Ernie Scoles

Ernie Scoles is a Nehiyawak (Cree) artist and a member of the Barren Lands First Nation. Born in 1962 in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Scoles was raised in Northern Manitoba. His early years were spent exploring the regional landscape, where he developed a foundational interest in nature and wildlife. This upbringing informed his artistic practice, which focuses on the depiction of animals and the spiritual relationship between living things and the environment.

Scoles began his formal career in the arts during the mid 1980s. While living in Winnipeg, he met Isaac Bignell, a prominent Indigenous artist who became his mentor and close friend. Bignell introduced Scoles to the technical aspects of painting and the Woodland style of imagery. Scoles also cites other significant figures as influences on his development, including Alex Janvier and Dale Auger. His work typically utilizes acrylics on canvas or paper and frequently incorporates traditional symbols and motifs of his Cree heritage.

Throughout his career, Scoles has participated in several notable public exhibitions. In 1999, Wanuskewin Heritage Park hosted a fifteen year retrospective of his work titled The Spirit Abounds. His paintings have also been exhibited at the Manitoba Legislative Building and the University of Manitoba. In 2003, his work was included in the Grand Jury 7 exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, a major public institution in Western Canada.

In addition to his studio practice, Scoles has received national recognition for his community contributions. In 1992, he was awarded the Governor General’s Canada 125 Medal. A decade later, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. These honours recognized both his artistic output and his efforts in supporting Indigenous youth and fellow artists.

Scoles established Scoles Fine Arts and Framing in Saskatoon in 2000, where he continues to work and provide mentorship to emerging artists. His work is held in various public and institutional collections, including the Ontario Provincial Parks and several First Nations organizations across the Canadian Prairies. He currently resides and maintains his practice in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.