Philip Cote, MFA of Moose Deer Point First Nation is a Young Spiritual Elder, Indigenous Artist, Activist, Educator, Historian and Ancestral Knowledge Keeper.

Citing all of his ancestry, he is Shawnee, Lakota, Potawatomi, Ojibway, Algonquin, Mississauga and Mohawk. Philip is the 7th Generation Great-Grandson of Shawnee Warrior and Leader Tecumseh, and his ancestor Amelia Chechok is the Grand Daughter of Chechok, who was the first signer of The Toronto Purchase of 1805.

A graduate of OCAD University’s Interdisciplinary Art Media and Design Masters program, Cote has been exploring ancient ways of communicating Ancestral Knowledge through Mural Painting and Oral Traditions of Storytelling and their Spiritual Cosmology. Cote studied Beaux-Arts Style painting/drawing at OCAD under the direction of Carmen Cereceda Bianchi (Diego Rivera’s longtime mural assistant). Philip has also collaborated with numerous World-Renowned Mural Artists.

He is engaged in creating opportunities for art-making and teaching methodologies through Indigenous symbolism, traditional ceremonies, history, oral stories, and land-based pedagogy. His art and teaching philosophy evolves from his practice of experiential learning and the transmission of Indigenous Knowledge.

Philip Cote emphasizes the resurgent power of nature and the importance of listening to Indigenous teachings through his Mural Art. Philip has created public artworks for the Mississauga’s of the New Credit First Nation (Kiinwin Dabaadjmowin “Our Story”, a 1000 square foot mural), Fort York National Historic Site (Niinwin Dabaadjmowin “We Are Talking”, a 20 panel, 80 foot mural), and the City of Toronto (The Nindinawemaaganidok “All My Relations”, a 1600 square foot mural). In late 2017, Philip received a grant from the Toronto Arts Council to create a mural based on the Niagara Treaty of 1764 for Massey College, University of Toronto with the theme of Truth and Reconciliation/Canada 150. Also in 2017 he painted the “Indigenous History of the Land” at Spadina & Dupont and “Resurge: First Timeline” at the Humber River. In early 2019, he created a large 120 Foot x 37 Foot Mural entitled “The Original Family” for CentreCourt Condos in Toronto, and also “The Gathering of The Clans” Mural for the Boardroom Table at Rogers Communications Inc. Head Office at 1 Mount Pleasant Road. Most recently, Philip painted a Mural on the Facade of The Bickford Learning Centre (located at 777 Bloor Street West) depicting The Thunderbird who is the Co-Creator (the one who reminds us of where we get our gifts from), and The Turtle (which teaches us about the 13 Moons), and The White Buffalo (which is connected to the Sacred Pipe).

Cote has been a tour guide with First Story since 1999, a three-hour tour providing an Indigenous history of Toronto uncovering the last 13,500 years. Cote’s academic practice includes public speaking, land acknowledgements, Indigenous Cosmology and cultural interpretation offered at The Art Gallery of Ontario, The McMichael Canadian Art Collection Art Gallery, The Royal Ontario Museum, York University, The French School Board, The Catholic School Board, The University of Toronto, U of T Mississauga Campus, Ryerson University, Six Nations Polytechnic, OCAD University, The Peel District School Board, and the Toronto District School Board through the Aboriginal Education Centre.

Currently Philip is working on a large-scale Mural for Suncor Energy, Scotia Bank Central (location at Bay & Queen), and the MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.) Launch Pad in Toronto.

Philip has won numerous TABIA awards for his public Street Art Murals Across the City of Toronto.