With one foot in the world of his ancestral people, & the other in the realm of Canadian society, Frederick R McDonald paints from a unique perspective & uses his art to convey a First Nations message to viewers & readers. This is an illustrated retrospective of the life & art of Woodland Cree painter, Frederick R McDonald.

Ancestral Portraits is a retrospective of the art and life of Frederick R. McDonald, one of Alberta's most exciting Alberta First Nations artists working today, and a celebration of a rich Cree heritage. With one foot in the world of his ancestral peoples, and the other in the realm of contemporary Canadian society, McDonald paints from a unique perspective and uses his art to communicate the culture and spirituality of his ancestors. As the first book in the Art in Profile series, Ancestral Portraits is a journey into the creative world of one of Canada's up and coming First Nations artists.