The Whyte is proud to present The Ancestors Are Talking: Paintings by the Indigenous Seven, a landmark exhibition running from May 2 to October 19, 2025. Curated by acclaimed artist and the last living member of the Indigenous Group of Seven, Joseph M. Sánchez, alongside The Whyte's curators Dawn Saunders Dahl and Christina Cuthbertson, this exhibition celebrates the groundbreaking artwork of the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. (PNIAI), colloquially known as the Indigenous Group of Seven.
“The Ancestors Are Talking will highlight the artistic progression of each member, exploring key developments in their careers, from early sketches to masterworks and public art commissions,” explains Joseph Sánchez. “This exhibition will emphasize the revolutionary colour, style, and vision that continue to inspire generations of Indigenous artists.”
This highly anticipated exhibition will feature iconic works by all members of the Indigenous Group of Seven: Daphne Odjig (1919–2016), Alex Janvier (1935–2024), Norval Morrisseau (1932–2007), Carl Ray (1943–1978), Jackson Beardy (1944–1984), Eddy Cobiness (1933–1996), and Joseph M. Sánchez (b. 1948). These visionary artists broke barriers in Canadian art history, resisting systemic exclusion and redefining Indigenous art within Canada and beyond.
The exhibition offers a journey through decades of their artistic evolution, featuring pieces inspired by the mountains of Jasper, the Boreal Forest, and images of strength, family, resistance, nature, and ceremony. Imagination and abstraction are shared ideas in the journey of seven artists who, with their inspiration and wisdom, changed the canon of art in Canada. Art colour, culture and spirituality filled the early conversations of the Indigenous Group of Seven followed by decades of painting and activism. They created art to awaken a troubled world and to build a foundation for those who have followed in their footsteps.
As Sánchez eloquently states, “This art is revolutionary and remains deeply relevant to the history of
Canadian art. These works not only reflect the past but continue to resonate with the present and inspire future art practices.”
Mentorship Program
The exhibition will also lay the groundwork for an Indigenous mentorship program, led by Joseph Sánchez and Dawn Saunders Dahl. Seventeen local Indigenous artists have been invited to create new works inspired by The Ancestors are Talking. In this program, artists will have an unprecedented opportunity to work with Sánchez to further develop their artistic practices. The artists will be encouraged to research historic works and material culture in The Whyte’s collection, while exploring personal narrative, traditional storytelling, and various artistic mediums and styles. This mentorship program honours the original intentions of the Indigenous Group of Seven to amply the voices of Indigenous artists. New artworks created through this program will be exhibited at The Whyte in 2026.
A Continued Commitment to Reconciliation
The Whyte is uniquely positioned to host this exhibition, with its commitment to preserving art and heritage in the Canadian Rockies. The museum holds the largest art collection dedicated to the Canadian Rockies, encompassing over 10,000 pieces from the early 1800s to the present day. The Ancestors Are Talking is one of many reconciliation efforts of The Whyte. Museum founders Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte deeply valued their relationships with Indigenous communities, recognizing the importance of preserving and sharing the cultural knowledge and heritage of the Indigenous Peoples of the region. This exhibition is a continued effort to share and protect the rich cultural history of Indigenous art and identity, and to strengthen cross-cultural relationships.
Join us this summer in celebrating the enduring legacy of the Indigenous Group of Seven—a collective whose artistry, advocacy, and vision continue to shape the cultural and artistic landscapes of Canada and the world.
The Norval Morrisseau Estate, The Rimrock Banff, and EA Studios (Jasper) Ltd. support the exhibition.
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