The Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) is excited to present “Wiigwasitig / waskway / Honouring the Birch Tree,” curated by Albany Sutherland and featuring artists Pat Bruderer (Halfmoon Woman), Helen Pelletier, Amber Sandy, Seth Arcand, and the late Angelique Merasty, from September 12, 2026 to January 3, 2027. The opening reception will take place at AGB on Saturday, September 12, 1-3 pm.

Reflecting on themes of intergenerational knowledge and healing, “Wiigwasitig / waskway / Honouring the Birch Tree” includes the works of five First Nation artists focusing on birch bark (Wiigwas/waskway). Coming from Anishinaabeg and nêhiyawak communities over several generations, the exhibition features bark biting, baskets, film, photography, and wearable art, through an intersection of traditional and contemporary forms. This exhibition invites conversations on the significance of knowledge systems in sustaining relationships with the Land and kin.

Each artist featured has strong community ties and a deep connection to the materials they work with, reflecting their responsibility to Land through artistic practice. Angelique Merasty, among the few birch bark biters of her generation, preserved this vital cultural practice during a period when it risked being lost entirely. This legacy continues through Pat Bruderer, who creates intricate designs by folding and biting thin layers of birch bark, and teaches youth across the region. Helen Pelletier's work contributes to the ongoing transmission of Anishinaabe knowledge as a form of medicine and connection, informed by the sacred mountain Anemki Wajiw (Thunder Mountain) on Fort William First Nation, where she harvests annually. Amber Sandy, mentored in part by Pelletier, reflects this same intergenerational knowledge sharing through hide tanning, and harvesting quills and Wiigwas. Seth Arcand's film and photography work similarly explores how Indigenous peoples interact with waskway, grounded in visiting and reciprocity to document the experiences of Indigenous people across generations. Together, these artists revitalize Indigenous knowledge systems by sharing stories with future generations through making.

This year, Arcand joins AGB as a Mentor-in-Residence, facilitating a five-day mentorship centered on visiting as a cultural and creative methodology. The gathering invites Indigenous artists across disciplines to experiment with new approaches to filmmaking, exploring how storytelling emerges through connections with place, process, and community.

“Wiigwasitig / waskway / Honouring the Birch Tree” has been supported by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment, and sponsored by The Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore. AGB is supported by the City of Burlington and Ontario Arts Council. AGB’s learning programming has been supported by Culture Days, incite Foundation for the Arts, and Canada Council for the Arts.

Birch Bark Etching with Helen Pelletier
Friday, September 11, 2026

Birch Bark Biting with Pat Bruderer (Halfmoon Woman)
Saturday, September 12, 2026

Mentor-in-Residence
Visiting Through Film with Seth Arcand
September 14 – 18, 2026
Indigenous participants only

Contemporary Art Bus Tour
Saturday, September 19, 2026

Curatorial Tour with Albany Sutherland
Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Working with Land-Based Materials: Artist Talk with Amber Sandy
Saturday, October 3, 2026

About the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB)
The Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) is a hub for artistic excellence and community connection in downtown Burlington. The AGB presents thought-provoking exhibitions, hands-on learning opportunities, and public programs that invite visitors to see, think, and create in new ways. Home to the largest collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics in the world, the AGB champions a unique artistic perspective that challenges traditional boundaries and celebrates innovation.

The Art Gallery of Burlington is located on the ancestral territory of many Indigenous Nations including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Métis peoples. The territory is mutually covered by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We acknowledge that the land upon which we gather, to create and learn, is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit.