For Saulteaux artist Robert Houle, art has always been political.

From the Indian Act to the Oka Crisis and more, Houle has spent his career using his art to address the injustices facing Indigenous communities. Host Shelby Lisk explores how Houle’s artwork emphasizes the importance of Land as a spiritual and political legacy for Indigenous peoples. She speaks with Shirley Madill, executive director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, and author of ‘Robert Houle: Life & Work.’

This episode mentions residential schools. The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience. 1-800-721-0066. Please take care while listening.

To view the art referenced in this episode:https://www.tvo.org/article/the-art-of-sovereignty

Robert Houle: Life and Work by Shirley Madill: https://www.aci-iac.ca/art-books/robert-houle/

To listen to the full 2015 interview with Robert Houle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNdigmKB7So

Credits:

Oka Crisis: How It Started - The National/CBC/youtube.com 

Robert Houle, visual artist and 2015 Canada Council laureate - Derreck Roemer/The Canada Council for the Arts/youtube.com  

Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.

Donate to TVO: http://tvo.org/give

For Saulteaux artist Robert Houle, art has always been political.
From the Indian Act to the Oka Crisis and more, Houle has spent his career using his art to address the injustices facing Indigenous communities. Host Shelby Lisk explores how Houle’s artwork emphasizes the importance of Land as a spiritual and political legacy for Indigenous peoples. She speaks with Shirley Madill, executive director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, and author of ‘Robert Houle: Life &amp; Work.’
This episode mentions residential schools. The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience. 1-800-721-0066. Please take care while listening.
To view the art referenced in this episode: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/article/the-art-of-sovereignty">https://www.tvo.org/article/the-art-of-sovereignty</a>
Robert Houle: Life and Work by Shirley Madill: <a href="https://www.aci-iac.ca/art-books/robert-houle/">https://www.aci-iac.ca/art-books/robert-houle/</a>
To listen to the full 2015 interview with Robert Houle: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNdigmKB7So">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNdigmKB7So</a>
Credits:
Oka Crisis: How It Started - The National/CBC/youtube.com 
Robert Houle, visual artist and 2015 Canada Council laureate - Derreck Roemer/The Canada Council for the Arts/youtube.com  
Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust &amp; Goldie Feldman.
Donate to TVO: <a href="http://tvo.org/give">http://tvo.org/give</a>

Our stories define who we are.

When Indigenous cultures were outlawed across Canada, our voices were silenced.

When our stories went underground to survive, others tried to define us. 

But it was our artists who brought our stories back for the world to see and hear.

Join hosts Chris Beaver and Shelby Lisk as they explore the lives of eight First Nations artists whose art reclaims our voices and identities in a country that tried to silence them. 

Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust & Goldie Feldman.

Our stories define who we are. When Indigenous cultures were outlawed across Canada, our voices were silenced. When our stories went underground to survive, others tried to define us. But it was our artists who brought our stories back for the world to see and hear. Join hosts Chris Beaver and Shelby Lisk as they explore the lives of eight First Nations artists whose art reclaims our voices and identities in a country that tried to silence them. 
Ontario Hubs are made possible by the Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust &amp; Goldie Feldman.

Join hosts Chris Beaver and Shelby Lisk as they bring us the stories of eight First Nations artists who changed the way we see Indigenous art; moving it from artifact to art and out of the museums and into galleries.

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