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Art Napoleon

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For the film director, see Art Napoleon (film director).
Art Napoleon
Also known as
  • Âciw
  • Sunchild
Born1961 (age 62–63)[1]
Moberly Lake, British Columbia
OriginMoberly Lake, British Columbia
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • actor
  • author
  • bush cook
  • activist
  • speaker
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • harmonica
  • hand-drums
Years active1995–present
LabelsSunchild Records
Websitehttps://thenapoleoncollective.wordpress.com/

Art Napoleon is a former chief of the Saulteau First Nation, from Victoria, British Columbia. He has used his television shows, music, and books to provide education on and increase awareness of Indigenous foods, languages, and cultures. He is co-host of the popular cooking show, "Moosemeat & Marmalade", and has appeared in other programs that promote and support Indigenous languages and cultures. Napoleon has also recorded several award-winning music albums.

Early life

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Art Napoleon was born in the Saulteau First Nation on Moberly Lake, British Columbia, in 1961.[2] His mother died when he was a baby. As such, he was raised by his grandparents, who taught him to speak Cree, hunt, and fish.[3] He credits his grandmother and aunt with teaching him how to cook.[4] Napoleon began working as a bush cook at the age of fifteen.[5] He attended the University of Victoria, where he graduated with a Masters of Arts degree in Indigenous Language Revitalization.[6]

Career

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Activism and politics

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Art Napoleon was a former Chief of the Saulteau First Nation (see West Moberly First Nations) and has been consulted as a cultural advisor for archeological findings in northeastern British Columbia.[7] Napoleon led an educational training camp on First Nations traditions that was facilitated by the Treaty 8 Tribal Association.[8]

Art Napoleon was a leading figure in the protests of the construction of the Site C dam, participating in the summit,[9] and signing a letter to "BC Hydro CEO Jessica McDonald, Premier Christy Clark and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau".[10] Napoleon helped organize the Rocky Mountain Fort protest camp.[11] Napoleon and other elders expressed the belief that Treaty 8 had been repeatedly undermined and that the dam was one of many examples.[12] At least three of the protestors participating in a road block were arrested.[13][14] Many of the protestors were sued by BC Hydro and were accused of "conspiracy, intimidation, trespassing, creating a public and a private nuisance, and intentionally interfering with economic relations by unlawful means", but Art Napoleon was not targeted, despite his involvement.[15]

Television career

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Art Napoleon was cast in the third season of the children's television show "Tiga Talks!", a program which served to improve children's language skills and introduce them to media in aboriginal languages.[16][17] During the filming of the show, Napoleon met Dan Hayes, who had been catering for the set.[6] Napoleon had been considering a comedy cooking show that would "juxtapose" his rustic "bush cooking" with the food preparation of a trained chef, and approached Hayes with his idea.[18]

As a result of their conversation, the first season of Moosemeat & Marmalade was filmed in 2015 and was funded by the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network,[19] the Bell Fund, the Canadian Media Fund, and the Government of Nunavut.[20] The show focused on the collaboration and competition between Art Napoleon with his traditional outdoors "bush cook" approach to cooking and co-host Dan Hayes' classically-trained British cooking style.[6] The show continued to be hosted on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, and Napoleon translated each episode into Cree.[2] Each episode of the show was set in a different community across Canada and the United Kingdom.[21] Most of the ingredients cooked in the show were obtained by the hosts through hunting, gathering, or fishing.[4] Napoleon regularly emphasized conservationism, food security and sustainability, and other ethical considerations of cooking,[22][23] and he has been noted as an important figure in the indigenous food sovereignty movement more broadly.[24][25] Seasons one and two focused on hunting and gathering whereas season three focused on river food, lake food, seafood, and fishing.[4] Season four focused on experimental foods.[26][20]

Music career

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Art Napoleon released his debut album, Outta the Woods in 1995. He released his second album, Miyôskamin in 2006;[27] it received playtime on CBC’s Galaxy Folk-Roots radio program and won two Aboriginal People’s Choice Awards.[3] Napoleon released his third album Mocikan: Songs for Learning Cree in 2008,[28] which was nominated for best children’s recording at the Western Canadian Music Awards.[3][29] His fourth album, Siskabush Tales was released later the same year[28] and received "best country album and best folk/acoustic album" at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.[30] Napoleon released a covers album in 2010 entitled Creeland Covers.[31][32]

Personal life

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Art Napoleon has two sons and four daughters. His son, Julian Napoleon, is a conservationist and caribou guardian.[2] His daughter, Niska Napoleon, has pursued a musical career and is outspoken on issues of domestic abuse.[33] His daughter, Quanah Style, has pursued a career in music, acting, and dancing and is outspoken on issues concerning transgender or two-spirit people and drag.[34][35] Both Niska and Quanah, along with their father, formed The Napoleon Collective, which released a self-titled album in 2012.[33]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2002 Cree for Kids Host Awarded the Telefilm-APTN award for best Aboriginal production at the Banff Television Festival[36]
2002 The New Canoe Himself / co-host Nominated for Best Performance or Host(s) in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series[citation needed]
2008-2011 Tiga Talk! Dad
2010-2013 Down2Earth Himself / co-host
2015-2019 Moosemeat & Marmalade: Food for Thought Himself / co-host Nominated for the 2015[37] and 2017[38] Best Documentary Series Leo Award

Published works

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Non-fiction

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  • The NESA Activities Handbook for Native and Multicultural Classrooms (2010), ReadHowYouWant.com ISBN 978-1-458-78301-1
  • Dancing Towards the Sky: David Meeko's Journey with AIDS (1998), Twin Sisters Publishers ISBN 978-0-969-65098-0

