The McMichael Canadian Art Collection’s exhibition Early Days: Indigenous Art at the McMichael offers visitors a profound and expansive look at the evolution of Indigenous artistic expression in Canada. On view through March 29, 2026, this ambitious exhibition presents more than 100 works from the McMichael’s permanent collection, spanning over two centuries—from 18th-century ceremonial regalia and trade objects to striking contemporary works by some of today’s leading Indigenous artists.

A Living Continuum of Indigenous Expression

At its core, Early Days celebrates the continuity, resilience, and innovation of Indigenous artmaking. Visitors encounter an extraordinary range of media including painting, sculpture, textiles, printmaking, and video, highlighting the diversity of cultural practices across regions and generations. The exhibition features important historical figures and trailblazers such as Norval Morrisseau, Robert Houle, Alex Janvier, and Carl Beam, whose pioneering contributions broadened the scope of contemporary Canadian art.

Alongside these foundational artists are celebrated contemporary voices like Kent Monkman, Rebecca Belmore, and Meryl McMaster, whose works interrogate identity, history, and representation in fresh and compelling ways. This wide-ranging presentation emphasises how Indigenous art evolves while remaining deeply rooted in cultural knowledge, connection to land, and community.

New Voices, New Works, and Global Perspectives

Early Days returns to the McMichael following an acclaimed international tour through the United States and Québec. This expanded homecoming includes new acquisitions and never-before-shown works, offering fresh perspectives on both established and emerging artists. By placing historical objects—such as masks, regalia, and early works on paper—beside cutting-edge contemporary pieces, the exhibition draws powerful connections between past and present.

An award-winning publication accompanies the exhibition, featuring essays by Indigenous artists, scholars, and knowledge keepers. Topics range from land-based practices and regional traditions to the development of major Indigenous art movements. These contributions enrich visitors’ understanding of the historical and cultural foundations that shape the works on display.

Through thoughtful curation and its broad scope, Early Days invites viewers to reflect on the shifting narratives of Canadian art history and the central role Indigenous creativity has played—and continues to play—in shaping them.

About the McMichael Canadian Art Collection

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario, is the country’s premier public gallery devoted exclusively to Canadian and Indigenous art. Its extensive holdings include more than 7,500 works, spanning historic pieces by the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson to significant works by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists past and present. The McMichael is also home to the renowned Kinngait (Cape Dorset) Inuit art archive, a global treasure of northern creativity. Surrounded by 100 acres of conservation land, the gallery provides a unique setting for experiencing Canadian art within the natural landscapes that inspired it.