Qikiqtani Inuit Association Fulfills Remainder of $5 Million Pledge to Build Nunavut Inuit Heritage Centre
On October 11, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) confirmed that a pledge that began in 2017 to fund construction of a Nunavut Inuit Heritage Centre in Iqaluit, NU, will be fulfilled this year. A final installment of $1.5 million to the Inuit Heritage Trust (IHT) will complete the pledge of $5 million. Securing funding for the project marks a major milestone for Nunavut, which is the only territory left in Canada without a heritage centre. “This infrastructure will be an interactive space for Inuit to take ownership of their history and to share it on their own terms,” says Sakiasie Sowdlooapik, IHT President. According to the Nunavut Inuit Heritage Centre website, the new hub will span 5,500 square metres and will function as an exhibition and programming space that focuses on the continuity of Inuit culture and language as well as the preservation of cultural belongings.
Sobey Shortlist Exhibition Featuring Taqralik Partridge Opens at NGC
On October 4, an exhibition featuring artists shortlisted for the Sobey Art Award opened at the National Gallery of Canada (NGC). Among the shortlisted artists is writer, spoken-word poet, visual artist and curator Taqralik Partridge. She is the first artist to represent the newly created Circumpolar category. Her piece includes an amauti design from her community that hangs within an immersive multimedia installation. “...I’m just so honoured,” Partridge said at the Sobey Shortlist press conference on October 3. “I see my work as part of the contemporary Inuit art movement . . . I am blown away that I get to be part of it.” Other shortlisted artists are Mathieu Léger, Nico Williams, June Clark, Rhayne Vermette and Judy Chartrand. The exhibition is on view until April 6, 2025.
Rose Kirby Launches Memoir
Inuvialuk Elder Rose Kirby has released her memoir, Kunuuksayuukka: The Spirit of Winter Storms, published with Tusaayaksat magazine and the Inuvialuit Communications Society. Kunuuksayuukka is a story of Kirby’s early life, from living on the land, to being taken to residential school in Akłarvik, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, NT, and then moving to different DEW Line sites. Kirby recounts stories from her childhood, honouring the important lessons that she learned from Elders and family. Kirby had a long career as an educator in Fort McPherson, Akłarvik, Inuuvik and Paulatuuq. She then became an Inuvialuktun language specialist for the local education board and currently resides in Inuuvik, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, NT. An official book launch was held on September 15, featuring a reading by Kirby and a Q&A period. All Inuvialuit households within the ISR are entitled to receive one free copy of the book.
Manasie Akpaliapik Show Opens at McCord Museum
The McCord Stewart Museum in Montreal, QC, presents Inuit Universe, a touring solo exhibition of artist Manasie Akpaliapik’s work. Akpaliakpik was born in a hunting camp near Ikpiarjuk (Arctic Bay), NU, and currently splits his time between Montreal, QC, and Ottawa, ON. He is known for his highly detailed sculptures depicting the relationship between humans and animals made from materials such as whale bone, and his work is found in the collections of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, QC; Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec in Québec City, QC; and the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, ON, among others. In 2023 he was longlisted for the Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award. Inuit Universe was originally produced by the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec and features 40 sculptures from Raymond Brousseau’s collection, giving viewers a look into Akpaliapik’s work. The show is on view until March 9, 2025.
Oo Kierstead Selected to Participate in the DARC Indigenous Residency
Digital Arts Resource Centre (DARC) has announced reporter, producer and editor Oo Kierstead as the participant of the 2024 Indigenous Residency program. Presented with the Hnatyshyn Foundation, the residency is a one-month intensive artist residency open to mid-career Indigenous artists in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. Artists-in-residence will receive access to DARC’s facilities, time with artistic advisers and $2,000. As part of the residency, Kierstead is working on an animation and digital media project titled Inuit Hand Stand, which features recording of throat singing and digital GIF creation. Musician and filmmaker Geronimo Inutiq will be Kierstead’s Indigenous art consultant throughout the residency. Following the residency, Kierstead will participate in an artist talk to discuss her practice and share her work.
Lucy Qinnuayuak Solo Show Opens at the Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has opened a solo exhibition of works by graphic artist Lucy Qinnuayuak (1915–1982). From Kinngait, NU, Qinnuayuak was among the first artists to create graphic work at Kinngait Studios. Her works often feature colourful depictions of birds and scenes of domestic life and are held in institutions like the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, ON, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq in Manitoba. Toward the end of her life, Qinnuayuak expanded her artistic practice to include acrylic painting and began to create mixed-media works. This exhibition will feature 20 works, including prints and drawings, and is curated by Emily Henderson, former AGO Curatorial Assistant, Indigenous & Canadian Art and current Associate Curator, Indigenous Art and Culture at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
An Inuit Art Cooperative in Canadian Great North Opens at the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris
On October 2, the exhibition An Inuit Art Cooperative in Canadian Great North opened at the Canadian Cultural Centre (CCC) in Paris, France. Curated by Catherine Bédard and organized in partnership with the West Baffin Cooperative in Kinngait, NU, this exhibition builds on the CCC’s 2013 exhibition Fantastic Kenojuak Ashevak. It features a new set of prints from the Claude Baud and Michel Jacot collection and new works by Shuvinai Ashoona, RCA. Other artists included in the exhibition are Ningiukulu Teevee, Oviloo Tunnillie, RCA, and Qavavau Manumie, among others. An Inuit Cooperative in Canadian Great North is on view until January 17, 2025.