active towards Metis recognition.
Having a dream to seeing it come alive – Treaty 1 flag and Metis flag poles standing along side the other flags at the University of Winnipeg.
She made the news by Publicly demonstrating (onTV) that a MMF government identification card was not being recognized as a valid form of identification.
Additional information
The individuals in these portraits where chosen based on the following criteria:
Metis citizens / six men & six women / known and respected by JD.
JD would like to thank the Manitoba Arts Council for assisting with this project
JD’s family …
“…intelligent for an Indian.”
From an old photograph
that was badly beaten and ripped.
Born in Onion Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan,
this young Métis child (4 or 5 years old) eventually
joined the Canadian Military.
His service record states “…intelligent for an Indian.”
(This is my grandfather)
(1913 – 1968)
Oil on Canvas
8″ x 10″
Portrait – Grandmother 1912
Oil on Canvas
8″ x 10″
was used as a reference.
Portrait – Mom (1951 – 2006)
Oil Painting on canvas,
14″ x 14″
Portrait – Armand J Paquette
Oil Painting on Canvas
14″ x 14
Born in 1930
Famous Metis Artist – Armand J. Paquette,
had made a name for himself way before I was born, and if you don’t recognize his name, I’ll bet you have seen his paintings because they are everywhere.
I decided it was time I painted his portrait for a couple reasons. The first being – back in 1973, he did a few caricatures of me being a little “mischievous”. (one of my aunts has the originals) Little did he know that one day I would grow up and paint his portrait. The second reason, he is my mother’s oldest brother.
You can find his work at:
1. Mayberry Fine Art Gallery – https://mayberryfineart.com/artists/armand_paquette
2. Google Images has tons of his paintings that you’ll recognize
Armand J. Paquette, 93yrs
Oil on Canvas
14″ x 14″
Early 2024, Uncle Armand sitting on the edge of his chair, and the edge
of his new art desk, working on a Metis Hunt painting idea.
May 7, 2024 – Visiting my Uncle Armand
My uncle was showing me a few sketches / ideas he had been working on one time.
This was a scene from his childhood when young boys would play in the back lane and throw pebbles at each other. As soon as the first kid got hit too hard and went home crying, they all knew they would be crying from their parents punishment soon enough.
“Give it a day or two and we’d be in the back lane again, picking up rocks”
He said I could take the drawing and do something with it.
I took a photo of the sketch and added some colour to it on my iPad. He was impressed to see how the iPad could be a useful tool for artists, and to see his sketch come to life.
