Meet the Artist: Angela Wiggins
Angela Wiggins is redefining how heritage, resilience, and culture are conveyed through art in the Bay of Quinte region and beyond. Her artistic journey has evolved into a personal movement advocating for Indigenous Peoples, earning recognition from the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and Hockey Canada, among others.
Written by Ashley Foley
Read time: 3 min
Renowned for her vibrant use of colour and her depictions of animals and trees, Angela’s creations serve as a living narrative of her journey to connect with Spirit and reclaim her Indigenous roots.
As a self-taught artist, Angela celebrates her Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) heritage, intertwining personal healing with the wisdom of her ancestors. Her work reflects a path of rediscovery and reconnection to her culture, flourishing alongside her deepened connection to Spirit and the Creator.
Angela’s story is deeply rooted in her family’s cultural history. Her grandfather, Henry Trudeau, was a residential school survivor of the notoriously violent Spanish Residential School. After enduring years of trauma and torture there, he enlisted in the Second World War a few years later to serve Canada. This was a sacrifice that cost him his Indigenous status, further stripping him of his culture, heritage, and identity.
This erasure of cultural identity has rippled through generations. This lost legacy inspires Angela to reclaim the history and traditions stolen from her family. “Art has always been a way for me to reconnect with my roots,” Angela shares. “It helps me explore who I am and tell the stories that were silenced for so long.”
Angela’s accomplishments as an artist have been numerous and impactful. In fall 2024, her painting, Dancing with Spirit, was selected for the prestigious Art à la Carte program at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. This 24” by 30” acrylic masterpiece will be displayed in Toronto throughout 2025. Featuring a bear dancing in radiant light and gazing into the traditional medicine wheel, the painting is a vivid narrative of connection, spirit, and healing.
“This opportunity is not just for me,” Angela explains, “but for my ancestors and my community. It’s a way to bring awareness to the stories that shape our identity.”
Angela has also been recognized by the Canadian Council for the Arts as a First Nations Professional Artist, underscoring her growing influence in the art world. She was also awarded the Indigenous Voices Fund by the Prince Edward County Arts Council, which supports the creation of new works for her solo show at the John M. Parrott Callery in September 2025. She continues to elevate her voice and artistry with every brushstroke.
Her most recent achievement took place at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. Hockey Canada contracted Angela to paint 25 paddles to serve as Player of the Game awards and to be presented to dignitaries throughout the tournament. The paddles feature three designs—a bear, a loon, and Turtle Island. Angela’s distinctive style brings these images to life with bold reds, yellows, oranges, greens, purples, and blues. Traditional smudging feathers, tied to the necks of the paddles with hides, were carefully smudged before presentation.
Angela personally presented one of these paddles at the Latvia-USA game on December 28, 2024—an honour that placed her art on an international stage.
Beyond her accomplishments, Angela remains a pillar of inspiration. She frequently participates in local galleries, from Belleville’s Quinte Arts Council Gallery to These 4 Walls in Quinte West. Her contributions extend to murals, educational initiatives, and volunteer projects to foster creativity and connection.
For Angela, art is more than a medium—it is a connection to the past and a bridge to the future. Her work pulses with stories of her ancestors, the landscapes of Turtle Island, and the resilience of a reclamation of one’s rightful place in history.
“Through my art, I hope to show that healing is possible,” Angela reflects. “It’s a journey, but it’s one we must take together.”
Angela Wiggins Art is a testament to the enduring strength of Indigenous cultures and the transformative power of storytelling.
