Kenojuak Ashevak, one of Canada's best—known Inuit artists, was born 3 October 1927 in Ikerrasak camp, South Baffin Island, NWT. In Kenojuak, Jan Beaver tells the story of her upbringing in the traditional nomadic hunting lifestyle, and her life as an artist. From 1952 to 1955, Kenojuak was hospitalized with tuberculosis in Québec City, where she met Harold Pfeiffer, who taught her arts and crafts as a way to pass the time. When she returned to Cape Dorset, Kenojuac met James Houston, who taught the Inuit printmaking techniques and founded the West Baffin Co—operative, where many of the Inuit artists' prints were sold to buyers in the south.
Her early drawings often featured birds and other creatures of the north. The Enchanted Owl (1960), one of her most famous images, was used on a postage stamp in the 1970s to commemorate the centennial of the Northwest Territories. Her work also included drawing, etching, carving, as well as graphic design for clothing and blankets. Kenojuak created a mural for the 1970 World's Fair in Osaka, Japan. In 2004, she designed a stained glass window for the chapel of Appleby College in Oakville, Ontario.
In her lifetime, Kenojuak received many awards, including the Order of Canada (becoming a Companion in 1982) and participated in many exhibitions. She travelled in Canada and Europe and was featured in a National Film Board film in 1963, Eskimo Artist: Kenojuak. She became a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1974 and was awarded a Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts in 2008. In 2012, Kenojuak was appointed to the Order of Nunavut.
Kenojuak's life was hard and often filled with tragedy. She was married three times and bore fourteen children, several of which did not survive. Yet she never lost her fascination for the world and her love of making art.
Kenojuak died in January 2013, at her home in Cape Dorset, NU. Jan Beaver writes that when she died, "the world lost a bright shining light, a remarkable woman who shone the light for so many Inuit artists to find their way. She accomplished so much in her lifetime and created many beautiful works of art. Her legacy will live on forever in countless art collections around the world."

Jan Beaver's profile page

Jan Beaver is a member of Alderville First Nation; a traditional dancer, storyteller, author and educational consultant. For many years, Jan was a classroom teacher and outdoor education teacher with the Toronto District School Board. She also served as the Senior Education Advisor for Ogemawahj Tribal Council in Rama. Jan is the author of 6 fiction and non—fiction books for elementary and secondary students. In recognition for her work in education, Jan was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.