Nipissing First Nation artist takes to the stage for arts sake
By Kelly Anne Smith
NIPISSING FIRST NATION— A colourful new mural has been painted by Nipissing First Nation’s Dan Commanda to adorn the walls of Nbisiing Secondary School.
Commanda, a multidisciplinary artist, is known for a variety of traditional and contemporary art forms. He is also a cultural mentor to many. He is one of the five finalists in the 2019 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts for artistic accomplishment.
Commanda says he has accomplished excellence in approximately 50 different art and cultural projects including beadwork, design, feather work, fabrics, painting and playing music. He is appreciative of his musical history.
“I received an Aboriginal Country Music Hall of Fame award about four years ago, for promoting music in our communities throughout the years.”
Commanda is a guitarist and singer in the band Migizi Country. Commanda plays with his cousin Marty Restoule (lead singer/guitar), Leland Bell (guitar/vocals), Tyler Dokis (bass/vocals) and Dave Miner (guitar/vocals). Miner is also the sound technician of the Nipissing First Nation Traditional Pow Wow.
“We have a big gathering here at Nbisiing Secondary School in February.”
Commanda initiated the Nipissing First Nation Annual Artists Gathering and Art Show seven years ago to showcase talented musicians. The popular event attracts a range of musical acts and over 25 artists – some travelling from Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, Toronto and Quebec.
On the stage of Nbisiing Secondary School, Dan is immersed in the completion of a mural entitled “Where My Art Comes From.” Designed for clan teachings, the 7’ high by 15’ wide acrylic on panel board colourfully highlights his traditional woodlands style.
Commanda reminisces about his artistic beginnings.
“I always watched my parents do art work. My dad was a woodworker so I have carving. He was also a leatherworker, so I also work with leather. My mother was a traditional textile artist, a designer and builder of clothing. We always had homemade leather warm mitts to wear to school. She also played music, both organ and piano. My grandparents, for as far back as I can remember, were always singing and laughing. They were happy people.”
Commanda grew artistically at 17 and 18 years old with the woodland school influence.
“I started formal painting with a group of artists that were brought together by Tom Peltier’s Manitou Arts Foundation on Schrieber Island near Little Current. I was there for two summers learning to paint; do photography, and make films,” explains Commanda. “Blake Debassige and Leland Bell, now both renowned Canadian painters, along with many other influential artists, were also part of this program. It was quite an experience. Instructors Carl Ray, Daphne Odjig, as well as representatives from the National Film Board lead the programming.”
In the early 1970s, Commanda travelled to Toronto where he became involved in Pow Wow as a traditional dancer and learned to construct dance regalia.
“I started working with youth in a children’s program. I met people like Larry Johnson, Vera Marten, Lyla Brown,” recalls Commanda. “I became part of that movement that talked about our culture and really started to promote our culture. We were part of the American Indian Movement. We were very involved with protesting and shutting down government buildings to try to bring attention that there was something wrong with the system. It’s not working for Native People.”
“When I came back home, I began to initiate Indigenous programming in our community but there were many barriers to overcome, some of which are still firmly entrenched. 40 years later, Nipissing First Nation can be proud of the many traditional dancers, singers, drummers and language carriers living here,” continues Commanda. “I’ve been fortunate to receive a few Eagle Feathers.”
Commanda is most proud of the Eagle Feather presented to him for donating and clearing the land for the Jocko Point Pow-Wow grounds. Henry Anishnabie and Commanda donated their sugar bush.
Members of Commanda’s family proudly served as warriors in both WWI and WWII, and not only passed down that warrior spirit, but also the gift of art.
“There has always been a warrior spirit in our family,” notes Commanda. “From that time there have always been grandparents, and great grandparents who were artists. They were traditional nature artists. They were hunters.”
Now a Nmishomis, Commanda encourages younger generations to seriously focus on the Eagle Feather, Tobacco, and Seven Grandfather Teachings. Belief in having a firm grasp of the traditional teachings, he says ceremony and cultural arts will accelerate community healing and wellness for our people. Certainly, Clan Teachings will be inspired by Dan Commanda’s impactful mural, “Where My Art Comes From,” for youth at Nbisiing Secondary School.