Aedan Corey is one of 13 emerging artists selected for this year’s boxes.
Corey is Inuk and currently lives in Ottawa, but is originally from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.
“When I first heard about it was when Purolator contacted me, with the way the program works is that every previous year, the past artist suggests new artists and I guess I was one of the artists recommended,” they said.
The theme for this year’s campaign is sharing meals and holiday traditions, something Corey really wanted to showcase.
“I wanted to include certain elements and one of those elements was the feast that we have in our community whether they be at home with their family or with the community in general and I also wanted to show the lighting of the qulliq,” Corey said.
Corey said the program provides a chance for display their work on a national scale.
“It’s been really great,” they said. “I’ve gotten a lot of requests for interviews like this one.
“I’ve also gotten a response from the community, saying they’re happy to have us represented in this way.”
Other indigenous artists selected for this year’s artwork includes Ojibwe artist and author Bridget George from Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation in Ontario and Dene artist Gabrielle Giroux from Denesuline First Nation, Saskatchewan.
Corey said the holiday gift box program not only promotes emerging artists but this year it benefits communities as well.
“Purolator is also donating five thousand dollars to food banks for each province and territory, so if there’s anyone that wants to make donations, there’s the link to do that on the Purolator site, under the holiday boxes,” they said.
