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Graham was born in 1938 at Fort Vermilion, Alberta, to a Cree mother and British father. In his early years, he lived in various centres in Alberta, Meander River, Fort Vermilion, and Peace River and farther north in Yellowknife, N.W.T. He spent
time with his Cree relatives practising the old way of life. Graham was most influenced by his Grandfather who was a herbalist and trapper, living a simple life close to nature until his death at about 100 years of age. Graham left school early to join
his father who was working in the Kitimat, British Columbia aluminium smelter. His father, a former R.A.F. pilot in World War II, told many stories of his early years in northern trading posts where he had learned Cree. When Graham became of age, he
joined the army and travelled across Canada. Returning to Alberta, he worked at various jobs throughout the province and across to the Great Lakes. Eventually he became a house and sign painter.
Graham had met A.Y. Jackson as a youth in
Yellowknife and had enjoyed sketching, so in 1965 he decided to attend the Alberta College of Art. After a year and a half, he was back on the road living in Victoria, Whitehorse, Queen Charlotte Islands, White Rock, and Fredericton. During this time
Graham was studying and sketching people. He also read and studied the Hippie, Black, and Red Power movements. Along with numerous books of sketches, his large brightly coloured paintings were perceptive social commentaries, with the use of hands as a
dominant theme.
Working as a child care worker with native children and spending time with a Nootka friend who was a former traditional dancer helped Graham re-establish his native roots in the seventies. In turn, he began woodcarving. Still
travelling throughout the countryside, he began carving canes out of local wood. He was awarded first prize in the cane division of the C.N.E. in 1980. He also carved fictitious portraits on wood burls, following natural contours and using what nature
provided for drama or humour.
By 1982, after encouragement from a friend and his brother, Graham began working in soapstone. He started to learn more about his Indian heritage and its symbolism. As with his woodcarvings, much of Graham's
inspiration comes from the existing shape of the rock. Common themes in Graham's work revolve around people, relationships, and ancient legends about the creator.
Graham now lives in the Caribou region of British Columbia with his wife
Virginia, a painter, and their three children Demian, Mikara, and Aaron.
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