Thunderbird by Dave Pelletier

Item dimensions: 24"x36"
Reproduction

Cultural Background:  French/Cree & Nakota/Scottish, Saskatchewan

Dave Pelletier was born in Balcarres, raised in Lebret and later moved to Moose Jaw Saskatchewan in 1968, which has been home ever since. His parents were William Pelletier of Lebret, and Corinne McArthur from the White Bear Reserve in Saskatchewan.

Dave joined the military after high school, and returned back to Moose Jaw in 1977. In 1978, he trained at the Saskatchewan Technical Institute in Radio/TV Electronic Servicing and worked in that field for a couple of years. It was during that time; Dave became involved in Friendship Centres to eventually become Executive Director.  It was his involvement with the Friendship Centres that inspired his interest in his own background and led him to seek out the legends and stories of his culture. From there, he took the initiative to start his own business in 2003 – Moosgaw Arts & Gifts in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He began to pursue his own ideas and interpretation of the Indigenous world, along with the business model that a majority of products must be Indigenous.