By Tyrone Sitting Eagle
Siksika Nation member Darren WeaselChild is a full-time Indigenous artist who paints in both traditional settings and as a modern painter. His painting styles range from traditional Blackfoot-style works on canvas and tipis to a more expressive, modern approach that incorporates elements of modernism and expressionism. Most recently, he has been recognized as the Calgary Public Library’s 2026 Indigenous Artist in Residence. This is a paid opportunity that supports engagement with artists, collectives, and arts organizations working in Indigenous art and placemaking, children’s art, illustration, and more. Residents are given a workspace at the Central Library, allowing them to connect and engage with multiple other libraries across Calgary. Individuals who are interested in learning more can inquire, consult, and book one-on-one consultations to discuss painting methods that may aid emerging artists.
In terms of applying, WeaselChild expressed in an interview that the process was lengthy but worth it in the end. He explained that his close friend notified him of the opportunity and helped him in applying and gathering the material needed. After forgetting about it entirely, WeaselChild had received a call that he had won the Indigenous Artist Residency was a bit of a shock.
“I woke up one morning to a phone call from a lady, and she was explaining all this stuff. I asked her, what is this about? That’s when she told me I had won the Indigenous Artist Residency for the Calgary Public Library,” said Weasel Child in an interview with Siksika Media.
With this residency, he is given everything he needs to get his work done, ranging from a huge workspace, desk, easel, and most of all, a nice quiet space for him to work.
On top of being a part of this, WeaselChild is also working with Kristy North Peigan and Grant Little Mustache in the Apanii art collective, which they all created last year. In this collective, they take on commissions. An example of their work is an installation located downtown at the CORE, which is a tipi design with an obelisk in the middle, as well as two pieces at the Sheldon Chumir. He assisted with a piece that Kristy was working on as a knowledge keeper, and on the seventh floor of the building, they hand-painted a tipi room with tipi designs, demonstrating a blend of modern and traditional art. With the guidance of Elder Duane MistakenChief.
In terms of getting his start in traditional painting, WeaselChild began with his dear friend and elder Grant Little Mustache by painting traditional tipis, completing a total of 9 tipis together. These tipis were later put into traditional use and brought back into the Blackfoot Confederacy community, giving the opportunity to revive these older designs.
“That is where I got my start-through Grant and other Elders,” said WeaselChild. Prior to pursuing murals and installations, his creative practice was rooted in music and filmmaking. Today, his work is more focused on the Apanii art collective and a full-time painting career.
WeaselChild also explained his methods and motivations behind some of his pieces, describing how most of his work comes from dreams. When he wakes up, he does his best to quickly draw and depict what he has seen in his dreams within his paintings. It is quite an interesting process, as sometimes the colours aren’t there and sometimes, they are, creating an organic process of deciding how to fill in that colour.
“When I sleep, I’ll see pictures that are being given to me through dreams, and I’ll quickly doodle them in my little notebook. Sometimes the colour is there and sometimes the colour isn’t there, so it’s a fun process being able to have my own creative input,” said WeaselChild.
As well as using acrylic and watercolours in his painting, he is also utilizing Blackfoot traditional paints such as charcoal and ochre, essentially creating his own pigments. He also does a lot of research on Blackfoot drawings, looking at what his ancestors created and how they viewed the world; he wants to depict that in art form while gathering inspiration from it.
As well, digging deeper into his art, aside from painting, WeaselChild has also dived into expressionism and abstract pieces. One piece came from a time when he was going through an emotional year. To take advantage of this emotion, he created a piece where he could release those feelings to help him heal. After completing the piece, WeaselChild described an encounter where an individual asked him what they were supposed to feel. He later explained that this was an unplanned piece that had no set direction—there was no initial idea or drawing beforehand. This particular piece is called Integument, representing a cover-up of another piece underneath, creating strong symbolism for Weasel Child.
In conclusion, Darren WeaselChild has worked hard to get to where he is today, creating opportunities and a chance to express his art to the public in both traditional and modern ways. This allows him to blend modern and traditional elements into his pieces, creating a very unique style of painting.
WeaselChild also expressed that he would like to thank Siksika Nation for their support, the Calgary Public Library, Kristy North Peigan and Grant Little Mustache for their collaborative work and for supporting each other in completing large projects, and the City of Calgary for purchasing two of his pieces to put into archives. He also extends his thanks to his Mother Donna, and Sister Gaylene Weasel Child, who helped him obtain art supplies and supported him throughout his journey by purchasing his work. Lastly, he thanks Inniskim’aki, for ongoing encouragement and steadfast support throughout this artistic journey.
