ABORIGINAL TRAINEES PRESENT TOONIK TYME, AN EXHIBIT ON THE INUIT FESTIVAL OF SPRING
Hull, Quebec, April 21, 1999 — The participants in the Aboriginal Training Programme in Museum Practices of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation present the exhibit Toonik Tyme, an Inuit Spring Festival. The exhibit will be presented in a display case in the First Peoples Hall from April 26, 1999 to April 2001.
Since 1993, the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation has gathered Aboriginal participants from throughout Canada for professional and technical training in museology. From September to April, the trainees acquire skills in different divisions of the Museum. As part of the training programme, they participate in the development of an exhibit by carrying out all stages from research to the selection of artifacts.
This year, to highlight the creation of Nunavut, the five trainees have chosen to illustrate the spring festival called Toonik Tyme. This festival allows Inuit and non-Inuit people to meet together for several days of traditional and contemporary activities in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut. The trainees have chosen artifacts from Inuit art, ethnology and archaeology collections to demonstrate the different ceremonies, games and competitions that take place during the festival. Through art, photographs and texts, this display relates the importance of the return of the sun, which signifies the arrival of spring for the Inuit people.
The trainees — Suzy Basile, Atikamekw of Wemotaci, Jean-François Desmarais O'Bomsawin, Abenaki of Odanak, Marie-Louise Niquay, Atikamekw of Manawan, Maynard Marshall, Mi'Kmaw of Potlotek, and Barbara Matheson, Mi'Kmaw of Whycocomagh — report their satisfaction with the involvement of the Inuit in this exhibit and would like to emphasize the special collaboration of René Otak, Inuk of Igloolik.
The media can meet the trainees to hear their comments on Tuesday, April 27, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. in the First Peoples Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, located at 100 Laurier Street in Hull, Quebec.
Information (media):
Media Relations Officer: (819) 776-7169
Senior Media Relations Officer: (819) 776-7167
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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