Last year Michael Lonechild, a talented Cree painter from White Bear First Nation participated in an art education program in association with the Treaty 4 Student Success Program (T4SSP) and Southeast Cornerstone School Division.
Working for the past three years in the Treaty-Four territory, Lonechild has shared his love of art with many youth.
A number of paintings were chosen last year to be put on display in Fort Qu'Appelle at the T4SSP gallery and have since gone on to hang, for the month of May, at the Cumberland Gallery in Regina at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building, beside Lonechild's own pieces.
Locally students from Carlyle, Arcola, White Bear, Stoughton, and Ocean Man have paintings hanging in the Cumberland Gallery.
From Carlyle the talented youth include Karrah Pasap, Kaleb Maxie, Johny Whitebear, Madison Riddell, Faith Nelson, Joyce Whitebear, and Kate Reiss.
Ten students from White Bear had works chosen including Brayden Pinacie-Littlechief, Matthew Fiddler, Jeremy Whitebear, Jonah Graham, Cassidy Kinisto, Daniel Graham, Tynell Maxie, Calista Assiniboine, Justice Shepherd, and Sharissa Delorme.
Six Stoughton youth have their paintings alongside Lonechild's in Regina. These students are Taylor Ksenych, Billy Goudy, Janelle Breault, Reid Folk, Jenna Campbell, and Rayne Katay.
From Ocean Man First Nation, Prairie LoneThunder and Angel Lonechild's artwork was chosen.
Arcola students Kaylee Dixon, Serenity Obey, Ny-Al Macdonald, and Melissa Ellis were also among those whose works were picked to hang in the Cumberland Gallery.
Many of the students attended a special ceremony unveiling the artworks at the gallery on Thursday, May 9. They were able to see their paintings hanging in the gallery and visit with Lonechild again, which students at Carlyle Elementary School explained were their favourite parts.
Madison Riddell of Carlyle explained the overall experience from being able to paint with Lonechild to being able to see her artwork on display with a respected artist's was a fantastic experience.
"I thought it was really cool that a famous artist painted with us," Riddell stated.
Principal of Carlyle Elementary School, Shelley Sargent explained that the students thoroughly enjoyed their time learning from Lonechild.
"It was an opportunity to learn from somebody who, that's their passion," Sargent said. "The whole process when I poked my head into the room, the students were so engaged and enjoyed it. It gave an opportunity for different students to excel and showcase their talents as well."
The students' artwork will be in the Cumberland Gallery until May 31st. Located at 2405 Legislative Drive, Regina, it is a wonderful showcase of student talent and culture.
