What was formerly known as the Inuit Art Centre is now called Qaumajuq, pronounced kow-ma-yourk or how-ma-yourq, Inuktitut for “it is bright, it is lit.” And in a true act of reconciliation, the circle gave the Winnipeg Art Gallery building an Ojibway name: Biindigin Biwaasaeyaah (pronounced BEEN- deh-gen Bi-WAH-say-yah), an Anishinaabemowin phrase meaning, “come on in, the dawn of light is here.” The names provide entry points into Indigenous traditional knowledge, reflecting the design and vision for the new centre and expanded WAG.

“I believe the new name of Qaumajuq will bring the curious ones to come and see, to want to know more about Inuit art and our history. The WAG made a very bold and much appreciated move by giving the building’s spaces Indigenous names, the first for a large institution. My hope is that others in Canada and around the world will follow the Gallery’s lead.” — Theresie Tungilik, Inuktitut Language Keeper and member of the WAG’s Board of Governors and Indigenous Advisory Circle.

This is an important step on the Gallery’s decolonization journey. Language preservation is directly referenced in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Article 13, as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, Number 14i.

Dr. Julie Nagam and Dr. Heather Igloliorte, co-chairs of the WAG Indigenous Advisory Circle, provided leadership throughout the initiative. Indigenous languages Inuktitut, Anishnaabemowin (Ojibway), Nêhiyawêwin (Cree), Dakota, Dene, and Michif (Métis) will now have a more powerful presence throughout the gallery’s spaces and welcome visitors to the WAG. 

“Seeing and using Indigenous names is a powerful thing, and the names help to assert Indigenous agency and authority. I believe the names will remind visitors that we are on Indigenous land.” — Krista Ulujuk Zawadski, Inuktitut Language Keeper, member of the WAG’s Indigenous Advisory Circle, and INUA co-curator.