Art Napoleon

Born in 1961 in the Saulteau First Nation on Moberly Lake, British Columbia, Art Napoleon was raised by his grandparents who taught him Cree, hunting, and fishing, along with traditional cooking techniques. He started working as a bush cook at the age of fifteen. Napoleon earned a Masters of Arts degree in Indigenous Language Revitalization from the University of Victoria. His career encompasses various roles, including former Chief of the Saulteau First Nation, where he provided cultural advisory on archaeological findings. He was also a leading figure in the protests against the Site C dam, advocating for Treaty 8 rights and helping to organize the Rocky Mountain Fort protest camp.

Napoleon’s television career began with the children’s show “Tiga Talks!” where he aimed to improve children’s language skills in Aboriginal languages. This led to his most recognized role as co-host and co-producer of “Moosemeat & Marmalade” starting in 2015, an international food series on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). The show, which received funding from organizations such as the Bell Fund and the Canadian Media Fund, juxtaposes Napoleon’s traditional bush cooking with classically-trained chef Dan Hayes’ style, exploring diverse culinary traditions throughout Canada and the United Kingdom. He translated each episode into Cree, emphasizing conservationism, food security, and sustainability.

In addition to his television work, Napoleon has a successful music career, releasing his debut album “Outta the Woods” in 1995. His album “Miyôskamin” (2006) received playtime on CBC and won two Aboriginal People’s Choice Awards. “Mocikan: Songs for Learning Cree” (2008) was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award, and “Siskabush Tales” (2008) won “best country album and best folk/acoustic album” at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. He later released “Creeland Covers” (2010), and with his children, Julian and Niska, formed The Napoleon Collective, releasing a self-titled album in 2012. Art Napoleon continues to utilize various platforms to promote and preserve Indigenous traditions and languages.