Three Chiefs by Wilfred Swampy
“Thus a Unique Artform was Born”
Sagkeeng Carvers
Sagkeeng First Nation is home to many talented artists. In the late 1970’s it was discovered through the carving of wood scraps, from the workers of a furniture factory, that they had some talented carvers. With the help of Illustrator Joe Land to bring their visions to life, the carvers then began making detailed and sculpted wood plaques that were sold all over the world.
Sagkeeng Furniture & Millwork Inc. was opened in 1977 when Chief Phil Fontaine accessed some funding from the Local Employment Assistance Program (LEAP) – a branch from the Department of Manpower & Indian Affairs. The Factory then hired Max Bossi, a master craftsman, first as a consultant, then he took over as general manager to oversee all the requirements to become an employee of Sagkeeng Furniture & Millwork Inc. and eventually developed the carving program.
