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Dear Friends of Gallery Indigena,
As we celebrate Nunavut Day, we take this moment to honour the land, language, and people of Canada’s youngest territory — and the rich artistic traditions that continue to thrive in its 25 vibrant communities.
Nunavut is divided into three regions:
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Qikiqtaaluk, (formerly Baffin Island), home to Iqaluit, the territorial capital
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Kivalliq, located west of Hudson Bay, with Kangiqtiniq (Rankin Inlet) as its hub
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Kitikmeot, which stretches from the south and east of Victoria Island to the Boothia Peninsula, with Ikaluktutiak (Cambridge Bay) as its regional centre
In recent years, many Inuit communities have reclaimed their original Inuktitut names, honouring the deep cultural meaning rooted in the land, wildlife, and traditional stories. Here are just a few examples:
- Iqaluit (formerly Frobisher Bay) – “place of many fish”
- Kinngait (Cape Dorset) – “high undulating hills”
- Iglulik (Igloolik) – “place of houses” or “place of igloos”
- Arviat (Eskimo Point) – “place of the bowhead whale”
- Qamanituaq (Baker Lake) – “where the river widens”
- Sanikiluaq (Belcher Islands) – Named after a beloved hunter and community hero, Sandy Kiluaq
- Kimmirut (Lake Harbour) – “heel,” reflecting the land’s shape
- Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet) – “landing place” or “where Mittima is buried”
- Naujaat (Repulse Bay) – “nesting place for seagulls”
- Pangniqtuuk (Pangnirtung) – “place of the bull caribou”
- Uqsuqtuuq (Gjoa Haven) – “place of plenty of fat”
- Salliq (Coral Harbour) – “large, flat island in front of the mainland”
As author and artist Michael Kusugak from Naujaat so beautifully expressed:
“I have always had an aversion to English place names. They mean nothing to the people who live there. Why anybody would want the place where I grew up, Repulse Bay.... It is not repulsive in any way; it is a very beautiful place. We call it Naujaat. Nauja means “seagull” and Naujaat refers to the cliffs there where seagulls nest in summer. It is a much more fitting name than Repulse Bay.”
From Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada.
To mark this special occasion, Gallery Indigena is proud to feature a curated selection of sculptures by artists from across Nunavut — works that reflect the stories, spirit, and traditions of their communities.
For over 50 years, Gallery Indigena has been privileged to support and share Inuit art with collectors and admirers around the world. Your continued interest helps sustain the cultural legacy of Nunavut artists and their connection to the land.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
With gratitude,
Erla, Doug and Patti
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