About Kris

Kris’ art is a continuation of the spirit and tradition of rock 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 combines the use of traditional Native symbols and images with the outlook of a contemporary artist.

As a “storyteller in stone and wood” he seeks to “bring forth the spirit of the stone to release its beauty as a treasure that will endure and last for eternity”.

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 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 totem 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.

In 2017 Kris was commissioned by the Canadian National Exhibition to produce a 36’ UNITY POLE (Totem). The Pole was unveiled at the CNE in August of 2017, receiving national and international acclaim from the public and the media. The Unity Pole was the CNE Association’s first Indigenous Art acquisition and currently stands in front of the Press Building on the CNE grounds. Kris’s stonework can also be found in numerous private and corporate collections including Anne Murray, Bill Cosby, Justin Trudeau, Keech Rainwater (of Lonestar), Nik Antropov (Atlanta Thrashers), Brian Skinner (Phoenix Suns).

Kris is the co-creator/producer of “Future History”, a documentary series that challenges the colonial narrative and celebrates the reclamation of Indigenous knowledge and identity. Kris co-hosted season one and two of the series with dancer, choreographer, actor and activist Sarain Fox. Production was paused in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic but the first 2 seasons are available for streaming on CBC Gem.

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

Elected Chief of Kawartha Nishnawbe First Nations (retired)
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

The Artists’ Commons – Withrow Commons Gallery – Toronto, ON
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

Chinese Cultural Centre – Canada 150 – Group Exhibition
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

Licence

· 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/Television

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

PENDING PROJECT – Public Art Installation for the newly designed Humber Bay Trails Park Project, Toronto, ON
Connected Future – pair of story poles – Daniels Corporation, Mississauga, ON
Unity Pole – Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, ON
Spirit of the Earth Stone Sculpture – presented to former U.S. President George Bush
Reunion, Stone Sculpture – presented to the Duke of York, Prince Andrew
Trails of Nobility, Stone Sculpture – presented to His Royal Highness, Prince Charles
International Vision Calls – Stone Sculpture – presented to Nelson Mandela
Numerous private commissions

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.

Book Contributions

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.

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