Jaune Quick-to-see Smith

Born in 1940 in St. Ignatius, Montana, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith was a celebrated contemporary artist and an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation. Over the decades, she created works that touched on cultural memory, environmental urgency, and Indigenous resilience, incorporating personal narratives into broader histories.

Smith's sculptural project 'Trade Canoe: Making Medicine II', created in collaboration with UAP, carries forward her legacy of storytelling centred on her Canoe series. The 'Trade Canoe' series, which began in 1992, uses the image of the canoe to explore the layered histories of trade, colonization, and cultural exchange between Native Americans and settlers. Through mixed media paintings and sculptures, Smith combines imagery, objects, and paint to reflect the complex, often painful realities of these interactions.

'Trade Canoe: Making Medicine II' is the last of a series she began in painting form. Smith often spoke of stories her father shared about Native communities receiving so-called "gifts" from settlers arriving in canoes — offerings that carried devastating consequences. Beneath the guise of trade, settlers introduced deadly forces like smallpox and land theft. In this work, everyday items from syrup-flavored coffees to Christian sacramentals are gathered into a canoe, symbolically returning these harmful legacies. Smith's work challenges viewers to confront these layered histories.

Tragically, Smith passed away on January 24, 2025, midway through the sculpture's production. The news deeply impacted our team, strengthening our commitment to honouring her vision with extraordinary care. Every stage, from mould making and lost wax casting to assembling and patina work, became a tribute to her legacy.

The finished piece measures 12' L × 1.7' W × 2.9' H and weighs approximately 1,250 pounds. It was created using traditional foundry techniques and recycled materials. The coyote element was 3D printed in PMMA from files provided by the artist's studio. Fabhaus fabricated the 24" tall pedestal, complementing the artwork's presence.

We thank Garth Greenan Gallery, Fabhaus, and Smith's studio for their collaboration and trust. It was an honour to contribute to a work that stands as a lasting testament to Jaune Quick-to-See Smith's extraordinary vision and spirit.