Jackson Beardy was a Canadian First Nations artist and member of the Native Group of 7, an aboriginal artists alliance in Canada. They wished Aboriginal art to be recognised for its artistic merit within the cannon of Canadian Contemporary art, rather than emphasising its indigenous qualities. He studied commercial art at Winnipeg Vocational School, 1963-64 and at School of Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba.

His stylized early works often depict ancient Cree legends, first told to him by his grandmother. Whilst his later works, in vibrant, warm colours address more universal themes– such as the balance of nature, regeneration and growth and the interdependence of things.