Quebec Artist, Ernest Dominique

"It will be a live-in art school. And it won't just be painting. There will be wood, ceramic, embroidery and other traditional forms." Quebec artist Ernest Dominique

And this outstanding Innu artist who has established his exclusive art studio in Uashat, an Innu reserve near Sept Iles, Quebec, is prepared to enthuse and stimulate and teach other First Nations, particularly youth who aspire to become artists, with a touch of his own creative genius. He is so convinced that he will be capable of producing a new generation of First Nations artists that he has invested hugely in this enterprise.

He and his wife are providing $308,000 of the projected $465,000 cost of building an art colony workshop beside his home. Where a gallery for his paintings already exists. Now there will also be an art school, with a classroom and rooms for up to seven live-in students. In fact, the establishment set-up is reminiscent of a long tradition of masters and apprentices learning their craft then going out into the world to practise it.

The remainder of the money for the art school project comes from the local band council, the federal and provincial governments and mining companies Rio Tinto and Cliffs, each donating $15,000 to the winning enterprise. Mr. Dominique knows what it's like to grow up in a condition of poverty. "We had no running water or flush toilets (and) the windows were covered with ice in winter. The only things we had to play with were the crayons I took."

"I know what it's like to live in a family with alcoholism and violence (and) to have to deal with poverty and racism. But I also know that art gives you hope (and) can be great therapy." His natural affinity for art stems from a long Innu tradition of art, deeply engrained in the culture. His underprivileged background alienated him from society, since experiencing racism made him feel "inferior".

But he surmounted all the obstacles that life threw in his path, despite becoming alcholic. He turned his life back on a solid footing when he fell in love with a woman who later became his wife. And then he began painting again, seriously. Painting authentic pictures of Innu in traditional dress, and painting eagles, wolves and caribou, brought his creative skills to the attention of the art-appreciating outside world.

His paintings hung in private galleries and began to sell well. He took part in many international art shows. Private art galleries in Quebec City, Montreal and Calgary were anxious to acquire his paintings. He no longer shows his paintings at other galleries now, however, using his own gallery in Uashat exclusively for that purpose. Purchasers of his art come to him.

He cites, as successful role models for First Nations youth, groups like Kashtin. Their music set peoples' appreciation on fire for their unique and beautiful style of musical expression fusing traditional sounds with a new aesthetic. And he is proud to think of himself too, as being capable of helping First Nations youth to aspire and to feel pride in themselves.

"It's a big responsibility that I take very seriously", he said. "I want to do everything I can to help our people." More power to this talented man.