Sàgàbigonì

This banner combines detailed images from artist Stephanie Tenasco’s beaded deer hide work Kìwàbandamogoban “he/she had seen it long ago, well before my time” (2026) with the word Sàgàbigonì, the Anishnaabemowin word for “sprouting.”

Rooted in Algonquin traditions of storytelling, memory and connection to the land, this work features intricate beadwork using beads, fish bone, caribou hair, porcupine quills. Floral motifs and strawberries, referencing long-standing practices and the artist’s personal ties to June, the month of her birth. Through this labour-intensive process, Tenasco weaves together family identity, cultural continuity and personal symbolism

The word Sàgàbigonì evokes growth, renewal, and the continued vitality of language, culture, and knowledge, suggesting the ongoing transmission of teachings across generations. The imagery also recalls berry gathering, an activity grounded in care and respect for the land, and an enduring cultural practice on unceded Algonquin territory.

Stephanie Tenasco is a beadwork artist and Algonquin language advocate from Kitigan Zibi who stitches together culture, stories, and a little bit of magic—one tiny bead at a time. Her work honors ancestral traditions while adding a fresh, contemporary twist, creating a playful dialogue between past and present. Passionate about language revitalization, Stephanie teaches, shares, and sparks curiosity across generations, keeping Algonquin words, stories, and laughter alive. Through beadwork and language, she bridges history and today, proving that heritage can be vibrant, accessible, and yes, a lot of fun too.

Design: Sophie Nakashima Image: House of Commons Studio

Anishinàbe Mazinibìhigan

A program developed in consultation with the Elders of Kitigan Zibi, Anishinàbe Mazinibìhigan (Anishnaabemowin for “Algonquin Artwork”) is a public art program that presents the work of an Algonquin Anishinabe artist at a monumental scale on the exterior of the Ottawa Art Gallery. Featuring a newly commissioned work that rotates every two to three years, the program centers Algonquin voices and artistic practices, creating a visible presence on this unceded territory and fostering ongoing dialogue, connection, and relationship to the land.