Wanda Nanibush facts for kids

Wanda Nanibush (born 1976) is an Anishinaabe curator, artist, and educator. She lives in Toronto, Ontario. 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 received it for her book Moving the Museum. She wrote this book with Georgiana Uhlyarik, another curator from the AGO.

Wanda Nanibush's Career

Wanda Nanibush is a member of the Beausoleil First Nation. She earned a master's degree in visual studies. She studied at the University of Toronto. She also worked as a Curator in Residence at the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery.

Nanibush has worked closely with Rebecca Belmore, an Anishinaabe artist. She has organized several shows featuring Belmore's art. These include KWE: Photography, Sculpture, Video and Performance by Rebecca Belmore in 2014. Another big show was Rebecca Belmore: Facing the Monumental in 2018. This show looked at 30 years of Belmore's artwork.

Nanibush is also active in her community. She has helped organize events for Idle No More Toronto. This group works to educate people about Indigenous rights. She also raises awareness about how racism can affect education.

In 2025, she will be a visiting professor. She will teach about curating at the City University of New York.

Working at the Art Gallery of Ontario

Wanda Nanibush started at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in 2016. Her first job was as an assistant curator. She worked in the department of Canadian and Indigenous Art.

Her first project at the AGO was an exhibition called Toronto: Tributes + Tributaries, 1971–1989. For this show, she added a land acknowledgment in Anishinaabemowin. This text recognized Toronto as traditional Indigenous territory. It was placed alongside English and French texts. The exhibition featured over 120 artists. It also included a film festival and performance art.

In 2017, Nanibush and Georgiana Uhlyarik made a big change. They renamed the department of Canadian Art. It became the department of Indigenous and Canadian Art. They also created a new way of working together. This was called a "nation to nation" model. It means sharing power and working as equals. Nanibush created a new Indigenous Curator position. She co-led the department with Georgiana Uhlyarik.

Together, they made important changes to how art is shown. For example, they renamed a famous 1929 painting by Emily Carr. It was called The Indian Church. They renamed it Church in Yuquot Village. They also made Indigenous art a main focus. This was done in the renamed McLean Centre for Indigenous and Canadian Art. This center now has texts in many Indigenous languages. These include Anishinabemowin and Inuktitut.

Since Nanibush became the curator of Indigenous Art, more Indigenous artists have been featured. Nearly one-third of the artists at the AGO are Indigenous. In 2018, the New York Times newspaper wrote about these changes. It called Nanibush "one of the most powerful voices for Indigenous culture in the North American art world."

Leaving the Art Gallery of Ontario

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) sent a complaint. This complaint was sent to the AGO in mid-October 2023.

Nanibush had spoken publicly about her support for the Palestinian people. She connected their experiences to those of Indigenous peoples in Canada. This view caused strong criticism from some groups.

Many important people in the art world supported Nanibush. They included Lucy Bell, a Haida curator. Artist Dr. Jamelie Hassan also showed support. Candice Hopkins, a Tlingit curator, did too. On November 28, 2023, over 50 Indigenous cultural leaders signed an open letter. They criticized the AGO's decision. They said it harmed Indigenous people working in art institutions. They asked the AGO to review its policies. They wanted the AGO to truly support Indigenous ways of thinking.

On the same day, 44 winners of the Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts spoke out. They said Nanibush's departure was "political censorship." They felt it damaged the AGO's reputation. An open letter signed by over 3500 artists and cultural workers called for a boycott of the AGO.

On November 30, 2023, the AGO's Director, Stephan Jost, made a public statement. He said he was taking the concerns seriously. He knew trust needed to be rebuilt. He also said the institution would "deeply review and reflect" on its commitments. An anonymous group called AGO, NO, continues to track the ongoing situation.

As of January 2024, Nanibush has not spoken publicly about leaving. This is due to the terms of her departure.

Exhibitions Curated by Wanda Nanibush

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

• Robert Houle, Red is Beautiful, AGO (2022). This show traveled to other galleries.
• Rosalie Favell, Portraits of Desire, AGO (2023-2024).
• Radical Remembrance: The Sculptures of David Ruben Piqtoukun, AGO (2023).
• Shuvinai Ashoona Beyond the Visible, AGO (2021).
• Rebecca Belmore, Turbulent Water, co-curated (2021). This was Belmore's first solo show in Australia.
• Bill Nasogaluak, AGO (2021-ongoing).
• Karoo Ashevak, AGO (2019-2021).
• Rebecca Belmore: Facing the Monumental, AGO (2018). This show traveled to other museums.
• McLean Centre for Indigenous and Canadian Art, AGO (2018-2023).
• Sovereign Acts II, Concordia University (2017). This show traveled to several galleries.
• Rita Letendre, Fire & Light, co-curated with Georgiana Uhlyarik, AGO.
• The Fifth World, Mendel Art Gallery (2015). This show also traveled.
• KWE: Photography, Sculpture, Video and Performance by Rebecca Belmore, Justina M. Barnicke Gallery (2014).
• Sovereign Acts, Justina M Barnicke gallery (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.