Art Napoleon facts for kids

Art Napoleon is a talented artist, activist, and former chief of the Saulteau First Nation in British Columbia. He uses his television shows, music, and books to teach people about Indigenous foods, languages, and cultures. He is well-known as the co-host of the cooking show "Moosemeat & Marmalade". Art Napoleon has also created award-winning music albums.

Early Life

Art Napoleon was born in 1961 in the Saulteau First Nation, near Moberly Lake, British Columbia. His mother passed away when he was a baby. So, his grandparents raised him. They taught him to speak Cree, and how to hunt and fish. He learned to cook from his grandmother and aunt.

Art started working as a "bush cook" when he was just fifteen years old. Later, he went to the University of Victoria. He earned a Masters of Arts degree in Indigenous Language Revitalization. This means he studied how to help bring back and strengthen Indigenous languages.

Career

Activism and Community Work

Art Napoleon was once the Chief of the Saulteau First Nation. He often shares his knowledge as a cultural advisor. For example, he helps with archaeological discoveries in northeastern British Columbia. He also led a training camp about First Nations traditions. This camp was supported by the Treaty 8 Tribal Association.

Art Napoleon was a strong voice in the protests against the Site C dam. He believed the dam would harm Indigenous lands and ways of life. He helped organize the Rocky Mountain Fort protest camp. Art and other elders felt that Treaty 8, an important agreement, was not being respected. They saw the dam as one example of this.

Television Shows

Art Napoleon appeared in the children's TV show "Tiga Talks!". This show helped kids improve their language skills. It also introduced them to media in Indigenous languages. While filming, Art met Dan Hayes, who was catering for the show. Art had an idea for a fun cooking show. It would mix his traditional "bush cooking" with a trained chef's style. He shared this idea with Dan.

This led to the show Moosemeat & Marmalade. The first season was filmed in 2015. The show features Art Napoleon's traditional outdoor cooking. It also shows co-host Dan Hayes' British cooking style. They often have friendly cooking challenges. The show is on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. Art even translates each episode into Cree.

Each episode takes place in a different community. These communities are across Canada and the United Kingdom. Art and Dan often get their ingredients by hunting, gathering, or fishing. Art always talks about protecting nature and getting food in a fair way. He is an important person in the Indigenous food sovereignty movement. This movement is about Indigenous communities controlling their own food systems.

Music Career

Art Napoleon has released several music albums. His first album, Outta the Woods, came out in 1995. His second album, Miyôskamin (2006), won two Aboriginal People’s Choice Awards. In 2008, he released Mocikan: Songs for Learning Cree. This album was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award.

Later in 2008, he released Siskabush Tales. This album won awards for best country album and best folk/acoustic album. In 2010, he released Creeland Covers, which featured his versions of popular songs.

Personal Life

Art Napoleon has two sons and four daughters. His son, Julian Napoleon, works to protect nature. He is a caribou guardian. His daughter, Niska Napoleon, is also a musician. His daughter, Quanah Style, has a career in music, acting, and dancing. She also advocates for her community.

Niska and Quanah, along with their father, formed a music group called The Napoleon Collective. They released their self-titled album in 2012.

Filmography

Published Works

Non-fiction

• The NESA Activities Handbook for Native and Multicultural Classrooms (2010)
• Dancing Towards the Sky: David Meeko's Journey with AIDS (1998)

Discography

Studio albums

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

With the Napoleon Collective

• The Napoleon Collective (2012)

Radio shows

• The Dead Dog Café Comedy Hour (1997-2000)

See Also

• Cree
• Site C dam
• Indigenous music of North America
• Indigenous music of Canada
• List of people from British Columbia