Born Alexandre Simeon to one of the last hereditary chiefs on the Le Goff Reserve, the young Janvier was raised traditionally, and spoke the Dene language. Unlike many aboriginal artists of the era, he received formal training at what is now Calgary's Alberta College of Art, and then instructed for the University of Alberta Extension Department.

Janvier was appointed advisor for Expo '67's Indians of Canada Pavilion, and was a member of the Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporated, or the 'Indian Group of Seven.' Renowned for linear non-representational works which combine his knowledge of abstracted work in beads and quills with modernist Western sources, from 1961 to 1977 Janvier manifested his politicization by signing paintings with his treaty number.  He represented Canada (with Betty Goodwin) in a Canadian / Chinese cultural exchange (1985), and created murals for the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Québec (1989)."

© First Nations Art: An Introduction to Contemporary Native Art in Canada

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinberg, ON
Museum of Civilization, Gatineau, QC
Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
Montreal Museum of Fine Art, Montreal, QC
National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, ON
Glenbow Art Institute, Calgary, AB
Canada Council Art Bank, Ottawa, ON