“April Mercredi” Episode 16 (2007, 24 minutes)

Born to a Chinese father and a Cree-French mother in Alberta, April Mercredi grew up at Rocky Mountain House. She began painting in her 60s and uses natural elements like feathers, rocks and sticks in her artwork, while drawing on Aboriginal imagery and experiences as a former life skills coach.

This 26-part series of half-hour documentaries presents the work and thoughts of a diverse group of Aboriginal artists. Twenty-four of them are Canadian--from British Columbia, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Ontario; the other two are American--a painter from Montana and a glass blower from Seattle. By definition, artists are people who live on the edge, and Aboriginal artists have had a tougher journey than most.
The stories in this series are from artists who would not quit, even in the face of adversity and who have made a difference to both their communities and to the world of contemporary art.

Directed by: Raymond Yakeleya, Bill Stewart
Produced by: Raymond Yakeleya, Bill Stewart, Earth Magic Media

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