His “contemporary traditional Indian art” is iconic, showing people who grow like trees from their deep roots into the stars; people who are proud, strong, protective of their community of life and filled with humor and compassion. In a thousand ways, these people are just like Anishinabe artist and activist Sam English, who transformed from alcoholic despair into one of Native America's most highly regarded artists. Thirty years after embracing sobriety, the diabetes he has fought for a decade has taken its toll. Sam's energy to continue producing his extraordinary works of art is exhausted.

Sam’s gratitude for his recovery and recognition inspired him to give generously of his time and artwork to causes that support Indian Country’s recovery from historical trauma. In the PBS documentary Colores, he says, “My being an artist gives me the freedom to be involved with community. It gives me an opportunity to interact with my community. That gives me the energy to be creative about my community. It’s given me access to life, to be able to do this. To have people look at my art and like what I do, that grounds me. Reminds me of where I came from. Reminds me that I have a contribution to make to my community.” Indeed, there is hardly a single cause—from domestic violence and child protection, to alcoholism and diabetes—that Sam English has not given to and created art for.