Reneltta Arluk, D.Litt., is Inuvialuk, Dene, and Cree from the Northwest Territories, raised by her grandparents on the trap-line until school age. This early nomadic life provided Reneltta with the unique skill set to become the multi-disciplinary nomadic performing artist that she is.
She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Acting degree from the University of Alberta, becoming the first Indigenous woman and first Inuk to graduate from the program. For more than twenty years, Reneltta has been part of or initiated the creation of Indigenous Theatre across Canada and overseas. In 2008 she founded Akpik Theatre, the only professional Indigenous Theatre company in the Northwest Territories. Reneltta received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta for her contribution to the decolonization of cultural institutions in Canada.
Her previous position was as Director of Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She was also responsible for developing and strengthening relationships with Treaty 6 Indigenous community members, and forging partnerships with non-Indigenous artistic institutions regionally, nationally and globally, all with the intention of creating space for Indigenous voices.
Reneltta works with colleagues across the Gallery to support Indigenous priorities with a focus on Indigenous communities, visitors, artists and other stakeholders. She brings Indigenous-centred worldviews into the Gallery’s policy-making, and supports engagement with Indigenous communities that ensures respectful, reciprocal and responsible relationships.
Sessions in which Reneltta Arluk participates
Thursday 7 November, 2024
Panelist Speakers: Jamesie Fournie, Janice Grey, Napatsi Folger Moderator: Reneltta Arluk Date: Thursday, November 7thTime: 9:15...
Excitingly, we are experiencing unprecedented numbers of Inuit taking up positions of leadership in arts institutions around the circumpolar world. In this panel both senior administrators and emerging Inuit arts leaders come together to discuss the transformation of arts institutions and organizations. Panelist Speakers: Reneltta Arlu...
Sessions in which Reneltta Arluk attends
Wednesday 6 November, 2024
Join us for the opening of the symposium! We will open events with a welcome to territory by Skawennati; a qulliq lighting and opening remarks by Heather Igloliorte.
In this panel, circumpolar artists who have shown their work both in community as well as at international art festivals and major exhibitions discuss their experiences engaging with the global contemporary art world. Panelists: Kablusiak, Inuuteq Storch, Julie Edel Hardenberg, Sonya Kehlier-Combs in conversation with
Acclaimed Inuit fashion designers share in this exciting dialogue on how they began their careers in fashion, where they’re headed, and how they bring Inuit culture into their designs and practices. Panelists: On the Runway: Inuit Fashion and Wearable Art - Taalrumiq , April Allen, Victoria Okpik, and Julie Grenier in conversation with...
Circumpolar Inuit curators share their critical and culturally-grounded approaches to curating exhibitions and working with museums and galleries at home and internationally in this panel. Panelists: Jocelyn Piirainen, Dine Arnannguaq Fenger Lynge, Nivi Christensen, Nadia...
Ahead of the opening of uummaqutik essence of life, Léuli Eshrāghi, Curator of Indigenous Practices, will sit down with the artist and the exhibition’s curator, asinnajaq, to talk about this brand new presentation of the Museum’s collection of art from Inuit Nunangat (Canadian Inuit territories). uum...