Don Ningewance

Don Ningewance was born on June 24, 1948, on the Lac Seul First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. Growing up in a remote environment, he spent his early years observing traditional Anishinaabe practices such as hunting and fishing. Before pursuing art professionally, Ningewance served as the Band Administrator for the Lac Seul First Nation from 1970 to 1982. He eventually resigned from this administrative role to dedicate himself to painting on a full-time basis.

A self-taught artist, Ningewance developed a style rooted in realism that captures the wildlife and landscapes of the Canadian Shield. While he occasionally works with oils and watercolours, his primary medium is acrylic on canvas. His compositions frequently document the boreal forests and water systems of the Sioux Lookout region, with a particular focus on the seasonal shifts of light and texture. In addition to his representational landscapes, he has also produced works that illustrate the traditional legends and cultural history of the Ojibwe people.

The professional career of Don Ningewance includes several significant institutional commissions and exhibitions. In the mid-1980s, he was commissioned by Ducks Unlimited to produce waterfowl studies for their national print program. In 1992, he collaborated with the Bradford Exchange to design a series of porcelain plates featuring images of wolves. His work has been the subject of multiple exhibitions at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, including group shows in 1986, 2001, and 2003.

The artwork of Don Ningewance is represented in various public and governmental collections across Canada. His paintings are held in the permanent collection of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. Furthermore, his works are included in the institutional holdings of the Government of Ontario, the Government of Alberta, and the Hudson’s Bay Company. He remains a resident of the Sioux Lookout area, where he continues his artistic practice.