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Fact Sheet |
The First Peoples Hall
Project Background
The Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) opened in 1989.
In 1991 Dr. George MacDonald, the Museum's then-President and CEO, committed a large area on Level 1, around and behind the Museum's Grand Hall, to exhibitions dedicated to the First Peoples of Canada.
The First Peoples Hall Consultation Committee first met in the fall of 1992. Its members, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, brought to the task their experience as staff curators and outside cultural experts. They were asked to develop an exhibition that would present thousands of years of history. The Consultation Committee was committed to ensuring that the Hall's exhibits would reflect the voices of the First Peoples.
Thirteen guiding principles were developed for the elaboration of the First Peoples Hall. These principles addressed issues of voice and of the relationship of messages to artifacts. They established the principal themes and main exhibition areas and proposed the adoption of a contemporary exhibit design.
As this work proceeded, the Museum continued to create and present temporary exhibitions on the history and cultures of Canada's First Peoples. Successful exhibitions such as Legends of Our Time, Reservation X and Wave Eaters complemented the permanent displays of the Grand Hall and other Museum programmes.
In 1994, a storyline committee was established to develop the long-term exhibits of the First Peoples Hall. It was a delicate task to address the history and accomplishments of Aboriginal peoples and truly do justice to so complex and multifaceted a subject matter. The storyline and design concept were finally approved in 1998.
Then began the final research for the Hall and the fabrication and production of its numerous components. The CMC is proud to open its First Peoples Hall early in 2003. The First Peoples Hall will contribute to explaining the diversity and richness of Aboriginal cultures and shaping views about First Peoples' remarkable history.
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