The Indigenous Group of Seven Monument is located at the Bridgeview Lookout Tower in the Township of Nipigon in Ontario’s Superior Country. This installation is a monument to Indigenous Group of Seven artist, Norval Morrisseau, also known as Copper Thunder Bird, from the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation on the Sand Point reserve near Beardmore, Ontario. An original painting by Morrisseau entitled “Great Bear Spirit” can be seen at the Nipigon Public Library
The Indigenous Group of Seven, also known as the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. (PNIAI), was a collective of Indigenous artists who emerged in 1973 to challenge the mainstream perceptions of Indigenous art and bring their unique perspectives to the forefront of the Canadian art scene. Inspired by the original Group of Seven, these seven artists—Daphne Odjig, Alex Janvier, Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray, Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobiness, and Joseph Sanchez—blended traditional Indigenous art forms with contemporary styles, creating powerful and culturally significant artworks that celebrated Indigenous identity and heritage. Their groundbreaking contributions continue to shape and influence Indigenous art movements today.
