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Maxine Noel - Ioyan Mani

Maxine Noel is Oglala Sioux, born on the Birdtail Reservation in Manitoba. Her Sioux name is Ioyan Mani, meaning “to walk beyond.” The eldest of 11 children, she learned to draw within a loving family on a quiet reserve. In residential school, she experienced the struggles involved in suppressing the Indigenous spirituality and culture that had given her strength and enriched her life.

A self-taught artist, Noel is skilled in many media. Through fluid images, flowing lines, and subtle colours, she seeks to present what she sees as the essential characteristics of Indigenous peoples: their sensibilities, generosity and loving nature.

Noel has received honours and accolades for her work with Indigenous cultures, and speaks across the country on art and social issues, helping to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous, young and old.

In 2019, Noel was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her work as a visual artist, and for encouraging and promoting creative expression within Indigenous communities.

Maxine Noel is Oglala Sioux, born on the Birdtail Reservation in Manitoba. Her Sioux name is Ioyan Mani, meaning “to walk beyond.” The eldest of 11 children, she learned to draw within a loving family on a quiet reserve. In residential school, she experienced the struggles involved in suppressing the Indigenous spirituality and culture that had given her strength and enriched her life.

A self-taught artist, Noel is skilled in many media. Through fluid images, flowing lines, and subtle colours, she seeks to present what she sees as the essential characteristics of Indigenous peoples: their sensibilities, generosity and loving nature.

Noel has received honours and accolades for her work with Indigenous cultures, and speaks across the country on art and social issues, helping to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous, young and old.

In 2019, Noel was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her work as a visual artist, and for encouraging and promoting creative expression within Indigenous communities.