Connecting Communities and Collections: Government of Nunavut’s Visit to WAG-Qaumajuq
These visits cover a lot of ground, from information on caring for collections and archival research, to exhibition planning and community engagement. This annual trip offers a collaborative space where knowledge, culture, and stories meet.
This year’s group included Brenda Setatak of the Pitquhirnikkut Ilihautiniq / Kitikmeot Heritage Society, from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Brenda was a first-time participant of this exchange and her reflections on the week drove home why these meetings are so important. “This week has been so wonderful and welcoming,” Brenda said.
One of the most meaningful parts of Brenda’s visit was time spent in the vault. For her, this was an opportunity to see objects connected to her own family heritage. She shared photos and stories with us connecting the works in our collection to her relatives, even identifying artists who had previously been unknown. She was also excited to hold artworks from her family members and study traditional clothing patterns, sharing that she would take these patterns home with her to make traditional garments. Another special highlight for her was seeing photographs of her husband’s grandmother and tracing her family’s migration from Alaska. This helped deepen her own connection to her family lineage and history.
There were pieces from my uncle that we didn’t know were here. Now, we do.
For Brenda, the visit was not just about professional development, it was deeply personal. She shared how she was able to send pictures from the WAG-Qaumajuq collection to family members. Brenda also shared photos from the 1970s of relatives such as Charlie Avakana who has artwork in the Gallery’s collection, which helps enhance artwork records. These moments highlight how museums can be places of rediscovery and connection across generations.
Brenda was also excited about returning home to implement new ideas. She spoke of envisioning an exhibition or a display within the community library in Cambridge Bay, inspired by what she learned. She hopes to incorporate archival research, family histories, and visual storytelling into local spaces. “Lots of ideas. I want to come back next year.”
WAG-Qaumajuq’s valued partnership with the Government of Nunavut continues to build bridges between northern and southern communities. These exchanges strengthen professional capacity in collections care while honouring the lived experiences and cultural knowledge that communities bring with them.
Through shared work in archives and collections, conversations across regions, and personal moments of recognition and remembrance, this partnership nurtures understanding, not only about museum practice, but about community, identity, and history.
One thought on "Connecting Communities and Collections: Government of Nunavut’s Visit to WAG-Qaumajuq"
Leave a Reply
More Stories
We hope you enjoy your visit to WAG-Qaumajuq! See our tips for visiting.
Being a participant in these workshops has always been a highlight. I was thrilled to see the excitement of participants when they find a loved ones piece and able to hold it and share the significance of the pieces.
Many in tears which in turn brings tears to your eyes, plus goosebumps.