Nuvisi: Threading Our Beads at Qatiktalik

Inside the Hamlet Chambers in Igluligaarjuk. Mary Makpah beads the border of her saarut / saaruti, the beaded front panel of the tuili. After completing the sewing part of the workshop, Mary jumped right into beading. Despite not knowing how to bead prior to the workshop, Mary was easily one of the fastest and prolific beaders of the cohort. She is making the tuili and beadwork for her granddaughter.

Inside the Kivalliq Regional Visitor Centre in Rankin Inlet. Helen Iguptak (left) workshop instructor and Elder, explains the components of the tuili (the garment used by women as parkas and to carry babies on our backs) to our oldest student, Monica Ugjuk. Monica is a beader and participated in the workshop to learn how to sew the tuili. Monica says it is never too late to learn new things.

"Mia Mitiarjuk Greene at Qatiktalik," 2020. photograph by Krista Ulujuk Zawadski.

Nuvisi: Threading Our Beads at Qatiktalik

28 September – 12 December 2021
Curated by Krista Ulujuk Zawadski
Carleton University Art Gallery
Ottawa, ON

In this exhibition, Inuit Futures Ilinniaqtuk Krista Ulujuk Zawadski takes a close look at a particular place: Qatiktalik (Cape Fullerton). Located on the northern shores of western Hudson Bay, it was a vital hunting and traveling area for Inuit. Many Inuit draw connections to and share stories about this place today.

Qatiktalik’s “footprint” extends far beyond Inuit Nunaat. It has long been shaped by intertwining encounters between Inuit and outsiders. It was an overwintering site for American whalers at the turn of the 20th century and the location of a short-lived trading post and a police garrison.

Krista was raised in Igluligaarjuk (Chesterfield Inlet), the closest contemporary community to Qatiktalik. Her grandparents have a traditional family camp nearby, where she continues to spend extended periods of time with her children.

Nuvisi means “to thread something,” or “to thread the needle with thread.” In this exhibition, Krista explores how these places, people and histories are threaded to one another, at Qatiktalik.

Through photographs, cultural belongings, texts, artworks and stories, she explores how Inuit, including her family, engage with the place and with the cultural material that comes from there. Nuvisi demonstrates the connections Inuit make with this special place, and how such engagements with living history are powerful experiences.

Nuvisi: Threading Our Beads at Qatiktalik , Carleton University Art Gallery, Ottawa, ON, 2021.

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Nuvisi E-Publication