Connecting with Sami Artists

On April 26, 2024, the Kode Museum in Bergen, Norway, opened a major international exhibition called Indigenous Histories. Curated by a collective of international Indigenous curators and launched by the Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand (Brazil), this exhibition was a collaboration with the Kode Museum and the National Gallery of Canada.

As part of the official exhibition opening, a delegation was organized to bring together emerging Indigenous visual artists and curators with Indigenous exhibiting artists and curators at the Kode Museum’s opening and in Sami territory. This mentorship opportunity was guided by Indigenous values and worldviews. The sharing of knowledge was informal and focussed on cultivating a collaborative learning experience.

The following delegates were selected to represent Canada in Norway:

• Jim Logan, Ontario (Cree / Sioux-Métis) – Visual arts, curation and arts administration
• Tania Willard, British Columbia (Secwépemc) – Visual arts, curation and teaching
• Stacey Koosel, Manitoba (Métis) – Curation
• Yvonne Moorhouse, Alberta (Inuk) – Mixed media visual arts
• Emily Best, Newfoundland and Labrador (Inuk) – Ceramics/Traditional arts
• Marie-Anne Redhead, Manitoba (Cree) – Curation
• Cody Lefthand, Alberta (Stoney Nakoda) – Filmmaking

Objectives

First Nations, Inuit or Métis visual artists and/or curators with less than 10 years of artistic practice were eligible to apply to be part of the delegation. The participating delegates consented to:

• contributing to a mentorship and sharing experience;
• considering this an opportunity to advance their professional development;
• believing participation could help them gain international exposure;
• interacting with other Indigenous artists and curators from around the world; and
• being interested in learning about Sami arts and culture through local activities.

With the establishment of a Sami Parliament in 1989 and the recent release of Norway’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report, the delegation represented an opportunity for timely intercultural dialogue and reflection on the role of artists and arts organizations in building more inclusive art institutions across cultures.

Application process

Financial support for delegates to take part in this opportunity was $7,600.

Letters of interest by applicants included:

• Contact information (name, address, phone number and email)
• Indigenous identification (First Peoples’ group, Nation or territory and community or village)
• A description of how this opportunity would help develop and enhance their careers
• Reasons why a mentorship opportunity is inspiring
• Interest in the Sami People and Norway’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission report
• An arts CV and up to three samples of work

Applicants were asked to confirm availability for an orientation session the week of April 15, 2024, and availability to travel from April 18 to 29, 2024.

Application assessment

Eligible applications were assessed by a committee composed of Canada Council employees and Indigenous curators from the National Gallery of Canada.

All assessment committee decisions were final.

Applications were evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Impact: The application highlights how the opportunity can develop and enhance the delegate’s career.
• Relevance: The application demonstrates motivation to engage in a mentorship opportunity and confirms your interest in learning about Sami People and Norway’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.