R. Kris Nahrgang
Mississauga Ojibway Carver & Painter
Biography
R. Kris Nahrgang is a multi-disciplinary artist working in wood, stone and traditional oil mediums. He is also an advocate for the rights of First Nations communities in Ontario and has liaised between Native and non-native groups with respect to archaeology since 2000.
Kris Nahrgang is a Status, Mississauga Ojibway Treaty Indian – status held at Curve Lake. His home is located close to the site of the Peterborough Petroglyphs which date back over a thousand years and are recognized as the largest single concentration of rock carvings in Canada.
Kris’ art is a continuation of this spirit and tradition of rock and story pole carving. His style has a balance of innovative, modern and traditional elements which have led to a growing recognition of his work across Canada and the world. His work has been noted in art periodicals including Insight, Art Impression and Collectibles, as well as MacLean’s Magazine.
An experienced diver, Mr. Nahrgang began an undergraduate degree in anthropology at Trent University, and has worked in a close relationship with underwater archaeologists at Parks Canada, mainly along the Trent Severn. Mr. Nahrgang has attempted to establish a cultural heritage/archaeological research and curatorial facility that will serve the needs of a large group of the smaller southern Ontario native communities. He served as a member of the advisory committee struck by the Ministry of Culture to contribute to the development of new Stage 1-4 archaeological assessment technical guidelines. As an Associate to the firm, he has worked closely with Archaeological Services Inc. on several projects, including the Aboriginal Consultation initiative for the North Pickering Development Plan. He is consulting widely with First Nations on matters relating to the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Recently Kris was commissioned by the Canadian National Exhibition to produce a 36’ UNITY POLE. The Pole was unveiled at the CNE in August of 2017, receiving national and international acclaim from the public and the media. Kris’s work can be found in numerous private and corporate collection including Anne Murray, Bill Cosby, Justin Trudeau, Keech Rainwater (of Lonestar), Nik Antropov (Atlanta Thrashers), Brian Skinner (Phoenix Suns).
In 2018 APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) aired Season One of “Future History”, a documentary series that challenges the colonial narrative and celebrates the reclamation of Indigenous knowledge and identity, which Kris and Jennifer Podemski co-created. Kris also host the series with dancer, choreographer, actor and activist Sarain Fox. Season One & Two can now be viewed on CBC Gem. Development work for a third season was put on hold due to the current pandemic.
Education
1981 – Native Law Program, University of Saskatoon, BA Equivalency for Law School, Completed
1982 – Osgood Hall Law School, York University, One Year
1991-1992 – Social Service Diploma, Sir Sanford Fleming College, Peterborough, Ontario, Completed
2001-2004 – Hon. BA., Anthropology Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario. Nine Credits Completed.
Current Positions
Chief of Kawartha Nishnawbe First Nations
Artist, Self Employed, Spirit of the Stone
Owner & President, Grand Medicine Health Services
Owner & Board Chairman Northwest Healthcare
Past Positions
Archaeological Liaison Curve Lake First Nation Native 2001-2002
Archeological Liaison for Alderville First Nation Native 2002-2004
Archaeological Liaison for Scugog Island First Nations 2003-2007
Native Liaison Officer for Trent University 2000-2005
Consulting Associate, Archaeological Services Inc., Toronto
Recent Juried Art Shows
Buckhorn Wildlife/Fine Art Festival – Buckhorn, On
Kawartha Arts Festival – Fenelon Falls, On
Collingwood Art & Music Festival – Collingwood, On
Ottawa Art Expo – Ottawa, On
Purple Turtle Art Festival – Georgina, On
Art Walk, Polo for Heart – Vaughan, On
Exhibitions
Artworld Fine Art Gallery – Solo Exhibition – Toronto (October 2017)
Scugog Council for the Arts, “Focus on First Nations”, October 2014
Gallery on the Lake, August 2008
Northumberland Art Gallery, A Retrospective, 2001
Festival De Reviers, 50th Anniversary, Landings of Allies in Normandy, France, June 1994
Honours & Accolaides
Premier’s Award Nomination, Creative Arts & Design, 2011
Committees
Alumni Advisory Council for Fleming College, 2011-2013
Native Liaison and Consultant for Ministry of Municipal Affairs, 2004-2007
Native Liaison and Consultant for Ontario Reality Corp., Seaton Property Land Exchange, 2004-2007
City of Peterborough Archaeological Master Plan Committee, 2003-2004
Pickering Planning & Growth Management Study, 2003-2004
Technical Advisory Group Member for Archaeology in Ontario, 2003-2005
Stakeholder meeting for changes to the Ontario Heritage Act, 2002-2003
City of Kawartha Lakes Planning Meetings, 2003
Licences
Research License, Ministry of Culture, July 2006
Parks Canada/Trent Severn Waterway archaeological assessments on inundated lands, 2001-present
ACUC® Certified November, 1998 – present
Teaching Experience
2003 Teaching Assistant, Trent University; Archaeological Laboratory Procedures (Susan Jamieson and Paul Prince)
Presentations
First Nations and Archaeology. Paper presented to the Ontario Archaeological Society Annual Symposium, Midland, 2000.
First Nations and Archaeology. Paper presented to the Kenneth Kidd Lecture Series, Trent University, 2000.
Respect: First Nations and Archaeology. Paper presented to the Trent University Elders Conference, Trent University, 2003.
First Nations and Archaeology. Paper presented to the McMaster Anthropology Society for Ethics in Anthropology Symposium, McMaster University, 2003.
First Nations and Archaeology. Paper presented to the Canadian Archaeological Association Symposium, Hamilton, 2003.
First Nations and Archaeology. Paper presented to the Loyalist College, Bellville, Ontario, 2003.
Protecting First Nations History and Archaeology under the Trent Severn Waterway. Paper presented to the Society of American Archaeology, Montreal, 2004.
First Nations History, and Consultation Presentation delivered for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ontario Realty Corporation, and Municipal/ Provincial administrator venues across southern Ontario talks presented in conjunction with Dr. Ron Williamson presenting the history of the First Nations and peopling of Ontario, focusing on the issues that affect them and the consultation process in Ontario today. Delivered approximately 30 presentations 2005-2008
Articles
The State of Archaeology and First Nations. Ontario Archaeology, Toronto, 2004. No. 73:1-9.
An Aboriginal Perspective. Before Ontario: The Archaeology of a Province, Montreal, 2013. 203-211.
Film
2017-2019 – Executive Co-Producer and Host of “Future History” A documentary series about shifting the colonial narrative and celebrating the reclamation of indigenous knowledge and identity. Season 1 and 2 currently available to stream on CBC Gem
Art Commissions
Canadian National Exhibition – Unity Pole – 35 ft pole depicting the unification of Canada
“Spirit of the Earth” was presented to former U.S. President George Bush.
“Reunion” was presented to the Duke of York, Prince Andrew
“Trails of Nobility” presented to His Royal Highness, Prince Charles
“International Vision Calls / 2020” presented to Nelson Mandela.
Articles Featured In
Blackett, Matthew. (January 2010) Our Home and Native Archaeology. Spacing Magazine.
Farr, Moira. (Marc 2004) Diving into Controversy, Saturday Night Magazine.
Hill, Diane Elizabeth. (July 2008) Turning Adversity into Art. Readers Digest.