Exhibition Info

January 16 - February 13, 2027

10572 115 st, Edmonton, AB T5H 3K6

Admission at SNAP is always free!

SNAP is pleased to present QAMUTIK, featuring new work by Thomas Whiteley. The exhibition runs from January 16 – February 13, 2027, at SNAP Gallery. 

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 16, 7-9 pm

Artist Talk: TBD

Artist Statement:

This exhibition celebrates inuit dog sledding and the ingenuity behind the design of the qamutik, the traditional inuit dogsled. More than a means of transportation, the qamutik is a symbol of freedom, prosperity and autonomy. It represents a beautiful partnership between a man and his dogs. It recalls a time when Inuit had full sovereignty over their way of life. Decades after the dog slaughter in Nunavik, the persisting qimutsik (dogsledding) tradition displays the resilience of Inuit culture.

According to approximately 200 reports made by Nunavik Inuit, a series of dog slaughters were undertaken […] by Canada and Quebec government officials or their representatives in several Nunavik communities from the mid-1950s until the late 1960s. (Makivvik)

During this period more than 1000 dogs were fatally shot in Nunavik and Nunavut. The slaughter brought about food and economic insecurity and created a drastic change in the way of life of Inuit ever since.

While the close bond between Inuit and their dogs was threatened, it is far from erased. With this exhibition, Thomas Whiteley highlights the revitalization of dogsledding through printmaking and woodwork. His immersive installation profoundly examines the qamutik’s capacity as a vehicle for the transmission of knowledge, land-based innovation, and cultural continuance; and as a lasting, concrete symbol of autonomy and well-being for both the human and canine populations of Nunavik.

Text by Thomas Whiteley et Katsitsanoron Dumoulin-Bush, Image Credit : Alexi Hobbs

Bio:

Thomas Whiteley is an Inuk artist from Kuujjuaq, QC. He divides his time between flying through the skies of Nunavik, hunting across the tundra, and woodworking in the family workshop. Though he always had an interest in art, it was only in 2024 that he began devoting himself more seriously to his craft. After training with professional artist Nadine Bariteau in Kuujjuaq, he acquired additional tools and techniques to develop his art practice. Since then, Whiteley has created a great number of prints. His work has been displayed in many galleries, such as Tivi Gallery (Kuujjuaq), La Guilde (Montreal) and Campbell River Art Gallery (B.C.), and is part of an institutional collection. In 2025, he was also the recipient of the Canada Arts Council Grant. His work as a pilot for Air Inuit continues to fuel his artistic inspiration by offering him a unique perspective on northern landscapes and Inuit culture. Today, Whiteley specializes in printmaking and carving. He remains dedicated to representing his northern way of life, modern Inuit culture, and his relationship with the land and animals.