The Indigenous Curatorial Collective / Collectif des commissaires autochtones’ (ICCA) Annual Gatherings provide a dedicated space for Indigenous artists, curators, critics, and cultural leaders to unite, celebrate achievements, and strengthen connections within the Indigenous arts community. These gatherings honor the visionaries who established the ICCA, acknowledging their role in creating essential platforms for Indigenous voices within contemporary art.

Each gathering includes a diverse lineup of programming, featuring panel discussions, performances, screenings, and community conversations. The events address key issues in Indigenous arts, such as cultural accountability, identity, and community-building, while fostering meaningful exchange among participants. Tailored to respect the culture and protocols of each host location, these gatherings highlight local talent, facilitate dialogue, and encourage collaboration. Supported by local and national partnerships, ICCA’s Annual Gatherings play a crucial role in sustaining a space for Indigenous representation, knowledge-sharing, and expression in the arts.

Against the Current

À contre-courant

Wàbi mikanàwàn

Jiimaan zhaawendaabaning

Malinngittuq

Yoterihwaién’ke

Kontre li kouroon

The Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference (ARCA), along with the artist-run centres AXENÉO7 and SAW, in collaboration with the Indigenous Curatorial Collective, the Regroupement des centres d’artistes autogérés du Québec and the Association des groupes en arts visuels francophones, are excited to announce the ARCA biennial gathering Against the Current, taking place in Ottawa-Gatineau from June 11 to 14, 2025.

Against the Current will be hosted at the NCC River House, the Ottawa Art Gallery’s Alma Duncan Salon, AXENÉO7 and SAW, connecting delegates to important cultural and natural sites on both sides of the Kichi Sibi (Ottawa River) while recognizing and honouring the Algonquin land on which we will gather. Over 250 delegates are expected to attend.

The conference will present a rich program of events and professional activities for delegates, the arts community and the general public alike, including keynotes, panels, discussions, workshops, collaborative sessions, advocacy campaigns, networking events, performances, art happenings and exhibition openings. A wide range of topics will be covered, providing opportunities to all cultural workers connected with the Canadian and international artist-run centre network.

At the NCC River House, participants can enjoy hiking, canoeing and kayaking while participating in panels and discussions broadcast live. The gathering will close with an art extravaganza aboard the Ottawa River Queen steamboat, featuring Indigenous performance art, music and fashion from across Turtle Island and beyond, presented by the Asinabka Media Art Festival, AXENÉO7, the Indigenous Curatorial Collective and SAW.

Registrations will be accepted starting October 30, 2024.

www.againstthecurrent.ca

The Indigenous Curatorial Collective / Collectif des commissaires autochtones (ICCA) will host our 2025 Annuanl National Gathering in Saskatchewan, which we will be co-hosting along with the Black Curators Forum in both Regina & Saskatoon in November 2025. This convening will coincide with projects that our colleagues at the MacKenzie Art Gallery and Remai Gallery have been undertaking which aim to bring together Black & Indigenous artists and curators to discuss relationships, histories and practices across the Great Plains region. More information coming soon.

• 2024 (October 2024)
  Expanding Kinshps: A Gathering on International Connection
• 2022 – Hybrid (November 2022)
  Framing Responsibility: A Gathering on Accountability
• 2021 – Digital (November 2021)
  Solidarity Across Space
• 2020 – Digital
  Beyond Space: A Gathering on Care in Strange Times
• 2019 – Vancouver
  Great Ocean Dialogues, in partnership with the Vancouver Art Gallery and SFU Galleries
• 2018 – Halifax
  Pjilita’q Mi’kmata: L’nuite’tmuki tan wejkuwaql naqwe’kl International Gathering
• 2016 – Whitehorse
  Kwản Mày Daye Daatthi (“Sit by the fire with us” / Ensemble autour du feu), in partnership with Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre and Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance
• 2014 – Montreal
  lakweiahre (“we remember”), in partnership with Concordia University
• 2011 – Toronto
  Revisioning the Indians of Canada Pavilion: Ahzekewada (“Let us look back”), in partnership with OCAD University
• 2009 – Ottawa
  Curators Camp Kabeshinan, in conjunction with the National Gallery of Canada
• 2008 – Vancouver
  Shaq’sthut – Gathering Place, in conjunction with UBC
• 2007 – Saskatoon
  Corralling Art: Aboriginal Curatorial Practice in the Prairies and Beyond, in conjunction with Tribe
• 2006 – Winnipeg
  The Way Ahead: Surveying the Curatorial Landscape, in conjunction with Urban Shaman
• 2005 – Ottawa
  Founding Roundtable Discussion

2024 Toronto Annual ICCA Gathering/Rassemblement Annuel ICCA de Toronto 2024

Expanding Kinshps: A Gathering on International Connection

2018 Halifax Annual ICCA Gathering/Rassemblement Annuel ICCA de Halifax 2018

Pjilita’q Mi’kmata: L’nuite’tmuki tan wejkuwaql naqwe’kl International Gathering

2014 Montreal Annual ICCA Gathering / Rassemblement Annuel ICCA de Montreal 2014

lakweiahre (“we remember”), in partnership with Concordia University

2011 Toronto Annual ICCA Gathering / Rassemblement Annuel ICCA de Toronto 2011

Revisioning the Indians of Canada Pavilion: Ahzekewada (“Let us look back”), in partnership with OCAD University

2007 Saskatoon Annual ICCA Gathering / Rassemblement Annuel ICCA de Saskatoon 2007

Corralling Art: Aboriginal Curatorial Practice in the Prairies and Beyond, in conjunction with TRIBE