Jacques Newashish

{{Short description|Canadian film actor, filmmaker, painter, and sculptor}}

File:Jacques Newashish in Pow-Pow in 2017.jpg

Jacques Newashish (born 1958) is a Canadian film actor, filmmaker, painter, and sculptor.{{cite web|url=http://formersite.nationnewsarchives.ca/streets-story-struggle-healing-redemption/|title=Before the Streets: A story of struggle, healing and redemption|work=The Nation|date=April 15, 2016|access-date=November 15, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=http://dictionnaire.espaceartactuel.com/en/artistes/newashish-jacques-1958/|title=NEWASHISH, Jacques (1958)|website=Dictionnaire historique de la sculpture québécoise au XXe siècle|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-23}} Newashish is a member of the Atikamekw nation and is from Wemotaci, Quebec.[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/indigenous-art-destroyed-montreal-1.4243230 "City workers accidentally destroyed artwork dedicated to missing and murdered Indigenous women"]. CBC News, August 11, 2017. He was born in La Tuque, Quebec where he learned traditional values and ways of living. His father was a trapper and hunter and a teacher of the language and culture of the Atikamekw people.{{Cite web|url=http://sacredfireproductions.ca/artist/jacques-newashish/|title=Jacques Newashish|website=Les Productions Feux Sacrés|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-24}} Newashish incorporates elements of Atikamekw culture into his artistic practice and is concerned with the preservation of the Atikamekw language and culture in the community.{{Cite web|url=http://ici.radio-canada.ca/info/videos/media-7784571/jacques-newashish-artiste-autochtone-multidisciplinaire|title=Jacques Newashish artiste autochtone multidisciplinaire|website=Radio-Canada|language=fr|access-date=2018-01-23}}

As a multidisciplinary artist, Newashish works across a variety of mediums, including sculpture, painting, film, and storytelling. His work includes installations which frequently use natural materials which reflect Atikamekw culture.

Newashish garnered a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 5th Canadian Screen Awards for his performance in Before the Streets (Avant les rues).[http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-artists-nominee-2017-csa-1.3939858 "Indigenous talent among 2017 Canadian Screen Award nominees"]. CBC News, September 17, 2017. In 2021 he appeared in the film Bootlegger, and in 2023 he appeared in Atikamekw Suns (Soleils Atikamekw).