Brian Francis
[ WABANAKI ARTIST: 2021, 2022, 2023 ]
Brian J. Francis of Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick is an accomplished director/writer and filmmaker. His major concern is the survival of the Mi’kmaq people and their culture. Brian is a Mi’kmaq language interpreter providing support to the general public as well as the parliament of Canada.
For many years, Brian has been involved in the arts, in music and visual art . Brian managed the Juno award-winning aboriginal recording artists, Eagle Feather. He was considered a pioneer in Aboriginal music production, bringing Native Music recording artists Eagle Feather to the Juno Awards. They were the first Aboriginal group to be nominated.
Since his entry into television Brian, has produced, directed, and written over 70 half hour documentaries along with two feature length documentaries.
His nature photographs are also very well appreciated and are the main subject of a publication entitled “ Between Two Worlds – Photographs and Spiritual Quotes by Brian J. Francis”. Brian maintains focused on his personal mission statement to “bring positive awareness of his people to mainstream Canada”. He spearheaded the development and production of the APTN series, Eastern Tide and Circle of Justice, which screened at 17 film festivals around the world, debuted at the Smithsonian Institute and aired on APTN, CBC and IFC. Brian then went on to direct The Sacred Sundance for National Film Board of Canada.
Brian's paintings are mainly a reflection and depiction of his dreams and visions . Highly spiritual in nature and deep in texture and colour. His paintings “come from” a different plane and often resonate with a deeply spiritually minded audience.