Case 7 Integration, forward

Known as the "Picasso of the North," Norval Morrisseau was a pioneer in integrating Indigenous art into the mainstream. His 1977 painting Man Changing into Thunderbird is a powerful illustration of his distinct Woodlands aesthetic and spiritual meaning. Morrisseau's artwork served as a means of gaining an understanding of Indigenous cultures for Canadian immigrants during the 20th century. The art market often presented Morrisseau's work as "exotic" or "mystical," which appealed to immigrant collectors who were looking to identify with something distinctively Canadian.

Viewers are usually prompted to consider how Indigenous culture is viewed and consumed by this painting. Man Changing into Thunderbird highlights both cultural recognition and erasure.It provides a lens through  the complex relationships between Indigenous spirituality and immigrant experiences.

This work can be seen as a sign of indigenous culture being embraced by Western society. To some extent it is superficial for a true indigenous culture, but undoubtedly it does present a vision of cultural integration and harmony to some extent. By fulfilling the viewer's imagination of this type of art, this painting is a perfect modern interpretation of indigenous peoples in the real sense of the word. It is certainly a form of “Assimilation”.