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| Biography:
Claude is a member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg band, north of Ottawa (Maniwaki). His father is French Canadian and his mother is Anish- inabeg. Marguerite (Brascoupé) Budge, Claude's kokomis (grand- mother), represented his initial contact with his Algonkin roots. These roots took hold in many ways, providing inspiration and vision. In 1986, Claude received powerful dreams through which Shingosi (Weasel) became a guide and friend, deepening his connection to his aboriginal heritage. Over the years, he has participated in traditional cere- monies, which have left a profound mark on his spirituality, both on the conscious level and especially in his dream world. Unable to write about these powerful experiences, he released the energies through visual expression, choosing different med- iums including painting, sculpture, and video. -Algonkin
Comments on urban experience: My name is Claude Latour and I am a member of
the Kitigan-Zibi Anishin- abeg Band, Algonkin Nation which is located north
of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. My mother was enfranchised in 1943 after my
Grandfather, Lloyd Budge, lost his status when he was deceived by an Indian
Agent by the name of Gendron. Lloyd's paternal side was Orkney (from Scotland)
and Algonkin while the maternal was Irish and Algonkin. The agent had tricked
him into signing a document that stated his mother was " pure " white and
his father was " pure "white. He could not read or write and false infor-
mation was provided on the document by the agent himself. My
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Click on photo to enter gallery My mother was enfranchised in 1943 after my Grandfather, Lloyd Budge, lost his status when he was deceived by an Indian Agent by the name of Gendron."
Grandmother whose paternal and maternal were both Algonkin, was now married to a " white " and as a result she too lost her status. The domino effect eliminated their fourteen children as members. Eleven families were remov- ed from the band list during that year. As a result the entire family was for- ced off the reserve and found accom- modation in the town of Maniwaki and by the late forties eventually migrated to Ottawa. I was born in 1961 here in Ottawa. My mother had married a French Canadian from Montreal. Eastview (Vanier) was where I grew up in my early years. There was no connection to my aboriginal roots
except for the odd time we would make a family trip for a wedding or odd
funeral. My mother showed me the places where she had grown up on the 'res.
The church, the big boulder that marked the front yard where their house
once stood, the river, the old railway tracks they used to have to walk
on... five miles to school and back. That was my only connection to "the"
land. As a young child I knew I was part Anishinabeg and had pride to this
claim. Because of my blood mixture, I fit easily into the white culture
but my heart was always on the side of my Anishinabeg roots. My other contact
was my Grand- mother, Marguerite Brascoupé Budge. She was well respected
on the reserve and many Algonkins would come and visit my grandparents
at their apart-
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ment on Somerset Street in Sandy Hill. She was
a doctor. The Fifth Generation of the Kaponichin line... Bear Clan. There
wasn't anything that woman could not do. I would eat all sorts of wild
game that her friends would bring in from up north, taste her medicines,
listen to her play piano, listen to her many stories and wear beautifully
beaded moccasins a week after she had traced trace my foot on a piece of
paper. She always gave to the poor and as a healer, she took her prayer
life very seriously. As a staunch Roman Catholic, she mixed the traditional
world and her Christian world with fine balance. The city was a tough place
to understand my native identity for I realized what the land has to offer
but I am so far-removed from it. At times trying to fit in both worlds
that I was a part of was confusing. It wasn't until my middle twenties
that I awakened and searched for myself after having a powerful vision.
I ended up going north to visit my grandmother's friends and staying with
them. It was a good beginning to the teachings. I was fortunate because
not even my mother had access to these teachings because the reserve had
diluted them with "education" colonial style. My home was the city and
within the city environment, I continued searching for those teachings
and was able to find native support groups that gave me the community and
friendship that I was searching for. These various organizations helped
me along my path as I battled for two and a half years getting my Grandparents
reinstated as members of their band with DINA. Though I was successful
in my challenge, I realized that our true identity lies with self and not
some nine or ten-digit band number. I have learned that within the community
there are many teachers and friends who have much to offer. To all those
who have helped me along my journey I offer you many thanks and I hope
that through my art work we may continue the teachings and walk sidebyside
in balance with the other nations.
CONTACT/PURCHASE INFO: CLAUDE LATOUR
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