1943–1987
Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Plot L Lot 1919
Cecil Youngfox was a celebrated gay Ojibway and Métis artist whose vibrant works gave voice to Indigenous traditions and contemporary struggles. Born in a First Nations settlement near Blind River, Ont., Youngfox grew up in poverty, one of five children raised by a single mother. His early life was marked by hardship, including battles with addiction, but art became his path to healing and expression.
After studying at Newman Theological College in Alberta, Youngfox worked with people living with disabilities and later as a steelworker for Algoma Steel, painting in his spare time. In 1979, he moved to Toronto, deeply in debt but determined to succeed as an artist. His perseverance paid off; his works were exhibited throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and South America, earning him international acclaim.
Youngfox’s art blended myths, legends and social commentary, often highlighting Indigenous resilience. His painting “Returning” depicts women carrying papooses back to reserves, inspired by a 1986 federal bill that restored legal First Nation status to women who married non-status men. Another work, “In Search of Land,” shows three Indigenous figures walking past an undiscovered vein of gold, a poignant metaphor for lost opportunities.
Honoured with the Aboriginal Order of Canada, Youngfox donated a 30-piece collection to his hometown, ensuring his legacy endured. He passed away from cancer on February 24, 1987, at just 44 years old. His gravestone at Mount Pleasant Cemetery bears witness to a life devoted to art, identity and hope.
Sources:
• Mount Pleasant Group – Cecil Robert Youngfox
• Indigenous Foundations – UBC
• Cecil Youngfox – Wikipedia
