Daphne Odjig is one of Canada’s most celebrated and distinctive painters. She was a self-taught artist who began her artistic career in her youth, and had the talent – and tenacity – to represent history from the viewpoint of an aboriginal heritage.

Ms. Odjig’s vivid paintings are in every major collection in Canada, as well as collections in the United States and throughout Europe. The National Gallery has taken over the lead on preparation of catalogue for a retrospective of Ms. Odjig’s paintings. The show will open in Sudbury because it is the closest gallery to Manitoulin Island where she grew up. A National Gallery organizing tour will follow.

In 2005, the Kamloops Art Gallery organized an exhibition of her art called ‘Daphne Odjig: Four Decades of Prints,’ which is touring to major galleries across Canada, and was photographed for publication about her art. She received the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts in March 2007.

Ms. Odjig, who lived in British Columbia for more than half of her life, was recognized nationally with the Order of Canada, the Aboriginal Achievement Award, and four honourary doctorates from Canadian universities. Ms. Odjig received her 5th honourary doctorate on June 8, 2007 from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.

Through her many successes, Ms. Odjig continued to serve as an inspiration and role model for young First Nations people and moved to British Columbia in 1945.