Lance Belanger is Maliceet from New Brunswick who stands out with his minimalist expression of a broad world view. He has curated at the Smithsonian institute. Raised primarily in New England, USA, Belanger returned to Canada to study at the Manitou Community College at La Macaza, Québec in 1976, and the University of Regina affiliate, the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College from 1977 to 1978. After working with various Canadian Native political organizations, Belanger committed full-time to his art practice in 1982, and became the first artist in residence at the Leighton colony, Banff School for Fine Arts. Initially a painter, his concerns for political relationships between art, science, and the interpretation of artifacts are manifested in acclaimed installation work. He has exhibited internationally since 1989.
Currently Lance is working with partner, Kitty Mikka.
During the residency they researched the history of the site and Metis historical events in the area. They located ancestors of the Metis who, with Louis Riel, blocked an attempt to survey the area. They returned to that site with a bowl they carved and the descendants of the protestors to honour Riel and the ancestors by making a smudge offering.