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • Outta the Woods (1995)
  • Miyôskamin (2006)
  • Mocikan: Songs for Learning Cree (2008)
  • Siskabush Tales (2008)
  • Creeland Covers (2010)

With the Napoleon Collective

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  • The Napoleon Collective (2012)

Radio shows

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Levin, Dan (October 29, 2016). "APTN, a TV Voice for Largely Ignored Indigenous Canadians (Published 2016)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Gilpin, Emilee (February 8, 2019). "'Moosemeat and Marmalade' bush man says he's ready for the apocalypse, are you?". National Observer. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Larue, Frank (September 30, 2010). "Art Napoleon Follows His Dream". First Nations Drum Newspaper. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c King, Wendy (January 13, 2018). "(Still) wild about cooking: Napoleon, Hayes back for more Moosemeat & Marmalade". Winnipeg Free Press. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  5. ^ Johnson, Gail (January 8, 2018). "Moosemeat & Marmalade takes two very different chefs on a journey exploring food, Indigenous culture, and more". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Peebles, Frank (April 6, 2019). "Odd couple sizzles on screen". Prince George Citizen. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  7. ^ Hume, Mark (September 11, 2015). "Researchers, First Nations search for clues inside remote cave in northeastern B.C." The Globe And Mail. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  8. ^ Ducklow, Zoë (July 19, 2016). "Culture camp teaches provincial staff about area First Nations". Dawson Creek Mirror. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  9. ^ Bell, Warren (February 9, 2018). "Site C Dam – still on life support as opposition continues". National Observer. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  10. ^ Wakefield, Jonny (January 25, 2016). "Site C campers want meeting with Trudeau". Alaska Highway News. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  11. ^ Wakefield, Jonny (January 7, 2016). "Site C protesters released, camp prepared for arrests". Alaska Highway News. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  12. ^ MacLeod, Andrew (May 3, 2018). "What's Wrong With Site C? Sarah Cox Has a List". The Tyee. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  13. ^ "Site C Dam Protesters Dig In And Prepare For Arrests At Historic Site In B.C." Darpan Magazine. The Canadian Press. January 7, 2016. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  14. ^ Drews, Keven. "B.C. Site C dam protesters dig in and prepare for arrest". Global News. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  15. ^ Cox, Sarah (February 26, 2018). "Silencing Opposition of the Site C Dam". Briarpatch Magazine. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  16. ^ Edmonds, Scott (December 25, 2010). "'Tiga Talk!' helps pre-schoolers develop language skills". CTV News. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  17. ^ "Tiga Talk! Aboriginal Language TV Show Returns With New Tools For Teaching". First Nation Drum. January 24, 2011. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  18. ^ Walton, Dan (October 26, 2016). "First Nations bush cook prepared moose meat this summer at Spirit Ridge resort in Osoyoos". Times Chronicle. Osoyoos Times. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  19. ^ Kilkenny, Carmel (December 27, 2017). "Moosemeat & Marmalade: third season returns". Radio Canada International. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Moosemeat & Marmalade Cooks Up New Flavours for its Season Four Premiere Airing on APTN on February 7th". Globe Newswire (Press release). Mooswa Films. January 21, 2019. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  21. ^ Walker, Connie; Deerchild, Rosanna; Johnson, Falen (January 19, 2018). "Cooking show Moosemeat & Marmalade celebrates cultural differences with food and humour". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  22. ^ Commanda, Erica (January 19, 2018). "Tasty Advice From Art Napoleon On Indigenous Food Sovereignty & Moosemeat & Marmalade". Muskrat Magazine. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  23. ^ "One day in Victoria: Moosemeat & Marmalade co-host Art Napoleon". Eat North. February 4, 2019. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  24. ^ Van Rosendaal, Julie (February 14, 2018). "Bannock and Saskatoon pie: Why Indigenous chefs are sharing their traditions – and why you should dig in". The Globe And Mail. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  25. ^ Johnson, Gail (August 8, 2018). "Vancouver's only Indigenous brunch now available downtown, with bannock, bison, boar, and more". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  26. ^ Commanda, Erica (March 20, 2019). "Art Napoleon Tries Bull Testicles, Barbecued Raccoon And The New Canadian Food Guide". Muskrat Magazine. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  27. ^ "Our Pick: CD took 10 years, but worth the wait". Ammsa. Windspeaker Publication. 2006. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  28. ^ a b Hawthorn, Tom (September 20, 2010). "Rock 'n' rolling off the mother tongue". The Globe And Mail. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  29. ^ "Late fiddler Oliver Schroer leads Canadian Folk Music nominations". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 8, 2008. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  30. ^ "Sweep for Buffy Sainte-Marie". The Hamilton Spectator. November 28, 2009. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  31. ^ Derdeyn, Stuart (September 27, 2010). "Art Napoleon: Creeland Covers (Art Napoleon)". The Province. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  32. ^ Monkman, Lenard (October 4, 2017). "Tom Petty song Wildflowers lives on in Cree language". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  33. ^ a b Peebles, Frank (June 15, 2016). "Singer draws on personal pain". Prince George Citizen. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  34. ^ Peebles, Frank (February 9, 2019). "Takla Trap House chosen as StoryHive finalist". Prince George Citizen. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  35. ^ Cram, Stephanie (May 24, 2019). "'I own it': Transgender drag queen Quanah Style on living her dream". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  36. ^ Lafortune, Renee (March 12, 2006). "Miyoskamin, the Long Awaited CD by Art Napoleon". Press Release Web. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  37. ^ Peebles, Frank (July 2, 2015). "P.G. names feature in award nominations". Prince George Citizen. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  38. ^ Peebles, Frank (April 6, 2019). "P.G.-filmed Hello Destroyer up for Leo awards". Prince George Citizen. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
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