Cultural history takes center stage at the Union Gallery (UG) this September in Waabanjigaazo, the gallery’s fourth annual Indigenous art exhibition.
Running from Sept. 2 to Oct. 11, the show features artists from the Katarokwi region in a celebration of Indigenous culture and storytelling. Run by UG in partnership with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, the exhibit is part of a larger series of campus events leading up to the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.
Waabanjigaazo’s title translates from Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) to “s/he or it is seen.” For curator, Ojibwe, and Cree Ph.D candidate, Paige Van Tassel, ArtSci ’25, the word carries weight.
“Waabanjigaazo has a double meaning for visitors,” Van Tassel said in a statement to The Journal. “It asks them to reflect on Indigenous representation on campus, as well as consider past, present, and future actions by themselves and others to further the good work of Truth and Reconciliation.”
Van Tassel was invited by Alicia Boutlier, chief curator of Canadian historical art at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, to serve as the Indigenous exhibition series’ first guest curator. For Van Tassel, this is a vital addition. Guest curators allow “for future opportunity, and [are a] great experience for Indigenous students who are interested in storytelling through curation and engagement with Indigenous artists,” Van Tassel said.
This year’s exhibition includes work by Cheyan Athanasiou, Jada Beck, Shannon Bee, Jamaica Cass, Chayse Davey, Monique Gingras, Nitānis Greyeyes-Brant Barker, Candice Martin, Carleigh Candice Mignonne Milburn, Jaya Pardy, Emily Shostal, Niiostoséra:ah Thompson, Samantha Trask, and Shelley Young.
The gallery contained a wealth of different artistic styles and mediums—from acrylic paintings on canvas, such as the paintings like Mother and Child, Animikii, and Nookomis from artist Chayse Davey, to intricate beadwork, like the sculpture Biskaabiiyang (‘returning to ourselves’) by Carleigh Candice Mignonne Millburn.
The diversity of styles and mediums on display highlighted not only the artists’ technical skill but also the personal and cultural narratives behind each piece. Van Tassel explains how she worked closely with the artists to shape how their stories are presented, including information about how their own journeys inspired their works within each label of the artworks.
Visibility is important for Indigenous artwork like Waabanjigaazo. In the exhibition’s first panel, Van Tassel writes, “Seeing is the first step in any learning journey, especially in coming to understand the truth. Once it is seen, we know of it, then we learn about it, and lastly come to understand it.”
By featuring Indigenous artists and their stories, Waabanjigaazo invites the Kingston community to reflect on Indigenous presence and futures. “Any visitor that sees the exhibition is taking an actionable step in the Truth part of Reconciliation,” Van Tassel wrote.
Tags
Art, Culture, Indigenous Art, Union Gallery
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