Talking Circle

Ruth Cuthand’s career as a visual artist, educator, and community advocate for women and BIPOC communities has impacted the Canadian cultural landscape in a multitude of ways. Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Cuthand began her education at the University of Regina in 1977, and later transferred to the University of Saskatchewan, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1983. She later pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Montana in 1985 before returning to the University of Saskatchewan to complete a Master of Fine Arts in 1992. Cuthand has been instrumental to the development of an experimental and expansive Indigenous art practice grounded in critically relevant subject matter. Cuthand taught as a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and the First Nations University of Canada (Saskatoon campus). In 2011, her work was the subject of the mid-career survey, Ruth Cuthand: Back Talk (1983-2009), curated by Jen Budney for the Mendel Art Gallery (Remai Modern) in Saskatoon. Her work is represented in major collections across Canada, including the National Gallery of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, MacKenzie Art Gallery, and University of Saskatchewan Art Collection. Acknowledging her artmaking as well as her strategic mentorship, teaching, and community engagement, Cuthand’s honours include a Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Artist Award (2013); University of Saskatchewan Arts & Science Alumni of Influence Award (2016); Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts (2020); Governor General’s Artistic Achievement Award (2023); and the Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship (2023). Cuthand currently lives and works in Saskatoon.

My name is Dr. Shauneen Pete. I am from Little Pine First Nation (Treaty 6 territory) under the patriarchal and colonial Indian Act System. I am equally from Cowessess First Nation (Treaty 4 territory) on my maternal side. I am the oldest daughter of Eileen (Agecoutay) and the late Jacob Pete. I am a professor and university administrator. I am a mother and grandmother. I live in Victoria, BC.

Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway is a multi-hyphenate, place-based Buffalo artist. She is a fashion and textile designer, visual artist, beader, storyteller and co-founder of the Buffalo People Arts Institute. She is Nakota/Cree/Saulteaux from the White Bear First Nations – signatory to Treaty 4. She has degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Calgary and Mathematics from the First Nations University of Canada. She graduated in May 2024 with her Master of Fine Arts from the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She loves to incorporate mathematics and geometry in her artwork and is inspired by the perfect symmetry in nature. Her mantra envelopes everything Tatanga (Buffalo) as it connects her to ancestral memories, the land and is the manifestational glue that keeps her world together.