Abe Kakepetum 1944-2019

Abe Kakepetum
1944 - 2019

Abe Kakepetum was born in Sandy Lake First Nation in the remote northwestern region of Ontario, Canada. A member of the Keewaywin First Nation, he has been painting since he was a child of nine years. Abe is a self taught Woodland artist.
His works depict images of his culture and his memories while growing up. Abe likes to teach others about the beautiful spiritual meaning and the traditional beliefs of his First Nation culture. The medium used to create his images is acrylic on canvas although, he has used his talent to create artwork on antlers, beaver skulls, wooden plates, and glass etchings. These images were reproduced on the famous La Parka by Linda Lundstrom after he won a contest to be the first Aboriginal artist to collaborate with her on her clothing line.
Abe has been interviewed on CBC National news and referred to as a “Bridge between two cultures”. His artwork is acclaimed worldwide. His work has been used in plays as a back drop, reproduced onto traditional drums, used as an e Christmas card for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and recently he won a competition and his work will be incorporated into the wall of the new court building in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Mr. Kakepetum is a man of many talents and is an accomplished musician as well. In the past he produced several gospel albums and tapes. He also produced songs of his culture which he co wrote with his wife Eva. Abe currently has gospel CDs and has been commissioned to produce jingles for radio.
Abe and his wife were commissioned to produce a book of his artwork and the teachings behind them for the Head Start Program for children up to three years of age. He and his wife are currently working on a book which will depict his images and the stories behind them (life’s teachings).