Kokum and nosism. Grandmother and granddaughter. Pearleen Kanewapasikot is a tireless educator, Cree Language teacher, and keeper of cultural traditions.
This was painted when Pearleen was the principal of Elsie Fabian School, Fort Mckay, Alberta. Originally from Little Pine First Nation Saskatchewan, her maternal lineage is the Tootoosis family. Her late mother Kate, was eldest daughter of the eldest Tootoosis sibling Adam. Adam was an uncle to the late Gordon Tootoosis’ father.
Angeleah Bugler is Pearleen’s granddaughter and powwow princess! She attends St. Francis Cree bilingual school and reigns from Sweetgrass First Nation. Her lineage is also Blackfoot, paternal lineage from the Blood tribe (aka Kainai). She is the great, great, granddaughter of the late Phillip Favel.
Pearleen and I were housemates and enjoyed an awesome road trip through Arizona and California with Angeleah and my daughter, Cimone, who are around the same age and good friends.
Cheryl was honoured to auction this painting alongside a painting by the late, great Allen Sapp at the Winds of Change Reconciliation Gala 2023.
“The Nutrien Saskatoon Community Foundation Cultural Gala “Walk with the Wind” at TCU Place on Saturday, September 24, 2022. It will be the last installment of the four-part event series gathering Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alongside residential school and sixties scoop survivors to walk together with the winds of change. Come witness the talent of many Saskatchewan artists, including dancers, spoken word artists, musicians, painters (and much more) in support of reconciliation.” The Nutrien Saskatoon Community Foundation