Born in 1919, Daphne Odjig is one of Canada’s most important artists who led the way in redefining our perceptions of First Nations art from her beginnings in the 1960’s to present day. The only woman in the “Indian Group of Seven”, she pioneered the native art movement with artists Norval Morrisseau, Alex Janvier, Carl Ray and others.
Daphne Odjig has been extensively awarded, receiving seven honourary degrees, the National Aboriginal Achievement Award, the Order of British Columbia and both the Order of Canada and the Governor General’s Laureate, Visual and Media Arts, Canada’s highest honour in the field of visual arts. Daphne’s exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada was first of its kind by a First Nation woman artist. Recently, Canada Post celebrated Daphne Odjig’s contribution to Canadian art with a series of stamps featuring her artwork.