Born of Dene Suline and Saulteaux descent in 1935 in Alberta, Canada, Alex Janvier is a painter in both abstract and realistic styles and often uses colors symbolically to express his 'First Nations' background. He credits the beadwork and birch bark basketry of family members including his mother as influencing his artwork.

He was raised by his family until he was eight years old, and then was sent to the Blue Quills Indian School near St. Paul, Alberta. Here he did his first paintings, but his formal art training came from the Alberta College of Art in Calgary. He graduated with honours in 1960, and then became an art instructor at the University of Alberta.

A member of the commonly referred...