Northern Artists, Southern Markets: Commercializing Inuit Art for the Artists

Jessica Kotierk is Manager/Curator of the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum in Iqaluit since 2019. She previously worked for the Nunavut Film Development Corporation. Ms. Kotierk is Inuk with family ties to Igloolik and has devoted her museum career to the preservation and curation of Inuit objects. Her diverse experiences have led her to various locations in Canada and abroad. She is currently a member of various boards such as the Alianait Entertainment Group Board, the Indigenous Heritage Circle Board, and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. She holds a bachelor’s degree in film studies from York University and a Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management diploma from Fleming College.

Theresie Tungilik was born on the sea ice during the month of March in an iglu while her parents were travelling by dog team to get to Nauyaat, from Harbour Islands, Nunavut. Her artistic parents have been her driving force to help other Inuit artists within Nunavut and Inuit Nunangat. Theresie is an artist and an Inuit art collector. Theresie’s artwork, her contribution to committees and boards, and her role as a Knowledge Keeper have enhanced her knowledge and ability to work towards helping and improving the lives of artists. 

Being a member of the Canadian Museums Association Reconciliation Council gave Theresie new insights regarding indigenization, Indigenous objects and creations, and the protection of such, through museums. Being on the Board at the Winnipeg Art Gallery–Qaumajuq, as well as an Inuit Traditional Knowledge Keeper on their Indigenous Advisory Circle, has seen the empowerment of Indigenous People to voice and ask for changes that are necessary for the Truth of Inuit art history to be told. The Indigenous Advisory Circle was integral to the establishment of Qaumajuq, and provided Indigenous input into how INUA, Qaumajuq’s inaugural exhibition, displays its Inuit art. 

Theresie has been a member of the Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC) National Board of Directors since 2017, and National President and Spokesperson since May 2023. Theresie has been a member of CARFAC’S Indigenous Advisory Circle for the Indigenous Protocols for the Visual Arts. Her main interest has always been the Artist’s Resale Right, as well as Indigenous Intellectual Property. Theresie was also the founder of the Inuit Art Society in Rankin Inlet, and within this organization she established Ivalu Ltd, a retail and production facility for traditional and Northern-themed arts and crafts, in 1992. The Inuit Art Society held its inaugural Kivalliq Arts & Crafts juried exhibition in 1994. 

Sarah Watson became Executive Director of La Guilde in 2023. Founded in 1906, La Guilde is a non-profit arts organization that offers exhibitions and activities focused on Indigenous art and contemporary craft. It also preserves a collection of over 1500 objects and works of art. In parallel, yet distinct from its non-profit mandate, La Guilde also supports artists through the promotion and sale of their work in the dedicated gallery space. Before joining La Guilde, Sarah Watson was the Director of ARTEXTE, a documentation and research center devoted to the study of contemporary art. Much of her career has been devoted to increasing community access and educational opportunities in museums and galleries, notably at the McCord Stewart Museum where she oversaw public programming and the development of the artist-in-residence program, at DHC/ART (now the Phi Foundation) where she developed and led learning programs, and the Musée d’art de Joliette, where she expanded online access to the permanent collection. She currently supports an institutional partnership with the Inuit Futures in Arts Leadership: The Pilimmaksarniq / Pijariuqsarniq Project, through which La Guilde presents exhibitions that expand visibility and markets for early career Inuit artist.