Master muralist and abstract painter Alex Janvier was born on February 28, 1935 on the Cold Lake First Nations Reserve. He was one of 10 children of Harry and Mary Janvier. At 8 years of age he was sent away from his home in Cold Lake to the residential school in St. Paul where he took his first art classes.

His pride in his Dene Suline heritage shows in his art. His native pride, bright colour, and distinct curved line combinations are fundamental to his unique Modernism style. In 1973 Janvier joined the Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporated, or "The Indian Group of Seven" that included Daphne Odjig, Norval Morrisseau, Eddy Cobiness, Jackson Beardy, and Carl Ray to market and exhibit their work.

He has painted many world class murals. He completed painting of the ceiling dome mural in 1993 for the Canadian government, that one entitled 'Morning Star' is the showcase of The Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec. His paintings hang in galleries around the world and art part of the permanent collection at The McMichael Gallery reputed to have the best collection of original art in Canada. A very sought after native abstract artist. In 2007, Janvier was named a member of the Order of Canada.

In March 2008 Alex Janvier was awarded the prestigous GOVENOR GENERAL's AWARD for Visual Arts, the country's highest honour.

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