Blue Sky Bio
Born in the Qu’appelle Valley in Saskatchewan, I was given the name
Blue Sky by my moshum (grandfather).
I am part of the Cree nation and
member of Kahkewistahaw First Nation!
I did not grow up knowing anything about my Native Heritage. It was
only after learning about the 60's scoop and the residential schools
that I felt a responsibility to learn more about who I am and where I
came from. Turns out my family had spent generations
in residential school and it had taken a horrible toll. As a result, I
wanted to help build and encourage the next generations in their
cultural heritage through art. So later in life I took up painting and
creating Native art.
I found Norval Morrisseau’s work
to be just the right inspiration I love to paint traditional stories
with meaning and mystery. I try to paint plants and animals that would
be found on traditional regalia. My goal is to learn and pass on, to lift
and give hope and pride to a culture that
has been persecuted and nearly extinguished. We live in a time where
truly I believe the tide is changing, so together we can move forward and
find true reconciliation and a common ground to excel together on Turtle Island
James Groening
Blue Sky
Kisik Pisahok in Cree
Gallery
Click on images
Larger images are below
© Copyright Gender Studies