Wilfred Laurier awards Christi Belcourt with Honorary Degree
From Wilfrid Laurier:
WATERLOO — Business leader Rola Dagher and Indigenous artist Christi Belcourt will receive honorary degrees as part of Wilfrid Laurier University’s 2023 fall convocation ceremonies. Waterloo campus ceremonies take place at Lazaridis Hall on Thursday, Oct. 12 and Friday, Oct. 13.
Christi Belcourt (apihtâwikosisâniskwêw / mânitow sâkahikanihk) is a visual artist, designer, community organizer, environmentalist, social justice advocate, and avid land-based arts and language learner. Following the tradition of Métis floral beadwork, Belcourt paints large scale floral landscapes and uses subject matter as a metaphor for human existence to relay a variety of meanings. Belcourt’s work has touched on themes including concern for the environment, biodiversity, spirituality and awareness of Métis culture.
Belcourt’s paintings are found in many collections across North America including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Gabriel Dumont Institute, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. She was named 2014 Aboriginal Arts Laureate by the Ontario Arts Council and in 2016 received the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts and a Governor General’s Innovation Award.
