Historical Work

The 1960s

24 Year old Duke in traditional war bonnet at his Indian Fort in Mirvish Village, Toronto 1963

Duke’s early career as an Indigenous Artist began in 1963 with the opening of Canada’s first Indian-promoted sale of Indian handcraft in the alleyway of what later became known as “Mirvish Village” in downtown Toronto.

In 1964 he entered the political realm and in 1966 founded the Canadian Youth Council. by 1967 Duke had become well known for his activism and wisdom. He was requested to appear in multiple NFB documentary films and began acting in theatre and appearing on screen.

Simultaneously, Duke began writing poetry.

“I soon realized that the only entree I had as an Indigenous person to the dominant culture was to become like an anthropologist learning the ways of another race. What I wanted to share from that experience came out naturally as poetry.”

Old Woman, I Am The Redman, My Moccassins, Little Leaf, My Lodge, and many more of his most famous poems came from this decade. And, it was because of his determination and advocacy that the Indigenous community had creative expression over the Indian Pavilion at Expo ‘67 in Montreal.

By the end of the decade, Duke was becoming very involved in the political struggles of the Indigenous people and in 1969, became the President of the Indian-Eskimo Association.

Duke Redbird's archives from the 60’s

The 1970s

Duke wearing his Native Country Label t-shirt at the Mariposa Festival in 1978

Throughout the 70s Duke continued in the political realm. He moved from his role as President of the Indian-Eskimo Association to the role of Vice-President of the Native Council of Canada in 1974. and In 1978, he stepped into his role as the Director of Land Claims Research for the Metis and Non-Status Indians Association.

During this time, he also began advancing his academic career, graduating with his Master’s Degree in interdisciplinary studies from york university in 1978. his thesis, we are metis was published by the end of the decade. His poetry was published in a number of anthologies and, in 1977, his poem ‘I am canadian’ was the inspiration for a multimedia musical production at a performance in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her Silver Jubilee in Toronto.

maintaining his status among toronto’s famous indigenous artists, Duke launched a record label called Native Country with his friend Shingoose that went on to produce a single that was (much later) nominated for a grammy in 2015. He directed two highly influential films: To Walk With Dignity (1972) and The Paradox of Norval Morrisseau (1974) and offered regular “Teach In’s” at schools with Chief Dan George and friend Alanis Obomsawin.

duke redbird's archives from the 70's

The 1980s

Duke in his office as President of the Metis and Non-Status Indian Association in 1982

The 80s’ were a highly political time for Duke, especially with respect to his participation in the Metis and Non-Status Indian fight for rights. He was negotiating with all levels of government and the private sector in relation to the advancement of bill c-31 which proposed modifications to various sections of the Indian Act, including significant changes to Indian status and band membership, with three major goals: to address gender discrimination of the Indian Act, to restore Indian status to those who had been forcibly enfranchised due to previous discriminatory provisions, and to allow bands to control their own band membership as a step towards self-government.

He was the President of the Ontario Metis and Non-Status Indian Association from 1980-1983, and it was in part due to his work and research during this time that set the grounds for bill c-31 to be passed in 1985. Soon thereafter, He made his exit from the political scene after becoming completely disenchanted with the corruption.

He focused his energies on art, music and poetry and In 1985, won the Valmiki Poetry Festival in Delhi, India with his poem Reincarnation. he later opened the Redbird Poetry Club in Toronto and In 1989, was commissioned by the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization to write poetry for their indigenous exhibitions.

Duke Redbird's Archives from the 80's

The 1990’s

The early 90s were a time of intense artistic expression for Duke. He was producing, directing and appearing in films, and painting his signature loons, herons and and canoe paddles in the traditional woodland style.

He opened his northern woodland retreat centre on Bark Lake just outside of bancroft where he offered traditional INDIGENOUS teachings, healings, ceremonies, and canoe tripping.

Then, In 1995 Duke was approached by Moses Znaimer, co-founder and former head of City TV (the first independent television station in Toronto), who offered him employment as a community Arts and Culture Reporter. Duke became a familiar face to torontians everywhere, all the while continuing to publish and perform his poetry, and produce and appear in film and television. he wrote and directed A Canoe in the Making, Blue Hawk, A Question of Justice, co-produced bruce Mcdonald’s dance me outside, and appeared in feature films such as The Promise, and The Shaman’s Source.

It was also in the 90s that Duke started Native Blend Fair Trade Coffee Brand, and opened his infamous bar on Queen Street East in Toronto, The Coloured Stone.

Duke Redbird's Archives from the 1990's

The Millennium

Elder Duke after his Induction ceremony in 2007.

Duke continued in his role as as an indigenous community reporter at city tv, while his academic influence grew throughout his community and the country.

the Native community honoured and recognized Duke as an elder and wisdom-keeper of the First Nations. He was Inducted by the respectable, late Elder VerN Harper in 2007.

It was during this decade that he began developing in his role as Elder and advisor to organizations such as Ontario college of art and design University of Toronto, York University, Jumblie’s Theatre, and IMAGINative film festival. Duke maintains his role with all of these organizations even today, along with a plethora of others to whom he is elder, advisor and counsellor.

He was also busy with his art and continued to produce poetry and be published in anthologies around the world, he began painting his infamous loons in the woodland style, and He produced, wrote and directed various films and TV shows. He also became a billiards trickshot master and opened his bar, the coloured stone in the east side of toronto’s queen street strip.

Duke Redbird's Archives from the 2000's