LOST MY TALK

(Featured Artwork)

By Lana Whiskeyjack

Mixed-Media Triptych / 2016-2017

Dimensions: H 24” W 30” D 5”

Description: A representation of Lana’s late uncle, George, much loved and remembered for the good and sad memories he left behind. A reflection of the intergenerational silences learned from the Indian Residential School legacy and an effort to break those silences through the recovery of language, tradition, and cultural identity.
Side panel I: George’s maternal Grandfather, Mamistahp, who hid traditional ceremonies, songs and stories underground in Saddle Lake when ceremonies were outlawed. Since George was his first grandson, George learned many of the traditions, traditions he felt he couldn’t speak about because of his addictions.
Centre panel: a reflection of the life of Uncle George
Side panel II: Young George after leaving Blue Quills Indian Residential School

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Lost My Talk” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

 


THREE GENERATIONS #3

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS / 2015

Dimensions: H 20” W 16” D 1.5”

Description: An exploration of three generations of the womb interconnections of trauma and resilience.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Three Generations #3” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

FAMILY PORTRAIT

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS / 2017

Dimensions: H 16″ W 20” D 1.5”

Description: Father and mother of George with their three sons, including George and his two brothers, Morris (sitting on mother’s lap) and Lazare (baby).

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Family Portrait” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

NOKUM (GRANDMOTHER) CAROLINE

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

OIL ON CANVAS / 2009

Dimensions: H 20” W 16” D 1.5”

Description: Mother of George, matriarch and rock of her Whiskeyjack clan.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Nokum” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

NOHTAWIY BEN

by Lana Whiskeyjack

Acrylic on Canvas / 2018

Dimensions: H 16” W 20” D 1.5”

Description: The father of George, who was greatly affected by attending Blue Quills Indian Residential School. He became an alcoholic and would sometimes cry or swear the names of his tormentors. One I recall as “F#@*ing Duck”, who I later found out was a very large white man with a thick accent who “disciplined” the boys in the school. “Duck” was his nickname.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Nohtawiy Ben” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

BAR BRAWL

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

MIXED MEDIA / 2015

Dimensions: H 12″ W 12″ D 4″

Description: Uncle George spent a lot of time in the bars, listening to country music and getting into good fights.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Bar Brawl” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

COSMETIC CREE

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS / 2013

Dimensions: H 24” W 40” D 1”

Description: My uncle George taught me how to throw punches and knives, which were important lessons for building confidence in a Cree girl who often felt scared of the outside world, a world where he lived on the streets and encountered a lot of violence.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Cosmetic Cree” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

WAPAMEW (LOOK)

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS / 2018

Dimensions: H 24” W 8” D 1.5”

Description: A grandfather’s teaching to observe: look before speaking, acting or judging.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Wapamew (Look)” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

OUT OF JAIL

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS / 2018

Dimensions: H 20” W 16” D 1.5”

Description: George when he came out of Jail.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Out of Jail” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

CHICKWEED MEDICINE

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS / 2017

Dimensions: H 16” W 20” D 1.5”

Description: Uncle George always wore his beloved cowboy boots. In fact he was buried with them. There is an old Cree story that talks about chickweed as a protective medicine for the children.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Chickweed Medicine” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

CAPAN (GRANDFATHER) JOSHUA

By Lana Whiskeyjack

Oil on canvas / 2011

Dimensions: H 20″ W 16” D 1.5”

Description: Paternal grandfather to George, an original Horse Whisperer and cowboy who influenced George’s love of horses and adventure.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Capan” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

MEDICINE MISTATIM (HORSE) 2

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS / 2017

Dimensions: H 48” W 16” D 1.5”

Description: Horses were, and continue to be, a culturally and spiritually important part of the life of the Whiskeyjack family. George loved his horses. When he returned home to the Reserve, he often went for long horse rides by himself to get grounded.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Medicine mistatim (horse) #2” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

KAHKAHKOW (CROWS)

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS / 2017

Dimensions: H 16” W 20” D 1.5”

Description: Crows are tricksters known for their intelligence and curiosity. They are messengers who like shiny trinkets. The painting reflects the juxtaposing ideas of spirituality and religion.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Kahkahkow (Crows)” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

GOVERNING RELATIONS

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS / 2018

Dimensions: H 20” W 16” D 1.5”

Description: The provinces have greatly benefited from the resources of Indigenous people’s traditional lands. Since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission began its work, some provinces in Canada have begun to acknowledge the Treaty lands they continue to benefit from.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Governing Relations” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

 

PARLIAMENTAL HEALING

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS / 2018

Dimensions: H 16” W 20” D 1.5”

Description: The Parliament is where the Indian Act was passed, amongst many other Bills that became Laws that systematically fragmented and destroyed so many Indigenous people, their families, communities and Nations. This painting is about the prayers of healing for change and reconciliation. It is about spiritual truth.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Parliamental Healing” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt

 

 

THREE GENERATIONS 4

BY LANA WHISKEYJACK

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS / 2017

Dimensions: H 40” W 30” D 1.5”

Description: An exploration of three generations of the womb interconnections of trauma and resilience.

 

“© Copyright for this photographic representation of “Three Generations 4” (2019) is owned by Lana Whiskeyjack. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution of this image, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Lippiatt