Kalum Teke Dan is a talented Blackfoot artist based in Calgary, with roots in the Blood Tribe of Southern Alberta. Over the last three decades, he has built an impressive portfolio, renowned for his striking portraits and expressive wildlife artwork. His pieces can be seen in a variety of private and public collections across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Kalum's early artistic journey was inspired by the incredible beadwork and traditional regalia created by his grandparents. This rich influence, along with his natural passion for art, guided him to primarily work with oils and watercolors. Though largely self-taught, Kalum’s paintings beautifully capture the spirit and strength of both the people and animals he depicts. His portraits, rooted in real-life inspiration, embody the pride and resilience of the Blackfoot people.

An experienced participant in pow-wows and traditional ceremonies, Kalum finds a wealth of artistic inspiration in his culture. He aims to honor and represent his people through his creations, much like the animals he portrays, striving to convey their essence on canvas.

Kalum's journey as a professional artist has taken him across Canada and the United States, where his work has been showcased in galleries and exhibitions. He has received numerous accolades, including first prize in the Peace Hills Trust Aboriginal Art competition in 2015 for his painting “Journey Home.” Additionally, he was an invited artist at the Vancouver Olympic Art Festival in 2010, further solidifying his status as one of the leading Indigenous artists of his generation.

From 2005 to 2007, Kalum co-owned and curated the Vision Quest Art Gallery, which played a vital role in bringing Indigenous art to a wider audience. His artwork has also been featured in Colouring It Forward’s Blackfoot Nation Art & Culture Colouring Book, as well as in calendars, journals, and even jigsaw puzzles. He thrives on collaboration with fellow artists and cultural leaders, notably through his multi-piece exhibit Niitsitapi Pi’kssíí (Blackfoot Fancy Beings), developed with the Alberta Society of Artists’ Traveling Exhibition Program (TREX). This meaningful exhibit, created alongside Blackfoot elder Pablo Russell and artist Ryan Jason Allen Willert, has traveled to schools, libraries, and community centers, helping to share Blackfoot culture with a broad audience.

In recent years, Kalum has been commissioned by the City of Calgary to create stunning large-scale murals for City Hall, the Downtown Library, and the Calgary City Police. His vast experience working with community groups, municipal organizations, esteemed corporations, and young people has earned him respect in the realm of public art projects, where he continues to inspire and educate through his artistic endeavors.

Today, Kalum Teke Dan stands as a prominent figure in the renaissance of Blackfoot art and culture. He remains busy with new projects, all while drawing from his heritage and the traditions of his ancestors.