Indigenous Artists Withdraw from UCalgary Exhibit Following Controversial Debate

Indigenous artists Glenna Cardinal and her son, seth cardinal dodginghorse, have pulled their pieces from an exhibit at the University of Calgary (UCalgary) following a debate that contested the historical impact of residential schools. The decision, made after the controversial debate on September 29, highlights the ongoing tensions around Indigenous representation and history on campus.

The debate, organized by Canadian Students for Free Speech and featuring Drea Humphrey of Rebel News and UCalgary master’s instructor Tom Flanagan, questioned whether the residential school system should be considered a genocide. This sparked student-led protests, leading to demands for Flanagan to have his emeritus title stripped.

Glenna and seth, who are full-time artists from the Tsuut’ina Nation, felt disrespected and excluded. They removed seven of their artworks from the Nickle Galleries on October 8 to stand in solidarity with the protesters. Their withdrawal reflects a broader concern about the university's handling of sensitive issues related to Indigenous history and culture.

“It just needed to be done,” said seth. “It wasn’t something that we really overthought.”

Their decision underscores the challenges faced by Indigenous artists and cultural workers in maintaining a presence on campuses that may not fully acknowledge or respect their experiences. For expats and digital nomads in Calgary, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for dialogue and understanding in the community.