Painting

Portrait of Rose Pratt Nixon that I did of an Aboriginal friend a long time ago and which was part of the Government of Ontario Art Collection was recently stolen...wonder what that means?

Rose Pratt (Elizabeth) NIXON

NIXON, Rose (Elizabeth) Pratt - Her sunrise was May 24, 1939. She was born to legendary First Nation leaders Clara and Colin Pratt at Muscowpetung First Nation, Saskatchewan. Her sunset was at 02:12 Indian time November 18, 2013, surrounded by love, peace and honour. In between, she lived many rewarding and exciting lives. A successful businesswoman and Native Art dealer, she was also a proficient leader in the creation of new art mediums from earrings to footwear. An articulate First Nations Rights activist, she both mourned for and healed from the injustices of her formative years in Indian Residential schools. She raised children George and Bernie (Robin), and four daughters: Cheryl, Cathy, Diane and Lori. She joins her oldest son George. Beloved sister of two brothers and three sisters: Hector and Norman, Bernelda and Margie, who predeceased her, and survived by her older sister Flora (Dolly). Her one true love and greatest friend, husband Tom Nixon preceded her in their next journey. But her greatest joy was clearly her role as Kokum to Shane (Shelly), Shaune, Jenn, Blaine, Brianna, Cassie, Riley, Omar, Kevin, Jamie, Pearl, Jayden, Ashley and Tianna and Great-Kokum to her precious Sophia and Avery. Proud Auntie to Sherry Blakey Smith, Winona and Jordan Wheeler, Tom and Beth Seeds, Marg Lanigan, Doreen, and Joe McNab and a host of great-nieces and nephews. Ma was, in every sense, a true warrior woman. Her dedication to enlightening all Nations about the great strengths of Canada's First Nations, she roamed the plains, mountains, lakes and oceans of Turtle Island as a free and engaging spirit. Her shenanigans from coast to coast are only rivaled by her generosity and strength. She once cried at a flooded section of what was once James Bay Cree hunting lands because she heard the cries of children who had perished as a result. I hope she is now giving them a hug, like the great mom and Kokum she was.