Joe Fafard, an internationally acclaimed artist, was born on September 2, 1942, in Ste. Marthe, Saskatchewan, and passed away on March 16, 2019, on his farm near Lumsden. Known for his extraordinary contributions to the arts, Fafard's work has elevated the profile of Canadian art globally.

Joe Fafard earned his BFA from the University of Manitoba in 1966 and his MFA from Pennsylvania State University in 1968. He taught at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina from 1968 to 1974, and was a visiting lecturer at the University of California, Davis in 1980-1981. Throughout his life, he remained a dedicated full-time artist and sculptor, rooted in the Canadian Prairie.

Fafard's artwork has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums worldwide, including in the United States, Great Britain, France, and Japan. His innovative and impactful creations have positioned him as one of Canada’s leading visual artists.

Joe Fafard's numerous accolades include being named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1981, receiving the Architectural Institute of Canada Allied Arts Award in 1987, and being awarded honorary degrees from the University of Regina and the University of Manitoba. In 2002, he received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and in 2003, the National Prix Montfort. His lifetime achievements were further recognized with the Saskatchewan Arts Board Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Saskatchewan in 2012.