Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Enjoy these Heritage Minutes brought to you by Historica Canada! While free to view and share, these productions remain under copyright. Re-uploads or modified versions are strictly prohibited without written prior permission. For all re-shares, please tag us (@HistoricaCanada).
A founding member of Cape Dorset’s famed printmaking co-op, Kenojuak Ashevak introduced Inuit art to the world (1927-2013).
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Version française : youtu.be/MneOjID8Tfk
Kenojuak Ashevak is perhaps the best-known Inuit artist because of her famous print _The Enchanted Owl_ (1960) which was featured on a Canada Post stamp. Ashevak grew up on the land in the traditional, semi-nomadic hunting lifestyle, living in igloos and skin tents. Diagnosed with tuberculosis, she was hospitalized at Parc Savard Hospital in Québec City from 1952 to 1955. There, she was introduced to Harold Pfeiffer, who taught patients arts and crafts as a way to pass the time and also make extra money — the hospital sold work on behalf of the patients. When she returned to Cape Dorset, Ashevak was encouraged to continue making art by James Houston, who taught the Inuit printmaking techniques and founded the West Baffin Co-operative.
*Learn more on _The Canadian Encyclopedia_* :
Kenojuak Ashevak:
thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/kenojuak-ashevak
Inuit Art:
thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/inuit-art
Kinngait (Cape Dorset):
thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/cape-dorset
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*More educational content at* :
historicacanada.ca
thecanadianencyclopedia.ca
*Credits* :
Kenojuak Ashevak (young and voice): Miali Buschemi
End Narrator: Alanis Obomsawin (thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/alanis-obomsawin)
DOP: John Price
Composer: Paul Aucoin
Editor: Ryan Noth
Directors: Tess Girard and Ryan Noth
Written by Tess Girard and Ryan Noth
Producers: Tess Girard and Ryan Noth
Produced by Fifth Town Films
Enjoy these Heritage Minutes brought to you by Historica Canada! While free to view and share, these productions remain under copyright. Re-uploads or modified versions are strictly prohibited without written prior permission. For all re-shares, please tag us (@HistoricaCanada).
A founding member of Cape Dorset’s famed printmaking co-op, Kenojuak Ashevak introduced Inuit art to the world (1927-2013).
*Join our mailing list* : historicacanada.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8b239f6d4c109489e40480d52&id=307fa49399
SUBSCRIBE to learn more about Canada: histori.ca/youtube
Version française : youtu.be/MneOjID8Tfk
Kenojuak Ashevak is perhaps the best-known Inuit artist because of her famous print _The Enchanted Owl_ (1960) which was featured on a Canada Post stamp. Ashevak grew up on the land in the traditional, semi-nomadic hunting lifestyle, living in igloos and skin tents. Diagnosed with tuberculosis, she was hospitalized at Parc Savard Hospital in Québec City from 1952 to 1955. There, she was introduced to Harold Pfeiffer, who taught patients arts and crafts as a way to pass the time and also make extra money — the hospital sold work on behalf of the patients. When she returned to Cape Dorset, Ashevak was encouraged to continue making art by James Houston, who taught the Inuit printmaking techniques and founded the West Baffin Co-operative.
*Learn more on _The Canadian Encyclopedia_* :
Kenojuak Ashevak:
thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/kenojuak-ashevak
Inuit Art:
thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/inuit-art
Kinngait (Cape Dorset):
thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/cape-dorset
*FOLLOW US!*
Instagram: instagram.com/historicacanada
Twitter: twitter.com/HistoricaCanada
TikTok: tiktok.com/@historicacanada
Facebook: facebook.com/Historica.Canada
Pinterest: pinterest.ca/historicac/_saved
*More educational content at* :
historicacanada.ca
thecanadianencyclopedia.ca
*Credits* :
Kenojuak Ashevak (young and voice): Miali Buschemi
End Narrator: Alanis Obomsawin (thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/alanis-obomsawin)
DOP: John Price
Composer: Paul Aucoin
Editor: Ryan Noth
Directors: Tess Girard and Ryan Noth
Written by Tess Girard and Ryan Noth
Producers: Tess Girard and Ryan Noth
Produced by Fifth Town Films
