Robert DesJarlait (Endaso-Giizhik) is a painter, illustrator, writer, historian, and educator. His art career spans over four decades. As a young boy, he loved to draw and learned about drawing from his father, Patrick DesJarlait (1921-1972), considered one of the first modernists in Native American art. In 1984, Robert became active in art. His paintings appeared in numerous solo, group, and juried exhibitions. He taught Native art and art history at Lac Courte Oreilles Extension College, NAES Tribal College, Augsburg College, and as K-12 teacher at Heart of the Earth Survival School. In the late 1980s, DesJarlait’s illustrations were commissioned by American Indian Education Programs and American Indian agencies and organizations. In 1987, he illustrated “Sparrow Hawk,” by renown Minnesota writer Meridel Le Sueur (1900-1996). In the mid-1990s. Robert became involved as a community artist and completed murals on schools and buildings including the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center and Franklin Avenue Library.
In 2001, DesJarlait received a Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnic Studies. He worked for seven years as the program director of the Indian Child Welfare program for Ain Dah Yung. It marked a period (2002-2009) that took him away from his art. In 2013, Robert illustrated “The Creator’s Game” by Art Coulson. This period is marked by significant health issues including colon cancer (2013) and recurrence (2016). In 2019, he returned to fine art with his solo exhibition “Reemergence” at Two Rivers Gallery (Minneapolis), followed by solos at Duluth, Hinckley, St. Paul, Fond du Lac, and Bemidji. His work has been commissioned by tribal organizations and art agencies. and his work is in private and public collections.
DesJarlait is currently working as writer and illustrator for children’s books. His first work, “Mewinzha Aadizookaanag,” has a 2026 projected publishing date. He is also working on Woodland Manga, a manga graphic book with a 2027 publishing date. Robert is listed in Who’s Who in American Art (Marquis) and Reference Encyclopedia of the American Indian.
In 2001, DesJarlait received a Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnic Studies. He worked for seven years as the program director of the Indian Child Welfare program for Ain Dah Yung. It marked a period (2002-2009) that took him away from his art. In 2013, Robert illustrated “The Creator’s Game” by Art Coulson. This period is marked by significant health issues including colon cancer (2013) and recurrence (2016). In 2019, he returned to fine art with his solo exhibition “Reemergence” at Two Rivers Gallery (Minneapolis), followed by solos at Duluth, Hinckley, St. Paul, Fond du Lac, and Bemidji. His work has been commissioned by tribal organizations and art agencies. and his work is in private and public collections.
DesJarlait is currently working as writer and illustrator for children’s books. His first work, “Mewinzha Aadizookaanag,” has a 2026 projected publishing date. He is also working on Woodland Manga, a manga graphic book with a 2027 publishing date. Robert is listed in Who’s Who in American Art (Marquis) and Reference Encyclopedia of the American Indian.