Wanda Nanibush facts for kids

Wanda Nanibush (born 1976) is an Anishinaabe curator, artist, and educator. She lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From 2016 to 2023, she was the first curator of Indigenous Art at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).

In 2023, Nanibush won the Toronto Book Award. She won it for her book Moving the Museum. She wrote this book with Georgiana Uhlyarik, another curator from the AGO. She also helped choose the winner for the 2023 Sobey Art Award.

Wanda Nanibush's Career

Wanda Nanibush is a member of the Beausoleil First Nation. She earned a master's degree in visual studies from the University of Toronto. She also worked as a Curator in Residence at the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery. This means she was a special guest curator there.

Nanibush has worked closely with Rebecca Belmore, an Anishinaabe artist. She organized several shows featuring Belmore's art. These included KWE: Photography, Sculpture, Video and Performance by Rebecca Belmore in 2014. She also curated Rebecca Belmore: Facing the Monumental in 2018. This show looked at 30 years of Belmore's art at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Nanibush has been active in community organizing. She took part in protests against the Iraq War. She also spoke out against uranium processing. She worked to raise awareness about racism and education. She helped organize talks for Idle No More Toronto. These talks aimed to educate people.

In 2025, she was a visiting professor at the City University of New York. She taught about curating art.

Working at the Art Gallery of Ontario

Wanda Nanibush started at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in 2016. She was an assistant curator for Canadian and Indigenous Art. Her first project at the AGO was Toronto: Tributes + Tributaries, 1971–1989. For this show, she added a land acknowledgment in Anishinaabemowin. This text recognized Toronto as traditional Indigenous territory. The exhibition featured over 120 artists. It also included a film festival and performance art.

In 2017, Nanibush and Georgiana Uhlyarik changed the name of the Canadian Art department. They renamed it the Department of Indigenous and Canadian Art. They created a new way for Indigenous and Canadian art to share power. Nanibush created a new Indigenous Curator position. She co-led the department with Georgiana Uhlyarik.

They made many changes to how art was shown. For example, they renamed a 1929 painting by Emily Carr. It was called The Indian Church. They renamed it Church in Yuquot Village. This happened 73 years after Carr's death. They also made Indigenous art central in the McLean Centre for Indigenous and Canadian Art. This center now has texts in Anishinabemowin and Inuktitute. It also includes other First Nations languages.

Since becoming the curator of Indigenous Art, Nanibush had a big impact. Nearly one-third of the artists featured at the AGO were Indigenous. In 2018, the New York Times wrote about these changes. They called Nanibush "one of the most powerful voices for Indigenous culture."

Wanda Nanibush's Departure from AGO

Wanda Nanibush left the AGO in late November 2023. The AGO said it was a "mutual decision." However, her departure happened after a group called Israel Museum and Arts, Canada (IMAAC) complained. This complaint was sent to the AGO in mid-October 2023.

Nanibush had spoken publicly about her support for the Palestinian cause. She connected the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada to those of Palestinians. This stance caused strong criticism from some groups. These included people within the AGO and IMAAC. IMAAC's letter said Nanibush's comments were "inflammatory" and "inaccurate."

Nanibush's departure led to criticism about censorship in Canadian art. Many important people in the art world supported her. These included Lucy Bell, a Haida curator. Artist Dr. Jamelie Hassan also showed support. Candice Hopkins, a Tlingit curator, did too.

On November 28, 2023, an open letter was signed by over 50 Indigenous cultural leaders. They included Shelley Niro and Greg A. Hill. The letter criticized the AGO's "decision to erase Nanibush’s institutional presence." It also spoke about "systemic discrimination, racism and subsequent stress" faced by Indigenous people in art institutions. The letter asked the AGO to "review and revise" its practices. It called for the AGO to truly support decolonization.

On the same day, 44 winners of the Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts spoke out. They said they were "alarmed and disapproved" of Nanibush's departure. They called it "an act of political censorship." They said it damaged the AGO's reputation.

An open letter signed by over 3500 artists and cultural workers called for a boycott of the AGO. This was in response to Nanibush's departure.

On November 30, 2023, AGO Director Stephan Jost responded. He said he was "taking this seriously." He knew trust needed to be rebuilt. He said the institution would "deeply review and reflect" on its commitments. An anonymous group, AGO, NO, continues to document the controversy.

As of January 2024, Nanibush had not commented publicly on her departure. This was due to the terms of her leave.

Other Activities

In 2024, Nanibush was part of the jury for the first Munch Award. This jury chose Rosana Paulino as the winner.

Curated Exhibitions

Wanda Nanibush has curated many art exhibitions. Here are some of them:

• Robert Houle, Red is Beautiful, organized by AGO (2022). This show traveled to other galleries.
• Rosalie Favell, Portraits of Desire, AGO (June 23, 2023 - April 21, 2024).
• Radical Remembrance: The Sculptures of David Ruben Piqtoukun, AGO (January 21 - June 25, 2023).
• Shuvinai Ashoona Beyond the Visible, AGO (2021).
• Rebecca Belmore, Turbulent Water (2021). This was Rebecca Belmore's first solo show in Australia.
• Bill Nasogaluak, AGO (December 18, 2021 - ongoing).
• Karoo Ashevak, AGO (2019-2021).
• Michael Belmore, AGO (September 26, 2020 - November 21, 2021).
• Sandra Brewster, BLUR, (AGO) (April, 2020 -September 13, 2020).
• Peter Pitseolak, AGO (2018-2020).
• Rebecca Belmore: Facing the Monumental, organized by the AGO (2018). This show traveled to other museums.
• June Clark, AGO (June 30, 2018 - Dec 9, 2018).
• Nanabozho's Sisters, Dalhousie Art Gallery (October 12 - November, 2018).
• McLean Centre for Indigenous and Canadian Art, AGO (2018-2023).
• Sovereign Acts II, Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery (2017). This show traveled to many galleries.
• Rita Letendre, Fire & Light, co-curated with Georgiana Uhlyarik, AGO.
• The Fifth World, Mendel Art Gallery (2015). This show traveled to Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery.
• KWE: Photography, Sculpture, Video and Performance by Rebecca Belmore, Justina M. Barnicke Gallery (2014).
• Sovereign Acts, Justina M Barnicke gallery (April 18 - May 27, 2012). This show traveled to other galleries.

Awards and Honours

• 2023: Toronto Book Award for Moving the Museum.
• 2024: Hnatyshyn Foundation Mid-Career Award for curatorial excellence.