Winnipeg Art Gallery Introduces Indigenous-language Tours

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The Winnipeg Art Gallery is introducing self-guided and virtual tours in Indigenous languages starting June 21 on National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Gallery director Stephen Borys said the tours will allow everyone to experience "the beautiful languages that arose from this place."

"WAG-Qaumajuq has embarked on a journey alongside Indigenous nations towards a future where Indigenous languages are spoken, heard and celebrated in public spaces," he said. 

Project manager Casey Koyzcan, a Dene interdisciplinary artist, stitched together 360 photos of the gallery to create a navigable virtual space. In-person visitors can access the tours using QR codes.  

Koyzcan said the tours generate "worldwide accessibility and inclusivity" as viewers anywhere can virtually walk through the spaces, look at art and watch videos of language keepers and language learners.

The platform includes Indigenous languages commonly spoken in Manitoba and different dialects from Inuit Nunangat, which comprises the four northern regions where Inuit live.

Spaces in the gallery have names in Indigenous languages, including Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, Inuttitut, Anishinaabemowin, Nêhiyawêwin, Dakota, Anishininimowin, Michif and Dene. The names were selected by a group of Indigenous language keepers and elders who met virtually in 2020.

The project responds to Article 13 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, which lays out out Indigenous people's rights to their histories, languages and more.

“Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places and persons.” – Article 13, UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People

An upcoming tour that also embraces Indigenous languages will see Borys and Indigenous architect Dave Thomas highlight architectural features in the gallery.

Julia Lafreniere, head of Indigenous ways and equity at the gallery, called the tours "a step forward" in the resurgence of Indigenous languages.

"Celebrations of our languages must also be accompanied by action to ensure that these languages are heard, learned and used in our day-to-day lives," she said. 

"These languages arose from this land and carry a wealth of knowledge and philosophy."

Source: WAG-Qaumajuq