Awakening Spirit

"My people will sleep for one hundred years, but when they awake, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back." – Louis Riel  

The Indigenous Student Led Indigenous Art Purchase Program (ISLIAPP) seeks to transform the composition of the University Art Collection. In its first year, ISLIAPP has convened a committee of seven Indigenous students from across the University of Manitoba community to meet with artists and curators, visit studios, and select artworks to purchase for the University community to appreciate.

The exhibition Awakening Spirit brings together artworks in a variety of media—including painting, prints, beadwork, and sculpture—purchased during the first year of this exciting program. 

After this exhibition, these artworks will be placed on display throughout campus for students, faculty, and the public to enjoy.  This effort continues the process of diversifying and decolonizing the University Art Collections by including contemporary Indigenous artwork in the collection.

This program and exhibition are made possible with the support of the University of Manitoba Office of the Vice President (Indigenous) through the Indigenous Initiatives Fund.