Cora Kavyaktok, the visionary behind Little Inuk Photography, an Inuk artist who captures the soul of her subjects and the power of her culture in each frame. Originally from Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), Nunavut, and now based in Vermilion, Alberta, Kavyaktok has honed her craft since 2009, specializing in portrait, event, and wedding photography. Her work emphasizes the strength and beauty of women, exploring themes of empowerment and self-discovery through the lens. Working closely with her clients, she draws out their confidence, helping them see themselves in a new, authentic light.
Kavyaktok’s photography is also deeply rooted in the cultural and ceremonial life of her Inuit heritage. A prominent part of her portfolio documents the Inuit Tattoo Revitalization Project, where Kavyaktok traveled across the Canadian Arctic to photograph women reconnecting with traditional tattoos. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “When I look back through the photos, I see the reaction that women have when they see their new tattoos, and I can see their souls light up. The photography becomes part of the story.”
Her work has garnered attention in esteemed publications like Inuit Art Quarterly and Chatelaine magazine and is a centerpiece in the book Reawakening Our Ancestors’ Lines (2017), which chronicles this deeply personal tattoo journey. Kavyaktok’s acclaimed "Gold Series," depicting Inuit women adorned with traditional tattoos and painted in gold, was exhibited at the Vancouver Maritime Museum in 2022. Her photography has also been showcased in museums worldwide, including in Montreal, Peru, Finland, and Poland, inviting global audiences to experience Inuit resilience and tradition.
Through Little Inuk Photography, Kavyaktok continues to elevate Indigenous narratives, celebrate cultural memory, and inspire others to honor the resilience and beauty inherent in Inuit identity.
Sessions in which Cora DeVos participates
Wednesday 6 November, 2024
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...
Sessions in which Cora DeVos attends
Wednesday 6 November, 2024
Coffee, tea and small pastries.
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...
In partnership with Inuit Futures in Arts Leadership: The Pilimmaksarniq / Pijariuqsarniq Project, La Guilde is proud to present Amisut, an exhibition curated by Ooleepeeka Eegeesiak featuring the work of ten early-career Inuit artists: Natashia Allakariallak, Aedan Corey, Saelym Degrandpre, Malaya Kisa-Knickelbein, Mikak, Yvonne Moorhouse, Cassidy-Ann Netser, Jason Sikoak, Taqtu & Sarah Whalen Lunn. Going against the g...
Every evening from dusk to 11pm, ulitsuak | marée montante | rising tide by multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Glenn Gear will illuminate the Sherbrooke facade of the Michal and Renalta Hornstein Pavilion o...
Bourgie Hall of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts presents:For more than 15 years, Oktoecho has helped to share the wealth of Inuit culture with audiences through its boundless creativity. The original creation Saimaniq-Sivumut creates a true alchemy between three gems of this age-old culture: katajjaq, the Inuit drum, and Ayaya singing, while also incorporating Arabic polyrhythms, Japanese a...
Thursday 7 November, 2024
Coffee, tea and small pastries.
This exclusive preview for the opening of the new Inuit permanent collection at the MMFA is for Museum Members and symposium attendees
In this special session, arts funders discuss opportunities for Inuit to access grants and other funding opportunities available to creatives and creators from the North.Funding Representatives: Arnakkuluk Jo Kleist, Saali Kuata, Amy Norman, Kerry Swanson, Susanne AndreasenModerator: Heather IgloliorteDate...
Artists who work in and for their communities and are invested in educating a new generation and carrying forward the stories, knowledge, and practices of their ancestors. Panelists: Christine Q Lussier, Hanne Kirkegaard, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Veronica Flowers, Vanessa Flowers, Evie Mark
Join experienced Inuk printmaker Aeden Corey for a workshop on how to produce black and white lino-cut prints from start to finish, using your own drawings and designs to create original artworks that can be replicated by hand-pulled prints. This workshop is held at the Montreal Museum of Fine Ar...
This presentation brings together drawings, photographs, sculptures and more in order to promote and share Inuit artistic and cultural heritage and make it more accessible to all audiences. Conceived in collaboration with Inuk artist and curator asinnajaq, ᐆᒻᒪᖁᑎᒃ uummaqutik invites us to meditate on the rhythms of...
Friday 8 November, 2024
This panel highlights the voices and perspectives of some of the early career artists featured in the exhibition at La Guilde, Amisut. The conversation is moderated by the exhibition curator, Ooleepeeka Eegeesiak
This panel on diverse and international contemporary art practices features mid-career artists on the rise, both within their communities and within national and international arts milieus. Join them for a discussion of their practices and insights into working and exhibiting art in broad contexts. Panelists: Erin Gingrich, Gayle Kabloona, Mike ...
Agguaq Collective highlights the work of nine Inuk women from across Nunavut and Nunavik who visit museum collections to study Inuit ancestral clothing and piqutiit (belongings). In this panel, members of the collective will talk about their work creating new garments based on the patterns found in collections.
Join us for a wrap-up conversation to reflect on not only the symposium, but also examine the recent history of Inuit art, take stock of the contemporary moment, and collectively envision where we want to take Inuit art into the future.
Door open at 7:30, show at 8. Suarluni, Emergence features circumpolar women whose performance practices are sometimes described as theatre, spoken word, song, or performance art. Evoking our vibrant homelands and the radical possibilities of performance, they call to us—performances by Sylvia Cloutier, Jessie Kleemann, Taqralik Partridge, and Allison Akootchook Warden.
Join us to celebrate at the ᕿᓐᓂᕋᔮᑦᑐᖅ Qinnirajaattuq / Ripples closing gala featuring DJ Andachan from Greenland! Cash bar with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available. Please note there is no food available at this event. We recommend that you eat dinner beforehand a...