06/21/2026
Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day, honouring the histories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, and a day to reflect on the ongoing work of truth and reconciliation.
“𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘸” (2004), by Cree artist James Nicholas and settler artist Sandra Semchuk, emerged from a conversation about land, generosity, and responsibility. After attending an Elders Treaty Conference, Semchuk sought to express gratitude for sharing the land. Nicholas responded: "You don't understand. Sharing is the law. The land owns itself."
Through their 15-year artistic collaboration and marriage, Nicholas and Semchuk created work that invites reflection on identity, belonging, and our relationships to the land and one another.
Now part of our permanent collection and on view in the exhibition 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘦, 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘠𝘰𝘶, this work remains one of many that invite visitors to engage with Indigenous histories, perspectives, and futures. Through a deeper understanding of our interconnections, Nicholas and Semchuk's work continues to offer vital lessons for our shared future.
