Charlie McKenzie

I am from Lac La Ronge, Saskatchewan. I lived here all of my life. I grew up in the small reserve called Jackpine. I went to school at Kitsaki, later it became Senator Myles Venne School, where I attended and finished high school.

Kitsaki was where I learned to draw and acquired a thirst to learn more about illustrating pictures. At Senator I was the school artist. John Halkett who is also from La Ronge taught me. I made two large logos for S.M.V.S. The first one was a school logo the second was the team logo. I then entered and won logo contests several times.

I attended The Fine Arts Festival five times and I won first and second categories in pencil and ink. After graduating from S.M.V.S I entered into a University by applying for and passing the University Entrance Program for University of Saskatchewan.

I began working odd jobs until I was asked to do some illustrations for the Cree Resource Unit of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. I was hired on for three months as a casual worker then was hired on as full time in August 2005. I am enjoying working for the Cree Resource Unit, also known as The Gift of Language and Culture Project.

In the future I hope to own and manage my own gallery where First Nations Art can be taught and be a business as well.

ikosi pitamā