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Aug 14, '21 - Feb 6, '22
Naadohbii: To Draw Water reflects on international Indigenous connections to water – spiritually, environmentally, socially, and culturally, looking into collective histories and fragilities of the future.

Naadohbii (pronounced NAH-DOH-BEY) is from Anishinaabemowin language and translates as “to draw/seek water.” The name was gifted by Elder Dr. Mary Courchene. Featuring over 20 artists, including some newly commissioned pieces, Naadohbii: To Draw Water is tri-national, sharing interdisciplinary artwork from Turtle Island, Australia, and Aotearoa (New Zealand). This exhibition illustrates an axis of solidarity between Indigenous nations across the globe around environmental, political, and cultural traditions and interconnected relationships to water.

Women are traditional water carriers and givers of life. Indigenous Peoples continue to be profoundly linked to water for physical and spiritual wellbeing; rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans have an impact on the health of global communities, and our relationship to the natural world. Water has become a pressing concern for the larger global community.

Naadohbii: To Draw Water considers the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, recognizing the power of art in enacting change. This exhibition contributes dialogue towards water and our changing environment from an Indigenous perspective and with an international scope. Our world is profoundly linked to water in all forms for human and ecological survival. Water is sacred. Water is life.

 

Naadohbii: To Draw Water will be travelling to Pataka Museum next!

 

Watch the Virtual Opening

 

Artists

Christi Belcourt • Onaman Collective (Christi Belcourt and Isaac Murdoch) • Rebecca Belmore • Kevin Brownlee Lindsay Dobbin • Eshuguriak • Maria Hupfield • Mina Inuktalik • Marianne Nicolson William Noah • Jessie Oonark • Annie Oqaituq • Lukie Airut • Elisa Jane (Leecee) Carmichael • Dr. Vicki Couzens • Nici Cumpston • Ishmael Marika • Abraham Anghik Ruben • James Tylor • Regina Pilawuk Wilson • Israel Birch • Nikau Hindin • Jeremy Leatinu’u • Nova Paul • Rachael Rakena • Keri Whaitiri • Nelson Takkiruq

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WAG-Qaumajuq recognizes that land acknowledgements are part of an ongoing dialogue with Indigenous Nations, and we are grateful to live and work on these lands and waters. Institutionally, WAG-Qaumajuq is committed to acknowledging our colonial history and we are actively working to interrogate the Gallery’s colonial ways of being.

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