Lakehead Creates the Chief Roy Michano Series with 600+ Aboriginal Artworks Donated by George and Kelly Ward

(November 22, 2011 " Thunder Bay, ON) Colourful artwork graced the halls of historic PACI as Lakehead University gratefully accepted and displayed some of over 600+ pieces of Aboriginal art donated by local businessman and art collector George Ward and his wife Kelly Ward.

George and Kelly have been adding to their collection for decades and have purchased or received works by over a dozen artists, many of whom are children or relatives of famed Woodland artist Norval Morrisseau. The 25 artists represented in the collection are:

Francis Esquega (Sikkaasika) Ringo Fiddler Gelineau Fisher Waylon Goodwin Derek Harper Robert Kakegamic Lloyd Kakekapetum Eddie Kakepetum Roger Kakepetum Wally Kakepetum Morley Kakepetum Jayson Lucas Sinclair Sabourin

Paul McKay Jeff Monias Christian Morriseau Eugene Morriseau Benjamin Morrisseau Wolf Morrisseau Charlene Muckaday Eddy Munroe Perry Perrault Chris Sutherland Tim Tait Louis Vazquez

George Ward, who grew up in Geraldton, has always been close to the Northwestern Ontario Aboriginal art scene and began acquiring art pieces in the 1970s. George and Kelly Ward have great respect and admiration for Chief Roy Michano " a successful First Nations politician for over 30 years " and have named the collection in his honour as "The Chief Roy Michano Series."

"Chief Roy Michano is a good friend and valued political leader. I want to do something meaningful and significant to recognize and honour his contributions," says George Ward. "By giving this art collection that expresses Aboriginal culture and worldview so beautifully and evocatively, I hope that thousands of Lakehead students will be inspired and encouraged to pursue their dreams."

Currently the art is being catalogued and stored in a climate controlled facility, but Lakehead University Vice-Provost (Aboriginal Initiatives) Beverly Sabourin and donors George and Kelly Ward would like to see the collection on display at a proposed new Lakehead University building devoted to supporting Aboriginal learners " the Gichi Kendaasawin Centre.

"We are so grateful for this wonderful contribution of important Aboriginal Art from the Woodlands School,"says Beverly Sabourin. "It will provide inspiration to all of us at Lakehead as we work to create a centre that will support and nurture Aboriginal learners and showcase their vibrant culture."

Lakehead President Brian Stevenson agrees, "This generous art donation is a touchstone for Lakehead and a symbol of good things to come."

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Media: For more information please contact Janine Chiasson, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. Over 8,280 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.