"I have always been actively involved in the community development of First Nations cultural arts. My learning’s of the "Indigenous Creative Process" began in my early teens. This interest drew me to various locations around North America to study symbolic interpretation. Art, in all its hidden conceptions seems to me as a vehicle used to transport ideas beyond mere sight. Art in itself contains all viable possibilities in expressions. Perhaps it's easier to say, " I like to paint and experiment with creative processes." As it stands today I carry a versatility of art techniques and design development. These learning's have also allowed me to utilize art in a therapeutic manner with children and adults within the mosaic cultures"

Tribal Affiliation: Anishinaabek - Three Fires Confederacy  (Odawa/ Ojibwe - Potawatami Nations)Wikwemikong UnCeded Indian Reserve/ Cultural CapitalManitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada
Profile: ™ Artistic and Creative ™ Reliable
Education:
1990 - 93 Fine Arts/ Museum Study - Exhibition and Collections  Management, Institute of American Indian Arts, AA, Santa Fe, New Mexico,Deans List, Presidents List
Employment:
1997-2006 Curator, (February) Ojibwe Cultural Foundation Museum, M’Chigeeng First Nation, Responsibilities to manage all aspects of the museum, exhibit design and development, proposal writing, digitizing collections, conservation, public relations, community outreach, developing creative workshops, recruiting new and emerging artists. Repatriation Issues were a collective concern within the OCF community. * This position was not a straight run, but by contract.
1994-96 Cultural Consultant/First Nations Imagery in Theme Parks, Walt Disney Imagineering,Glendale, California(Responsibilities were to work with a team of First Nation consultants, travel Disney theme parks making appropriate cultural changes to script and visual imagery)
Awards   1993 Institute of American Indian Arts Museum Studies Award,(led to 2 year Internship with Walt Disney Imagineering)
Judge’s Choice Award, Manitoulin Art Tour Symposium, Ojibwe Cultural Foundation www.rainbooks.com
Member of the Aboriginal Curatorial Collective/ ACC Canada
Member of the Aboriginal Arts Administrators/ AAA Canada
Canada Council for the Arts – Juror 
          Ontario Crafts Council – Juror                                         1997 Ontario Arts Council - Juror

Internships
2006 National Museum of American Indian, Smithsonian, Washington DC
2002 Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull, Quebec
1994-96 Walt Disney Imagineering, Glendale, California
1990-93 Institute of American Indian Arts Museum/ between semesters
National and International Research and Promotions for the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation

2002 - State Historical Museum, St. Paul Minnesota, -        Mississippi Valley Archaeological Center, Wisconsin, - State Historical Collections, Springfield, Illinois, - Cahokia Interpretive Center, Collinsville, Illinois, - Civilization of Man Museum, Hull, Quebec
2001 - Linden Museum, Stuttgart, Germany
2000 - National Museum of The American Indian, Smithsonian, Washington, DC  - Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian, New York City, NY - Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, Ohio- Field Museum, Chicago, Ill - Ziibiwing Cultural Society, Saginaw, MI, - Mashantucket Pequot Museum, CN.,- Landesmuseum, Hanover, Germany, - Wisconsin State Museum, Madison, Wisconsin
1999 - MINOM, Salvador, Brazil, -Landesmuseum, Hanover, Germany, - Ontario Archaeological Society, - Ontario Historical Society, - Ontario Museum Association - WaWaTay News, Ontario, - Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, -Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull, Quebec

"Art for me is therapy for my living spirit. Throughout the many tangents of artistic development, I feel that I am registering images, thoughts and visions for the future generations of the First Nations People. What matters to me is the comfort level these projections give to the receiver. Art is a gift of historical recovery." michael

Artistic Endeavors of Michael Cywink
I have had the opportunity to work with Norval Morrisseau in 1979 as a colorist. I do have a list of exhibition work, as well as other artistic endeavors.  Please contact me should you be interested in reading it.  Respectfully, Michael.
 
 

2004. Espanola Pulp & Paper Art Festival, Viewers Choice Award, Espanola Ontario2006 Massey Street Painting Festival, 2^nd place Professional Artist Catagory
      Panelist
      2005 Kitigan Zibii Anishnabek Repatriation Symposium, Maniwaki, Qc
      2003,Aboriginal Curatorial Symposium – Banff Centre – Alberta, Canada, "Making A Noise"
      Professional Experience
      2008  Without The Language, Written and Illustrated by Michael Cywink, Rain Publishing, www.rainbooks.com
      2006   The Adventures of Crazy Turtle, Written and Illustrated by Michael Cywink, Rain Publishing,

MICHAEL "CY" CYWINK - CV 2008