My name is Johnny Bandura. I am a member of Qayqayt First Nations, otherwise known as New Westminster. I am looking forward to moving back to live on our traditional land in the summer(2025). Once there, I will join my family to in the fight for Indigenous sovereignty and recognition of our knowledge of how to live on this land. For more information about Qayqayt, see the NFB documentary by Eunhee Cha, Tribe of One.
I have been an artist.
Art and music have been my passion and essential to communicating in this complex and often nonsensical world. My mother is a painter and my father is a musician(guitarist), creating art came naturally to me. I spent time in Kamloops BC and Hay River N.T. while I was growing up. I never enjoyed (or did well)in school except art and gym. When I was younger I pursued a career in music and travelled across Canada and into the U.S. I continued to work on art; still drawing and painting. After a few years on the road, I left and I took a job working in the mining industry to focus on family. Over the last 10 years while raising a family and working, I was still creating art in my (rare) spare time. But like many others, my life changed due to COVID-19.
Like so many others during the last year, my work closed, I struggled with financial issues, my mental health and family members have had significant health issues.
To deal with the intense stress of the past year, I tried to keep busy while at home waiting to return to work and financial stability. As I was beginning to feel grounded, the news broke, the bodies of 215 children were found at Kamloops Indian Residential School (KIRS).I had to do something to honour the 215 children found. I started painting not knowing what would come next. I painted 215 portraits. Learn more about the portraits here.