Native American art in Canada

The First Peoples of North America, the Native Americans have their own distinct culture. This term is used by anthropologists to refer to the Indigenous peoples who once lived in the Americas. For those from Canada, the term "members of the" refers to... First Nations is much more appreciated. What can be said about this people? Origin, history, and art? Let's focus on the subject.

Like all ancient peoples of the world, Native Americans have their own unique history. While the details vary depending on the science and different studies, in any case, Native Americans remain a people rich in beliefs and traditions.

Based on genetic studies, we can conclude that Native Americans originated from peoples who came from central Siberia. Some paleoanthropologists claim that Native Americans reached their destination via the Bering Land Bridge. This land bridge existed more than 40,000 years ago and connected Siberia and North America. Furthermore, other hypotheses exist, most of which suggest that Alaska, America, and Patagonia were inhabited by humans approximately 10,000 years ago.

Over time, Native Americans formed groups, six to be precise. These groups were distinguished according to their geographic location:

• The First Nations of the forested regions : this part of the people occupied the dense boreal forest which is located in the east of the country.
• The Iroquois First Nations : who find refuge in the far south and who take advantage of several fertile lands for the cultivation of beans, corn or even squash.
• The Plains First Nations
• The First Nations of the Plateau : who benefit from a vast territory ranging from the semi-desert areas of the south to the dense forests and high mountains of the north. The First Nations of the Pacific coast: who had easy access to fishing areas and who could feed on seafood, salmon, etc.
• The First Nations of the river basins who had at their disposal hostile territories: arid lands, dark forests and swamps.

Also known as Indian art and First Nations art, Native American art celebrates the visual art of Indigenous peoples.

Currently, it is difficult to precisely trace the origins of all the different Native American motifs. Moreover, most of these elements were lost in antiquity. Furthermore, it can be observed that several of them originate from natural forms, while others simply stem from the development of linear and geometric patterns.

Some creations, however, were original works by individual artists. They resulted in various specific quests, notably the vision quest. This latter quest holds paramount importance for Native Americans. Indeed, many artists dedicated their works to it.

The artist plays a vital role in Native American art. While creating art wasn't considered a lifestyle in itself, anyone who excelled in their field was considered an artist. Furthermore, for Native Americans, artistic skills weren't seen as a vocation. However, they placed great importance on high-quality, well-executed work.

As in all other countries and cultures, the role of the Indigenous artist remains the same: to evoke emotion in the public. For First Nations, an artist's ability is measured by their knowledge of tradition and their original way of expressing it. Despite strict adherence to tradition, a certain freedom of expression is evident in art. In fact, some Indigenous people have brought about real changes in the art of their tribes, thanks to their talent. Over time, these individuals have been emulated by other artists.

It is important to note that the majority of Native American art objects were intended for everyday use. Examples include: patterned vessels for religious ceremonies, porcelain bowls for cooking and food preparation, and rawhide shields designed not only for protection but also to bestow strength upon the wearer (supernatural strength, speed, invulnerability, etc.). In all cases, the artist aimed not only to create practical and functional objects but also magical ones, essential to various religious practices.

The materials used in Native American art vary depending on the tribe and the artists' region. However, natural materials are the most prized and widely used. Since the goal is to celebrate their environment, it is therefore natural to use local materials specific to their territory. Among the most commonly used are clay, shells, stone, jade, turquoise, deer hair, and so on. Native Americans also used animal hides, branches, and tree bark. Furthermore, the treatment of materials varies depending on the artist and the objects being created.

Unlike Indigenous peoples in other regions, those in Canada have not left many traces of their presence. This is particularly true in terms of architectural ruins, such as those found among the peoples of Latin America. However, this does not mean that Indigenous peoples in Canada did not possess architectural monuments. Since most of these were built with perishable wood, they gradually disappeared over time. The same is true for their art. Indigenous peoples used perishable materials, which led to their destruction. Therefore, it is difficult, even for scholars, to analyze and draw conclusions about their creations. Nevertheless, the understanding of art remains the same for the First Nations of Canada.