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Apr 30 2020

My Daily Art

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Theresie Tungilik speaks before the Winnipeg Art Gallery breaks ground for the new Inuit Centre in Winnipeg on Friday, May 25, 2018. Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press 2018.

After years of planning we were thrilled to break ground on the WAG Inuit Art Centre on May 25, 2018.

This would be the home to the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world, right next to the WAG. And they were all there at this historic groundbreaking – elected, appointed and hereditary officials from across the country from different parties, lands, and peoples. Senators, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Chiefs, Ministers, Elders, City Councillors, our Mayor, our Premier, and the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. And our community of supporters came out in force.

It was a hot day – 31 degrees Celsius – and I was soaked, but what I remember most was the genuine warmth and gratitude shared by those gathered. This game changing museum project had brought us all together here in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Treaty One, Metis Homeland – and to a place of understanding, respect, and reconciliation.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Theresie Tungilik speaks before the Winnipeg Art Gallery breaks ground for the new Inuit Centre in Winnipeg on Friday, May 25, 2018.
Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press 2018.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
The Winnipeg Art Gallery breaks ground for the new Inuit Centre in Winnipeg on Friday, May 25, 2018.
Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press 2018.

The Winnipeg Art Gallery breaks ground for the new Inuit Centre in Winnipeg on Friday, May 25, 2018.
Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press 2018.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
The Winnipeg Art Gallery breaks ground for the new Inuit Centre in Winnipeg on Friday, May 25, 2018.
Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press 2018.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Brian Pallister chums with people before the Winnipeg Art Gallery breaks ground for the new Inuit Centre in Winnipeg on Friday, May 25, 2018.
Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press 2018.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Mayor Brian Bowman speaks before the Winnipeg Art Gallery breaks ground for the new Inuit Centre in Winnipeg on Friday, May 25, 2018.
Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press 2018.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Grand Chief Sheila North speaks before the Winnipeg Art Gallery breaks ground for the new Inuit Centre in Winnipeg on Friday, May 25, 2018.
Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press 2018.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
The Winnipeg Art Gallery breaks ground for the new Inuit Centre in Winnipeg on Friday, May 25, 2018.
Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press 2018.

While the WAG is temporarily closed, this series of posts from Director & CEO, Dr. Stephen Borys, shares an artwork from the collection every day until the Gallery reopens. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or visit our stories section for this and more WAG@Home content.

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