"The Hunter" - part of the Stewart Steinhauer exhibition "Indigenous Methodology and the Rock Grandfather."
The University of Alberta respectfully acknowledges the University of Alberta campus and its works of public art are located on Treaty 6 territory, a welcoming place for peoples from all around the world. We acknowledge that this territory is a traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Metis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/ Saulteaux/Anishinaabe, Inuit, and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our vibrant community.
Thursday, June 28: Update - The sculptures have been safely removed from campus. The original removal date was delayed due to weather and ground conditions.
Over the last eight months the temporary public art exhibition, "Indigenous Methodology and the Rock Grandfather" has been a welcome addition to the University of Alberta campus. The university has been working on an initiative to ensure more Indigenous art is acquired over time for public spaces at the University of Alberta - this temporary exhibition of sculptures by Steward Steinhauer is just the beginning.
These works of art were created by Indigenous granite carver, Stewart Steinhauer, from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in north-east Alberta. He believes he works as an assistant to a Cree cultural entity, a force called the Rock Grandfather, who lives in the skin on Mother Earth. These works of art will be returned to Steinhauer before they move on to their next locations.
The granite sculptures that make up this exhibition,The Hunter, The Big Bear is Right and The Eaglechild, originally came to campus in October 2017.
On Saturday, June 23 (weather permitting) the three works of art will be returned to the artist as was part of the original agreement with Steinhauer when they were installed on campus. This process will take into account the safety of faculty, staff and students as large cranes are involved in the moving of these sculptures.
Sculptures by Steinhauer will continue to have a presence on the university campus. There are currently three sculptures by the artists that are a part of the University of Alberta Art Collection. The Sweetgrass Bear, located in Quad on the north campus and a smaller version of Sweetgrass Bear is at Enterprise Square. Old Broken Number One is located on the Augustana campus in Camrose, Alberta and a new sculpture by Steinhauer is in the process of being acquired by Campus St. Jean.
To read more about these works of art, please read artist statements from Steward Steinhauer.