Heritage Biography
Angela Wiggins is a proud Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) artist whose work reflects her heritage's resilience and cultural richness. She is the bloodline granddaughter of Henry Rufus Trudeau and Great Granddaughter to Gabriel Trudeau and Victoria Peltier, of Wikwemikong First Nation, on Manitoulin Island, Ontario.
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Her grandfather, a Residential School Survivor, endured immense hardship at the Spanish Residential School in Ontario, where his language, culture, and traditions were stripped away. Later, he served in the Second World War at the cost of losing his Indigenous status, further distancing his family from their cultural identity. His resilience, however, remains a profound source of inspiration for Angela.
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Angela’s ties to Wikwemikong First Nation and its rich traditions are pivotal in her artistic journey. Her work, featuring Turtle Island's wildlife and beauty, serves as a means of personal healing and a tribute to her ancestors. She also draws strength from her mother, Mary, who has navigated the generational impacts of systemic discrimination as the daughter of a Residential School Survivor.
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Angela’s art celebrates Anishinaabe culture, focusing on animals, land, and spiritual connections. Her vibrant use of colour and traditional themes honours the strength and vitality of her heritage while advocating for education and reconciliation.
Angela's creative vision ensures that her ancestors’ stories and voices resonate for generations, inspiring others to explore and celebrate their cultural identities.​​
(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 Art
Belleville, Ontario
Phone: 613-921-9148
Email: angelawigginsart@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063609695797
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelawigginsart/
Anishinaabe
SUMMARY:
Angela Wiggins is an Indigenous artist whose work reflects a profound connection to her Anishinaabe heritage. Working with various mediums, including acrylics, graphite, and mixed media, Angela's art celebrates spirit, land, and culture. She draws inspiration from her ancestors, the wildlife, and the landscapes of Turtle Island, creating pieces that evoke deep emotional and spiritual responses. As a self-taught artist, Angela's journey is one of healing and discovery, as she reconnects with the cultural roots lost to her family through the traumatic legacy of Residential Schools.
ARTISTIC EXPERTISE
Recognized by the Canadian Council for the Arts as a professional Indigenous Artist in 2024.
Mediums: Acrylic Painting, Graphite Drawing, Mixed Media Art
• Acrylic Painting: Angela's acrylic work is vibrant, filled with the colours of life, and often depicts wildlife and landscapes. Her pieces are a reflection of the spirit and adventure she sees in nature, aiming to bring joy and healing to the viewer.
• Graphite: With a focus on the eyes, Angela's graphite work brings historical photos to life, allowing the past to communicate with the present. She excels in capturing the soul and story behind each subject, whether human or animal.
• Mixed Media: Angela's mixed media work blends different artistic techniques to create rich, textured pieces that tell complex stories of cultural heritage and personal discovery.
EXHIBITIONS & INSTALLATIONS:
Permanent Installations -
• Hockey Canada, World Juniors Ottawa ON: Contracted to paint 25 paddles as Player of the Game awards presented to Players and dignitaries for the World Juniors 2025 Ottawa, Canada.
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• Legislative Assembly, Toronto ON: “Dancing With Spirit” chosen to hang for 2025 as part of the A La Carte program.
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• Sagonaska Place, Belleville, ON: Curated 13 original indigenous art pieces for permanent installation in this building.
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• Marine Museum, Milford, ON: Large-scale mural installation, curated and permanently installed.
• A Path Forward, Picton, ON: 3 Large-scale indigenous mural installations, curated and permanently installed.
• The Local Store, Bloomfield, ON: Member of the Gallery for show and sale of indigenous art 2023, 2024.
Solo Shows -
• Quinte Arts Council, Belleville, ON: September & October, 2024.
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• These 4 Walls, Trenton, ON: September 2022, 2023, 2024.
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• John M. Parrot Gallery, Belleville, ON: Solo Show, September 2025.
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Group Shows & Juried Exhibitions -
• Artfest Ontario Art Festival: July 1 long weekend, 2023, 2024.
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• Quinte Arts Council, Belleville, ON: International Women's Day Juried Shows, 2023, 2024.
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• John M. Parrott Gallery Juried Show, Belleville, ON: 2024.
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• Quinte Arts Council Biennial Juried Show, Belleville, ON: 2023.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & VOLUNTEER WORK
• John Howard Society, Belleville, ON: Two-year volunteer art instructor for youth-at-risk.
• Fixed Fur Life, Belleville, ON: Two-year fundraising coordinator.
• Eastside Secondary School: Volunteered and organized fundraising "paint nights" to raise funds for the school's art program.
CULTURAL BACKGROUND & INSPIRATION
Anishinaabe (Ojibwe)
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Grandfather Henry Trudeau, Residential School Survivor: Bloodline granddaughter of Henry Rufus Trudeau and Great Granddaughter to Gabriel Trudeau and Victoria Peltier, of Wikwemikong First Nation, on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Angela's grandfather's legacy of attending the Spanish Residential School in Ontario and then giving up his status to fight with the Canadian Armed Forces in WWII inspires her to connect with her spiritual relatives and share Indigenous culture through her art.
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Norval Morrisseau: Norval Morrisseau's philosophy, particularly his belief in the healing power of colour, resonates deeply with Angela, inspiring her to create art that heals and uplifts the spirit.
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Quest for Cultural Identity: Angela's pilgrimage to her grandfather's home reserve, Wiikwemkong, to reconnect with her heritage and meet estranged relatives. She also took time to solemnly visit the remains of two Residential Schools - one closest to her grandfather's reserve, and the other being the school her grandfather attended - to pay respects and honour those forcibly taken to these institutions.
EDUCATION
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• Diploma in Developmental Services Work (DSW), Loyalist College