Tom Vernon Hill, a member of the Seneca Nation from Six Nations, passed away on Saturday November 11, 2023.

Throughout his life he raised Indigenous art to international recognition by challenging the status quo in the 1960s and 70s. His efforts helped change attitudes towards Indigenous arts, helping perceptions to change to be seen as true mainstream contemporary art, not just as artifacts. Hill's legacy leaves big shoes to fill.

Because of his importance to the Six Nations and the greater Canadian community, CKRZ is featuring a three part series about Tom Hill as part of its Compelling Conversations series.  This is the first of the three parts.

Janis Monture, the CEO of the Canadian Museums Association says Hill also encouraged and empowered people, always making time for anyone. Naomi Johnson, the Executive Director at ImagineNative is grateful to have known him, saying "I'm sure glad here was here and I was here at the same time as him".

It was his humbleness, humour and self sacrifice that left people wishing they could have had more time with him before he passed. Heather George is the ED of Woodland Cultural Centre where Hill worked for 23 years, serving as Curator and Director. George says the Woodland Centre may remount the retrospective that was done on him in 2021. In the meantime,  the work being done by Janis, Naomi and George is the continuation of what Tom Hill started.

Listen to part one of this three part series below: