Daphne Odjig, Canadian First Nations artist, Died 97

  Artists

Daphne Odjig was born on September 11, 1919, and died on October 1, 2016.

She was a Canadian First Nations artist of Odawa-Potawatomi-English heritage.

Odjig’s painting is often characterized as Woodlands Style.

Odjig was the driving force behind the Indian Group of Seven and the Professional Native Indian Artists Association, two groups considered pioneers in bringing First Nations art to the forefront of Canada’s art world.

Odjig received a number of awards for her work, including the Order of Canada, the Governor General’s Award and five honorary doctorates.

She met Paul Somerville while she was working in Toronto, and they married and moved to British Columbia together.

They had two sons together.

Her husband died in a car accident, and in 1962 Odjig married Chester Beavon, a community development worker for the Department of Native Affairs, and the family moved to Manitoba.

Even though suffering from arthritis in her right hand, she continued to sketch during her later years.

Daphne Odjig passed away at 97 years old.