Margot Cormier Splane Internationally Exhibited Artist

From Where the Sun Now Stands, I Will Fight No More Forever

1996 31 x 33.25" ~ 77.5 x 83 cm Acrylic Paint on Canvas

In the early 90's as we approached the 500th anniversary of Columbus discovering America, I can remember being surprised that this was controversial. Then I had an a-ha moment, from the perspective of a First Nations person, we took over their land and reduced their numbers through disease and warfare, I guess that this would not be a happy anniversary.

The First nations stand off at Oka near Montreal and a few years later at Gustason Lake in B.C. also got me thinking about Indian culture and issues. This painting attempts to blend together some high points of their history with the struggles they are facing today.

The Mesoamerican pyramid in my painting dates from around the first century and is the Teotihuacan Pyramid of the sun. For over 2000 years first nations people around what we know today as Mexico, had temples, palaces, cities, and infrastructure to rival anything in Europe at the time.

Nez Perces plains Indians thrived with the introduction of the horse. Through careful selection they created the appaloosa breed, a horse designed for speed and endurance in chasing down the buffalo. They also found it handy that the appaloosa was already painted with spots. Following the Indian wars in the U.S. Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce attempted to flee to Canada with his people. Many were killed or died of exhaustion along the way. Finally within a half day's march of Canada the U.S. Cavalry caught up with them. Chief Joseph accepted this defeat with dignity saying, "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."

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