Allen Sapp (January 2, 1928 – December 29, 2015) was a Canadian Cree painter, who resided in

North Battleford North Battleford is a city in west-central Saskatchewan, Canada. It is the seventh largest city in the province and is directly across the North Saskatchewan River from the Town of Battleford. Together, the two communities are known as "The Batt ...

Saskatchewan Saskatchewan ( ; ) is a province in western Canada, bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, to the northeast by Nunavut, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dak ...

. His art and his story have become known throughout Canada. His paintings tell a personal story, and many feature images of his grandmother. His work and life story have been the subject of a number of books and television documentaries.

Early life

Sapp was born on the Red Pheasant Reserve, south of the city of North Battleford. His mother suffered from tuberculosis and died during his adolescence. Sapp was raised by his maternal grandmother and grandfather, Albert and Maggie Soonias. As a child he was often ill and spent long hours in bed.University of Saskatchewan. Indian and Northern Curriculum Resources Centre.
Indian, Metis and Eskimo Leaders in Contemporary Canada
'. Indian and Northern Curriculum Resources Centre, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan; 1972*. His grandmother nurtured him and encouraged his love of drawing, while teaching him in the Cree ways. He attended the Red Pheasant school, but his grandfather removed him from the school because he needed him on the farm. Sapp remained at home and cared for his grandmother until she died in 1963.

Career

After her death, Sapp moved to North Battleford to try to make a living as an artist, selling paintings door to door. In 1966 he met Dr. Allan Gonor, who recognized Sapp's talent and encouraged him to paint what he knew—life on the reserve. Sapp began to paint his childhood memories, often staying up all night painting. Gonor helped him to sell several paintings to the Winnipeg Art Gallery. In 1969, 40 of his paintings were displayed in an exhibition at the Robertson Galleries. By the 1970s, his work was known across North America and as far away as London, England. In 1986, he was made an Officer of the

Order of Canada The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the cen ...

"for his portrayals of Native peoples and of life on the reserve". In 1985, he was awarded the

Saskatchewan Order of Merit The Saskatchewan Order of Merit (french: Ordre du Mérite de la Saskatchewan) is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Instituted in 1985 by Lieutenant Governor Frederick Johnson, on the advice of the Cabinet u ...

.Andrea Hill
"Brushed Off: Documents suggest Sapp felt taken advantage of"
''Star-Phoenix'', September 28, 2017. In 1975, he was elected to the

Royal Canadian Academy of Arts The Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA) is a Canadian arts-related organization that was founded in 1880. History 1880 to 1890 The title of Royal Canadian Academy of Arts was received from Queen Victoria on 16 July 1880. The Governor General ...

. In spite of his artistic success, Sapp's lack of education and disinterest in practical matters led to difficulties in managing his finances. He and his wife continued to live in a small home near North Battleford. He died in his sleep on December 29, 2015. His paintings illustrate the award-winning ''Nokum: is My Teacher'' by David Bouchard with music by the drum group

Northern Cree Northern Cree, also known as the Northern Cree Singers, is a powwow and Round Dance drum and singing group, based in Maskwacis, Bouchard, David (2006). ''Nokum Is My Teacher'', Postface. Illustrated by Allen Sapp. Music by Northern Cree. Red ...

. The 2003 book by David Bouchard, 'The Song within my Heart'', Illustrated by Sapp, tells the story of Sapp's childhood. In 2003, he received the Governor General's Award for English language children's illustration for the book, ''

The Song Within My Heart ''The Song within my Heart by Dave Bouchard'' is a children's picture book by David Bouchard with illustrations by Allen Sapp. It was first published in 2002 by Raincoast Books. A story about a young Cree boy, it is based on the memories of the ...

''.
The Book Review Digest: Annual cumulation
'. H. W. Wilson Company; 2005. p. 140–141. In North Battleford, a gallery has been created to display Sapp's paintings.Wayne F. Brown.
Sam Steele and the Northwest Rebellion: The Trail of 1885
'. Heritage House; 15 May 2013. . p. 133–.

References

;Other sources * Alwin Gallery (London)
''The Cree Indian painter, Allen Sapp; first one-man exhibition in Europe''
(London : Alwin Gallery, 1970) * Allen Sapp Gallery (North Battleford, Saskatchewan) * Allen Sapp Gallery Site-About Life and Ar

External links

*
Allen Sapp
in ''

The Canadian Encyclopedia ''The Canadian Encyclopedia'' (TCE; french: L'Encyclopédie canadienne) is the national encyclopedia of Canada, published online by the Toronto-based historical organization Historica Canada, with the support of Canadian Heritage. Available f ...

''
Canada House Gallery Banff

West End Gallery, Edmonton, AB
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sapp, Allen 1928 births First Nations painters Cree people Canadian children's book illustrators Governor General's Award-winning children's illustrators Members of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts Officers of the Order of Canada People from North Battleford 2015 deaths Indspire Awards Red Pheasant Cree Nation