Red Amautiit exhibit at Winnipeg Art Gallery commemorates missing and murdered Inuit women and girls - CBC.ca | Canada News Media
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Red Amautiit exhibit at Winnipeg Art Gallery commemorates missing and murdered Inuit women and girls – CBC.ca

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The Manitoba Inuit Association launched a “Red Amautiit” exhibition recently in Winnipeg.

The project came after the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Several Inuit women made amautiits to showcase at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Gayle Gruben, who works for the Manitoba Inuit Association (MIA) and was the project manager, said though she couldn’t attend the event due to illness, she did watch it virtually. 

“And it was spectacular,” she said. “The speakers … commended us on what we have done and what we were able to do for our Inuit who were impacted by missing and murdered women and girls.”

The amautiit is a traditional Inuit women’s parka used for carrying infants. The design of the amautiit differs across Inuit Nunangat, with some using different colours and embellishments. The “Red Amautiit” has become a symbol of remembrance of the Inuit women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people who have been lost to violence.

The opening of the exhibition was on the evening of Oct. 21 at the gallery’s Qaumajuq section. Gruben said her organization invited Inuit in the community along with dignitaries that supported them through the project. The exhibition runs until Nov. 7. Entry is free for Inuit.

Gruben said the exhibition was sort of an “end” component of the project.

The start of it came when the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls came to Manitoba in 2017 for family hearings. She said families had “urgently appealed” to MIA for support for family members. In response, MIA created a gathering place, which provided outreach, trauma-informed counselling, translation and cultural services, referrals, advocacy, traditional healing and other supports.

Gayle Gruben holds a poster reading “In honour of my mom, Sarah Ovayuak.” Gruben works for the Manitoba Inuit Association as director of missing Inuit children of residential schools. (Submitted by Gayle Gruben)

Through that engagement came a women’s sewing group in Winnipeg, Gruben said, which consisted of families and friends who were impacted by the MMIWG. The workshops provided a traditional way to grieve, Gruben said.

“So, as women experience and take part in their culture through Inuit sewing practices, they begin to feel safe and comfortable enough to speak about their experiences of losing their loved ones,” she said.

She said much of the funding for the project came from the federal government’s Women and Gender Equality Canada branch.

Though the Red Amautiit project is done, Gruben is still working to identify children who went to residential schools in Manitoba, and is starting a new role for MIA as the director of missing Inuit children of residential schools, a new program for the organization. 

She’ll be helping reach out to groups like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the University of Manitoba and the Hudson’s Bay company archives for possible information on Inuit children who may have attended any of the 18 former residential schools in Manitoba. 

“So we’re just waiting for agreements from various archival areas and information holders so that we may be able to start researching and creating a database of children who may have not made it home or may have perished,” she said.

Then, they’ll be working with families to get direction on how to proceed — for example, whether it’s repatriation or commemoration. 

“We want to ensure that no child is forgotten,” Gruben said. “And, if they didn’t make it home, that it’s important for us to work with the families to have something for them to have closure.”

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone  BBC.com



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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

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Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.

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