Maxine Noel

Native Artist

Maxine Noel is a Santee Oglala Sioux, born on the Birdtail Reservation in southwestern Manitoba.

She has always felt a strong commitment to her culture that has involved her in work with the Native Earth Performing Arts, the Canadian Native Arts Foundation and the Association for Native Development in the Performing and Visual Arts.

Maxine has worked actively as a board member, consultant, artistic director and artist. She has lectured and been a panel member at the Saskatchewan School of Fine Arts, the University of Western Ontario and the native program at the Ontario College of Art.

An elder gave Maxine her Sioux name - Ioyan Mani - shortly after birth. The name means 'Walk Beyond'.

Her imagery is fresh and distinctly modern. The flowing lines and simple composition give her paintings a unique character.