The vast majority of the WAG’s Indigenous collection—just over 12,000 objects—are carvings, drawings, prints, and textile work by Inuit artists such as Kiugak Ashoona, Oviloo Tunnillie, and Abraham Anghik Ruben. Located on Treaty No. 1 Territory, the homeland of the Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininiwak, Dakota, Dene, and Métis peoples, the WAG is focusing a growing collection of work by First Nations and Metis artists with strong ties to Manitoba, including Norval Morrisseau, Daphne Odjig, and Robert Houle. There is also increasing representation of younger generations of contemporary Indigenous artists from across Canada and beyond, such as Kent Monkman, K. C. Adams, Meryl McMaster, Ursula Johnson, Joi T. Arcand, and Jonathan Jones.
Works in the Collection
The Great Race
Colleen Cutschall, from the series Voice in the Blood, 1989 DetailsArctic Char (Iqaluk)
Unidentified artist, 1874–1892 DetailsDrum and Beater
Unidentified artist, n.d. DetailsDog Team, Bird Spirits and Animals
Unidentified artist, 1998 DetailsBird on Leg/Arm
Paniluk Qamanirq, 1966 DetailsMother Pulling Up Hood
Akeeaktashuk, 1953 DetailsSpirits Devouring Foxes
Kiakshuk, 1961 DetailsAncestral 5
Meryl McMaster, from the series Ancestral, 2008 DetailsSpirits at Play
Sakiassie Ragee, 1961 DetailsHunter and Polar Bear
Unidentified artist, 1965 DetailsEskimo Fishing Through Ice
Niviaqsi, 1959 DetailsCaribou
Joseph Pootoogook, 1958 DetailsUntitled
Anguhadluq, 1979 DetailsSpirits with huge Heads
Marie Talirq Apsaktaun, 1983 DetailsBirthing Scene
Ennutsiak, c. 1963 DetailsWAG-Qaumajuq is now open regular hours. See our safety measures here.