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Nunavut Day, which is annually celebrated on July 9, commemorates the passing of two Nunavut acts by the Government of Canada: the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act and the Nunavut Act on July 9, 1993. Nunavut officially split from the Northwest Territories and became a Canadian territory on April 1, 1999. Several events, cultural activities, and Arctic exhibitions celebrate Nunavut Day throughout Canada.

Nunavut, which in Inuktitut means ‘our land,’ is rich in tradition, culture, and sense of community, thanks to generations of Inuit who have cared for and lived on the land for millennia. From Sanikiluaq to Grise Fiord, Nunavut is home to vast landscapes, vibrant languages, and many peoples. Forward-looking, resilient, and diverse, Canada’s youngest territory embodies our promise as a country.- Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

At Gallery Indigena, we are very pleased to carry a large collection of carvings, prints, and cards by First Nations artists from Nunavut. Our founder, Erla Boyer, travels annually to Cape Dorest to personally meet and purchase art from the artists. From celebrated printer Kenojuak Ashevak, whose stonecut prints are highly sought after, to smaller carvers that utilizes locally sourced serpentine for carvings large and small, we have a great selection that is ready to be viewed.

Happy Nunavut Day, and we hope to see you soon at one of our three galleries!

As a proud supporter of Canadian artists, we are happy to announce our newest jade collections at our Stratford, and Vancouver locations by Master carver Charles C. Min Hu, and jewellery designer Lisa Ridout, both based on the West coast.

Charles C. Min Hu is a Master carver from China, now based in Vancouver. Charles utilize local materials, including jade from British Columbia.

Lisa Ridout is a celebrated jewellery designer based in Victoria, B.C. Her designs feature intricately linked silver rings, all wound by hand. You may view her collection here.

Patrons of Gallery Indigena are no stranger to Honica’s award- winning handmade jewellery, which are handmade in her studio in Victoria, British Columbia, and have been carried in our Stratford location for many years. The elements in Honica’s unique jewellery are hand- treated to achieve their unique colour and lustre, some process even takes up to three years!

“For the past thirty years, Honica’s passion has been jewellery. Always innovative, Honica’s award winning work has received fabulous reviews for many years and in many places.

In 1991, she was named Accessories Designer of the Year at western Canada’s prestigious Power and Passion Show. In 1988, her work was featured at the gala opening of the international theatrical production of Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber. She was commissioned to design a jewellery piece for each of the five hundred gala dinner guests, each piece based on characters in the play.

Each piece of her work is unique and hand crafted. Honica works each metal piece, each spiral, each stone individually. Each piece of jewellery is an original design. Each one made for you, by hand.”

– Honica Zylstra

At Gallery Indigena, we are proud to stock an extended selection of Honica’s collections, including the best selling Champagne Creme, and Galaxy, as well as Harmony Jade, Atlantis, and Elements. Honica’s pieces can be viewed online, and is available at both of our galleries. We hope to see you soon!