Donald Chrétien

Donald Chretien, carver, carving, graphic arts and design, painter, painting, multidisciplinary, Indigenous Artist, First Nations, Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada, Pass The Feather

Donald Chrétien

Nipissing First Nation

My name is Donald Chrétien, my community is Nipissing First Nation. My work demonstrates my quest for artistic expression of my Indigenous identity, which encompasses issues of language, family, location, and self determination. My distinctive style is influenced by the Woodland style of art, common to community.

In 1985, I graduated from the Ontario College of Art and was selected to be part of the Aboriginal Art Acquisition Program for the 2010 Olympic Games.

I have been fortunate to collaborate with Elder, Basil Johnston, on a few projects such as the Grey Roots Museum exhibit Know Our Story Know Us, as well as illustrating Basil's last book, Walking in Balance.

In 2016, several of my original works were purchased from the Archives of Ontario. I sculpted the Reconciliation Tree for the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Currently, I work between teaching through the Ontario Aboriginal Artist's in the school's program offered by the Ontario Arts Council as well as continuing my path painting in my studio in Newmarket.