Ottawa, November 14, 2022
Special project on Indigenous peoples of Quebec captures Canada’s top history prize
Montreal museum exhibition wins Governor General’s History Award for inspiring Quebecers to become active participants in reconciliation.
NOVEMBER 14, 2022 — It’s a project that the sheds light on Indigenous knowledge, explores an often-traumatic shared history, and celebrates the incredible capacities of Indigenous resilience.
Musée McCord Stewart Museum’s new permanent exhibition, Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience, is a vital and visually stunning exploration of eleven Indigenous nations in Quebec.
An example of the museum’s decolonizing journey, the groundbreaking exhibition will be honoured with the 2022 Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Museums: History Alive!
“In keeping with the museum’s decolonization practises, and as part of an effort to initiate dialogue to foster understanding, this new permanent exhibition gives voice to Indigenous peoples,” said Martine Couillard, head of government and institutional relations at Musée McCord Stewart Museum. “Through it we hope to create a meaningful encounter between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.”
The museum will receive its award from Governor General Mary Simon at a special ceremony at the Citadel in Quebec City.
Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience features one hundred objects from the museum’s Indigenous Cultures collection, carefully selected by Innu curator Jean St-Onge.
In collaboration with la Boîte Rouge Vif — an Indigenous non-profit dedicated to the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage — museum curator Élisabeth Kaine combined these hundred objects with more than eighty inspiring stories into a visually stunning visitor experience.
“It’s an honour to work with Canada’s History and shine light on projects of this caliber,” said Heather George, President of the Canadian Museum Association’s Board. “The important work being carried out by Musée McCord Stewart Museum is a stunning example of the five I’s that form the selection criteria: Innovation, Integrity, Impact, Inclusion and Inspiration… plus one more for Indigenous-led.”
This award is presented by the Canadian Museums Association, with the support of Ecclesiastical Insurance Ltd.
“Ecclesiastical Insurance’s sponsorship of the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Museums: History Alive!, is a manifestation of our commitment and support for protecting and promoting cultural heritage in Canada,” said David Huebel, President of Ecclesiastical. “Congratulations to the McCord Stewart Museum’s new permanent exhibition, Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience, which is shedding light on still unrecognized forms of Indigenous knowledge, exploring a shared and traumatic history, and recognizing and celebrating the incredible capacities of Indigenous resilience.”
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For more information:
Canada’s History Society
Mark Reid
Director of Communications
(204) 509-1867
e: mreid@canadashistory.ca
Canadian Museums Association
Rebecca MacKenzie
Director of Communications (613) 567-0099 x 243
e: communications@museums.ca
About the project
- The goal of Indigenous Voices of Today is to inspire visitors to learn more — and to do more — as active participants in the process of reconciliation.
- Indigenous designers and illustrators contributed to the development of marketing and visual materials.
- Extensive and purposeful programming was developed for the general public, school groups, and post-secondary institutions, as well as for community organizations and businesses.
- Through engaging testimonies that prioritized Indigenous languages, speakers shared their dreams, experiences, and plans for a better future that is no longer undermined by assimilation.
About the Governor General’s History Awards
The Governor General’s History Awards are administered by Canada’s History Society and recognize excellence in five categories: Community Programming, Museums, Popular Media, Scholarly Research, and Teaching. The awards are Canada’s top history honours and involve the leading agencies of Canada’s history and heritage community. Each award category is administered by the presenting organization and has its own jury, selection process and prize structure.
About Canada’s History
Canada’s History Society is a national charitable organization that seeks to encourage Canadians to engage more deeply with their country’s past. We share the stories behind the history through our magazines, Canada’s History and Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids, digitally at CanadasHistory.ca, as well as through our education and award programs, including the Governor General’s History Awards. We believe all Canadians should see themselves reflected in our publications and programs.
About the Canadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museum Association (CMA) is the voice for Canada’s vibrant museum community, from small, volunteer-driven organizations to cherished national institutions, and for the millions of Canadians whose lives are enriched by museums. The CMA advocates for public policies and support, builds skills across the profession, and establishes and inspires connections to strengthen and sustain museum
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