Civilization.ca adds three new Web modules
Gatineau, Quebec, April 27, 2005 — The Canadian Museum of Civilization has launched three new Web modules. Located at www.civilization.ca/clic/, they provide a unique learning opportunity for those interested in Canada’s Aboriginal heritage, immigration history, and French-Canadian culture.
Each module is a fully searchable database containing a wealth of material selected from the museum’s archives and collections. The modules provide virtual access to tens of thousands of artifacts and other sound and image archives, making them more accessible to the public. Thanks to funding provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage — and to the wonders of digital imaging — the objects can now be accessed by anyone with an Internet connection.
The three modules have been added to the Museum’s Web site, Civilization.ca, an award-winning and much-used Web resource. The new modules are particularly attractive because they include specially designed games and activities that are both entertaining and educational.
“These are wonderful additions to our Web site,” said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “They are a major addition to what is Canada’s largest museum Web site. They make the tremendous resources of this institution more accessible in Canada and around the world, especially for young people who are Internet savvy and eager to learn about the history of Canada and its people.”
The first module is titled Marius Barbeau: A Canadian Hero and His Era, 1883–1969. Barbeau was one of the most active and acclaimed anthropologists of his generation. He devoted much of his professional life to understanding and documenting the folk culture of French Canada and the customs and traditions of Aboriginal peoples. This module showcases 15,000 artifacts and archival items collected or documented by Barbeau, including wax cylinder recordings, historic images and manuscripts. It is a true national treasure, now accessible online.
The second module is entitled Gateway to Aboriginal Heritage. It explores the diversity, creativity, resourcefulness and endurance of Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. It does so by providing easy access to 30,000 historical images and artifacts ranging from stone tools to beautifully adorned clothing. Among the more remarkable collections are historic photographs taken in the Arctic in the last century by researchers with the Geological Survey of Canada and by Peter Pitseolak, an Inuit photographer and historian.
The title of the third module is Crossroads of Culture: Exploring 200 Years of Canadian Immigration, 1800–2000. It traces the evolution of Canada’s cultural mosaic from the colonial era to the modern day. In the process, it documents the diverse cultural influences that have enriched our society and informed our national identity. About 130 cultural groups are represented in the module’s collection of 5,000 artifacts, documents and images. School children are invited to test and enhance their knowledge of Canada’s multicultural heritage through activities such as colouring, interactive quizzes and memory games.
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is the country’s largest repository of cultural artifacts and its most-visited cultural institution. Its Web site, Civilization.ca, was launched in 1994 and last year recorded about six million visits and 56 million page requests.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through Canadian Culture Online.
Media Information:
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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