(Rachel May/northeastNOW Staff)

By Ben Tompkins

Jerry Whitehead

City of Melfort showcasing James Smith Cree Nation artist

Sep 6, 2023 | 8:56 AM

A James Smith Cree Nation artist and his paintings are being featured in an exhibit this month, courtesy of the City of Melfort.

For the entirety of September, Jerry Whitehead’s work will be displayed at the Sherven-Smith Art Gallery in the Kerry Vickar Centre.

“Jerry [Whitehead] is another example of the creativity and talent that exists in Saskatchewan,” said Northern Lights Gallery owner Sandra Dancey (who helped bring Whitehead’s art to town).

“His work is renowned in many parts of the country so it’s exciting to have a showing of his work in Melfort, especially this time of year. We want James Smith families to know we’re thinking of them.”

Reconciliation Melfort also played a part in bringing the paintings to Melfort, as well as recently getting the city to proclaim September as truth and reconciliation month.

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The exhibit’s opening (which happened last Friday, Sept. 1) coincides with the anniversary of the tragic killings at the James Smith Cree Nation, while also serving as a lead-up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.

“I think the intention behind having Jerry at the gallery is just starting to try and include some indigenous artwork within our community fabric, so it’s a bit more regular, as opposed to just a simple special occasion,” explained Rob Lok, director of community services.

“Certainly noting the anniversary of the tragedy from last year, as well as the month of September being Truth and Reconciliation month, I think it’s just really important… displaying artwork is a form of responding to the calls to action.”

Whitehead is a nationally celebrated Cree artist, known for his rich surreal powwow scenes, vivid depiction of family, and ceremony.

The exhibit includes a 60” x 120” painting titled My Boys Are OK from 2015, as well as Recollections and The Direction I am Heading which according to the city are more reflective of Jerry’s current abstract work.

(Rachel May/northeastNOW)

“I find it’s gonna connect communities together,” Whitehead told northeastNOW. “I never thought I’d be doing this stuff as I was growing up, because they never had anything like this before, Native artists coming in and trying to do all these things.”

“[The tragedy] it was really emotional, a lot of those people I knew. Some I didn’t grow up with because I was away for so long, but we’re all related, so whatever happens to one family it happens to all of us,” he added.

Whitehead, a member of the Peter Chapman Band within James Smith Cree Nation, now currently resides in Vancouver, B.C.

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