Heritage Biography
Angela Wiggins is an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) artist from Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island whose contemporary paintings create space for meaningful conversation through themes of identity, relationship, and shared understanding. Her practice is guided by Two-Eyed Seeing, a guiding principle introduced by Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall, which encourages learning to see from the strengths of both Indigenous and Western ways of knowing.
Angela is the granddaughter of Henry Rufus Trudeau and the great-granddaughter of Gabriel Trudeau and Victoria Peltier of Wikwemikong First Nation. Her family's history, shaped by the lasting impacts of residential schools, displacement, and resilience, informs her work while remaining one thread within a broader exploration of contemporary Indigenous life.
Working primarily in acrylic, Angela creates paintings that balance symbolism with emotional presence. Her distinctive visual language draws upon figures, wildlife, colour, and movement to explore themes of belonging, healing, resilience, and connection. Rather than illustrating a single story, each painting offers an invitation to pause, reflect, and engage with perspectives that are often difficult to express through words alone.
Angela's work has been exhibited throughout Ontario and is held in public and private collections across Canada. In 2026, two of her paintings were acquired by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada for the Government of Canada's permanent collection, reflecting her growing contribution to contemporary Indigenous art.
Through her paintings, Angela seeks to create spaces where people from all backgrounds can encounter one another with curiosity, respect, and a willingness to listen. She believes art has the power to foster conversations that continue long after the viewer has stepped away from the canvas.
(The Ghost Warrior Society has authenticated me as bloodline granddaughter of Henry Rufus Trudeau and great granddaughter of Gabriel Trudeau and Victoria Peltier of Wikwemikong First Nation through my mother Mary L Trudeau)
Artist's
Curriculum Vitae
For a PDF copy of my Heritage Biography or CV, please feel free to contact me.
Angela Wiggins
Email: angelawigginsart@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063609695797
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelawigginsart/
Recognized by the Canada Council for the Arts as a Professional Indigenous Artist (2024)
PROFILE
Indigenous visual artist working in acrylic, graphite, and mixed media whose practice investigates Indigenous cultural continuity, intergenerational memory, and contemporary visibility through both symbolic, tradition-rooted imagery and contemporary abstraction across institutional and studio-based work.
Recognized by the Canada Council for the Arts as a Professional Indigenous Artist (2024).
SELECTED COMMISSIONS & LICENSING
Commissioned Artist, Ishkode Fund (in partnership with Little Indian Girl Organization) -2026
Commissioned to create the official logo and visual identity artwork for the Ishkode Fund through licensed organizational use.
CAP WinnDevon Art Group Ltd. – Three-year licensing agreement for Indigenous Collection, 2026–2029.
Hockey Canada – Commissioned to create 25 hand-painted Player of the Game award paddles for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, presented on-ice to players and dignitaries.
PUBLIC & INSTITUTIONAL COLLECTIONS
Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Government of Canada, Ottawa, ON – Two works acquired for permanent collection, 2026
Sagonaska Place, Belleville ON – Permanent collection of 13 original Indigenous artworks for 2024
PUBLIC & INSTITUTIONAL INSTALLATIONS
Ontario Power Generation, Chenaux Generating Station, ON – Commissioned large-scale ceiling mural, permanent installation.
Becker Shoes, Belleville, ON — Commissioned 20-foot public mural, 2026
Trent River Public School, Trenton ON - Commissioned to design and create an 8 ft × 16 ft mural installation for Trent River Public School, integrating themes of movement, community, and Indigenous-informed visual storytelling.
Marine Museum, Milford ON – Commissioned large-scale Indigenous mural, permanent installation.
A Path Forward, Picton ON - Three commissioned large-scale Indigenous murals, permanent installations.
INSTITUTIONAL & GALLERY EXHIBITIONS
Legislative Assembly of Ontario – Dancing With Spirit, A La Carte Program, 2025
Union Gallery, Queen’s University - Pahkahokowin: 5th Annual Indigenous Art Exhibition, Group exhibition.
John M. Parrott Art Gallery – Solo Exhibition, 2025.
A Path Forward Picton – Solo Exhibition 2026
Quinte Arts Council – Solo Exhibition 2026.
These 4 Walls Gallery – Solo Exhibitions, 2022 - 2025
JURIED & SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
One of a Kind Show,- Toronto ON, 2025
Muskoka Festival of the Arts,-2025
Buckhorn Festival of the Arts,- 2025, 2026
Artfest Ontario, 2023 - 2026
Quinte Arts Council – International Women’s Day Juried Exhibition, 2023 - 2026
John M. Parrott Gallery -Juried Exhibition, 2024 2026
Quinte Arts Council Biennial Juried Exhibition, 2023, 2025
GRANTS & AWARDS
Indigenous Voices Fund – 2025 – Prince Edward County Arts Council
Arts and Culture Grant – 2025 – City of Belleville
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION AND SERVICE
Public Art Assessment Panel Assessor Invitation – 2026
Invited to participate as an assessor for regional public art open calls, contributing to application review and scoring processes in accordance with CARFAC assessment standards.
Media & Public Engagement
CTV, Your Morning Ottawa- 2026 – Interview discussing artistic practice and the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing in contemporary art.
CTV News Saskatoon — 2026 - Featured interview regarding recent national recognition and contemporary Indigenous artistic practice.
CanadianSME Small Business Magazine – March/April 2026 – Featured artist interview highlighting artistic practice, entrepreneurship, and national recognition.
Picton Gazette — 2026 - Cover feature and artist profile.
Umbrella Arts Magazine — 2025–2026 - Multiple featured articles and exhibition coverage.
COMMUNITY & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
John Howard Society – Volunteer art instructor for youth at risk, two-year term.
Fixed Fur Life – Community volunteer and independent fundraiser, two years.
Eastside Secondary School – Organized and led fundraising paint-night programs.
CULTURAL IDENTITY
Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), with ancestral roots in Wikwemikong First Nation, Manitoulin Island, Ontario.
EDUCATION
Diploma, Developmental Services Worker (DSW), Loyalist College, Ontario