Celebrating Nunavut Day 2017!

Twenty years ago on July 9th, Canada’s Parliament passed the Nunavut Act which set the stage for the creation of the Nunavut Territory that formally came into being on April 1, 1999.

Today we acknowledge the people of Nunavut as we celebrate this historic landmark, and we value our enduring relationships with the artists and their northern communities.

In recognition of Nunavut day, our gallery is featuring internationally-renowned artist Kananginak Pootoogook (RCA) from Cape Dorset who carved this marvelous Muskox.  He was one of the original four printermakers in the late 1950s from that region, and he mastered drawing, printmaking as well as carving stone.  He was instrumental in the formation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative and served for many years as President on the Board of Directors.

In the Inuit language, Oomingmak is “the hairy one” or more commonly known as the Muskox. They were considered an important food source for the Inuit and thought to have been particularly useful when Caribou was scarce. The nomadic Copper and Igulik Inuit hunters pursued Muskox from June to late fall. The Muskox are respected, as are all Arctic animals, by Inuit culture and traditions.

At Coastal Peoples Gallery, we’re proud to provide opportunities to everyone to learn about First Nations peoples; their heritage and the beautiful artworks that express their culture.

Please join us in wishing continued success to Canada’s newest territory on Nunavut Day!

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