Helen Christou Gallery
iinii
January 16 – March 21, 2026
Curator: Bryce Many Fingers
Compositional Works of Bison in the University Art Collection
This exhibition highlights artworks that are reminiscent of Bison from eras of the past and present. “Iinii,” being the Blackfoot word for Bison, offers a glimpse into some of the artworks of Bison found in the University of Lethbridge’s collection. Through the lens of multiple artists throughout Canada from both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous backgrounds, the images of bison all appear as one with the landscape where they have been represented through various mediums such as documentation, photography, illustrations, paintings, and storytelling.
In the summer of 2025, during my early days as the Indigenous Curatorial Assistant with the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery, I was encouraged to explore the University’s extensive art collection so that I may become more familiar with what was present and to pay attention to any subjects that I noticed formed a pattern. As a personal interest, I tend to always look for any works involving flora and fauna, as well as what, if any, Indigenous or Blackfoot artworks exist. What stood out most for me, subconsciously, were images of Bison. It took me some time to connect the dots between the University’s Blackfoot name, “Iniskim,” meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone, and the images of bison that I was drawn to. I realized no one had previously put together a display of existing artworks about bison and buffalo, and I wanted to see what this process would look like in a space like the Helen Christou Gallery.
As I became more familiar with some of the artists presented in this exhibition, and introduced to others, I was most excited to discover that the artworks have been created by artists of all backgrounds, time periods, differing styles, and their perceptions of the land. There is a great emphasis on Bison in Alberta, especially in relation to past and ongoing talks about their return to surrounding areas across what is so-called “Canada” and within Treaty 7. In my own artistic practice, Iinii matters to me as I have been told both by elders such as Leroy Little Bear and ecologists that they are a keystone species. I try to articulate this understanding through illustrations, storytelling, and embodying in my own day to day life.
Whether it be an eastern piece by Anishinaabe artist Norval Morrisseau from the University’s collection, or a western piece by Kainai artist Gerald Tailfeathers from the Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Buchanan Collection, both artists were able to position Bison within their traditional worldviews and have created the framework for other emerging or continuing artists to learn from. Throughout the university there are glimpses and discussions of Iinii, so this exhibition seeks to make Iinii even more visible, both visually and consciously, especially when moving head-on towards the future.
With much gratitude I would like to thank all the art gallery staff, especially Andrea, David, Jess, and Blaise for their guidance, patience, and friendship throughout this process. As my first curatorial exhibition such an experience proved to be such a smooth process thanks to their support.
Bryce Many Fingers / Singer
Indigenous Curatorial Assistant
