Inuit Studies Conference 2022: Auviqsaqtut

June 19-22, 2022
University of Winnipeg & Qaumajuq - Winnipeg Art Gallery
Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Inuit Futures in Arts Leadership: The Pilimmaksarniq / Pijariuqsarniq Project proudly presented the 22nd Inuit Studies Conference: Auviqsaqtut hosted on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in collaboration with the University of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq. The name of this year’s conference, Auviqsaqtuq [Ouuuv-vick-suk-took], can be translated to cutting blocks to make an iglu, or working together to build an iglu, evoking themes of collaboration, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, sharing intergenerational knowledge, and building something together.

 
 
 
 

After two years of significant isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we were especially thankful to host Auviqsaqtut in person welcoming over 800 participants including elders, researchers, professionals, artists, youth, and representatives from multiple Inuit and Indigenous communities. Auviqsaqtut provided a meaningful opportunity for the Inuit Futures Project to meet together in person for the first time since Fall, 2019. All current Ilinniaqtuit attended the conference along with a large contingent of Inuit Futures Mentors, partner organizations and several alumni. Ilinniaqtuit actively participated in the conference as panel moderators, presenters, workshop leaders, as well as attended presentations, keynotes, workshops, and performances. Inuit Futures alum Napatsi Folger, who is now the Outreach Coordinator and Inuit Art Foundation Liaison with Inuit Futures, led a workshop for Ilinniaqtuit on the process of writing for professional publications.


Throughout the conference, Ilinniaqtuit gathered with other Inuit youth, postsecondary students, artists, performers, and emerging researchers at The HIVE: Inuit Art Foundation & Inuit Futures Drop-in Space at the University of Winnipeg. The HIVE also served as a 2SLGBTQIA+ safe space where Indigenous participants could have tea every afternoon with Elder Levinia Nuqaalaq Brown and Inuk Outreach Worker, Maxine Anguk, from Tunngasugit - an Inuit-specific resource center based in Winnipeg. Levinia and Maxine, along with other Elders from across Inuit Nunangat, created a welcoming space full of positive affirmations where discussions could be had about queerness within the Inuit community, as well as identity as an Inuk.

 
 
 
 

Exhibitions

Inuit Futures collaborated with The Space Between Us, Aabijijiwan Media Lab, and Kishaadigeh Collaborative Research Centre to present two solo exhibitions at Gallery 1C03 at the University of Winnipeg during the conference. Katinngak featured sculptural installations by Inuit Futures Mentor Mark Igloliorte that examine themes of language, identity, and public space through repetition and experimentation within the arts and skateboard and snowboard culture. I’m Tired, a vinyl wall art installation by Inuit Futures’ 2021-22 Designer-in-Residence Mark Bennett, considers the prevalence of burnout within the arts and the importance of discussions around identity, community responsibility, and institutional pressures. Mark Igloliorte and Mark Bennett presented a joint artist talk during the conference where they shared insights on their respective processes and practices. Both exhibitions were curated by Anishinaabe independent curator and writer Francesca Hebert-Spence. 


Auviqsaqtut attendees were able to explore two additional exhibitions of Inuit art at WAG-Qaumajuq during the conference. Kakiniit Hivonighijotaa: Inuit Embodied Practices & Meanings, curated by Inuit Futures Ilinniaqtuk Aghalingiak with guidance from Mentor Jocelyn Piirainen, Associate Curator of Inuit Art at WAG-Qaumajuq, explores cultural reclamation, tradition, and cultural identity through the process of Inuit tattooing and its connection to shamanism. Zoe and Jocelyn gave a wonderfully detailed curatorial talk where they spoke about working together on Zoe’s first curatorial project, the process of selecting artworks, and the cultural knowledge brought forth through the exhibition. 

 

INUA: Inuit Nunangat Ungammuaktut Atautikkut (Inuit Moving Forward Together), curated by an all-Inuit team led by Dr. Heather Igloliorte (Nunatsiavut) with asinnajaq (Nunavik), Inuit Futures’ IIinniaqtuk, Krista Ulujuk Zawadski (Nunavut), and Kablusiak (Inuvialuit Nunangit Sannaiqtuaq), is the inaugural exhibition at Qaumajuq and has been on display since March 25, 2021. Three members of the curatorial team, Dr. Heather Igloliorte, Kablusiak, and Krista Ulujuk Zawadski, presented the Arts Keynote at WAG-Qaumajuq on National Indigenous People’s Day.

 
 
 
 

Programming

On June 21, Auviqsaqtut celebrated National Indigenous People’s Day with cultural activities throughout the day and an evening full of musical performances at WAG-Qaumajuq. NIPD marked the launch of Welcome to Qaumajuq: The New Inuit Art Centre, a Special Collector's Issue of the Inuit Art Quarterly. The afternoon launch party featured a captivating performance by Inuk classical singer Deantha Edmunds. A screening of selected short films from Pirruvik, the Arctic Arts Summit film program. Visitors to WAG-Qaumajuq were also treated to a preview of Pirruvik, a selection of short films from the Arctic Arts Summit film program. PIQSIQ kicked off the evening of musical performances, followed by Fawn Wood, Ivalu & Riit, Uyarakq, Leonard Sumner, and 2oolman from The Halluci Nation.

Presentations, panels, and roundtable discussions considered an extensive range of subjects centering Inuit including but not limited to: governance, research, gender, climate, environment, architecture, art, archives, identity, education, health, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, history, language, and Inuit homelands. The seven keynote presentations each addressed a different topic related to Inuit society, beginning with Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark’s opening keynote, followed by Governance & Reconciliation: Duane Smith, Youth: Annie Buscemi, Art: Dr. Heather Igloliorte, Kablusiak, and Krista Ulujuk Zawadski, Climate: Aka Niviâna, Health: Wayne Clark, and Language: Aluki Kotierk. An artist marketplace, book fair, and an exciting roster of workshops, cultural activities, performances, and social events, all provided opportunities for attendees to not only connect with one another throughout the conference, but for Inuit to nourish new and old relationships in multiple spaces specifically dedicated to Inuit and Indigenous participants only. The artist marketplace consisted of primarily Inuit artisans as well as Indigenous artisans who each displayed a dynamic range of items for purchase. Furthermore, Auviqsaqtut organized for artisans to receive both free admission to all conference events as well as 100% of the profits made from selling their works. The bookfair consisted of over ten vendors and information booths all of which featured Inuit-specific content including academic texts, children’s books, exhibition catalogs, as well free-swag and information materials centered around Inuit experience. Additionally, Auviqsaqtut was especially proud to offer the Kids Camp in partnership with the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq, where free food and culturally- specific activities were offered to children aged 6-12 years old throughout the duration of the conference. 

Please note, the opening keynote by Susan Aglukark was a private keynote for conference attendees and was therefore not recorded.