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Morrisseau's Thunderbird
29 August 2003
Red Lake, Northwestern Ontario, Canada

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There are even celebrity figures in the Native community in this area, none more famous than Norval Morrisseau.

In 1959, Norval, a young Ojibway man from Beardmore, Ontario, came to Red Lake to work in the gold mines. A self-taught artist with a grade three education, he began interpreting the legends of his people through his paintings.

“My aim is to reassemble the pieces of a once proud culture and to show the dignity and bravery of my people. The time has come for us all to write and to record the story of our people; not only for ourselves, but for our white brothers so that they will be able to understand and respect us,” Norval wrote.

He has experienced unprecedented fame as the founder of the Woodland Art movement. Red Lake was the launching pad for the artist, as well as the place from which he drew inspiration for his work - from the landscape and rock paintings surrounding the area.

Today, Norval is recognized as one of the most important Aboriginal artists of the century. Originals of his early works can be found in many homes in the area.