Knowledge Through Research

Research in four key fields -- archaeology, history, folk culture and ethnology -- furthers the Museum's mandate of helping Canadians better understand their heritage and culture. The knowledge gained through research is used to develop collections and is brought to the public through exhibitions, lectures, traditional and electronic publications, and educational programmes.

Archaeology

The Archaeological Survey of Canada (ACS) conducted field research in Canada, northern Russia and Alaska this year. Survey staff delivered numerous lectures and papers, produced many scholarly publications and contributed to the development of CMC exhibitions. These included exhibitions on Palaeo-Eskimo culture and palaeolithic figurines and a Maya dig-site reconstruction. Much of the Survey's work was in collaboration with aboriginal peoples and other groups.

Other Highlights

• Repatriation of ancestral artifacts and human remains to several aboriginal communities.
• Forensic studies at Simon Fraser University and at the Royal British Columbia Museum.
• An analysis of skeletal remains for a Native community in British Columbia (Laxgalt'ap Village Government).
• Fieldwork in the Thunder Bay area, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation.
• Continued location of an ASC curator in New Brunswick for fieldwork in the region and outreach to local clients and agencies.

History

History Division researchers worked extensively on developing exhibits for the Canada Hall, Phase II. They conducted a number of research field trips; collected text, images, and artifacts; worked on storylines and themes; consulted with resource people and communities; and participated in fund raising for this major new Museum project.

Other Key Achievements

• Close collaboration continued with major Canadian history museums on various research, exhibition and publishing ventures. Cooperation was carried on with Parks Canada and the Province of Quebec in archaeological projects.
• Participation in the development of a Canadian Museum of Immigration in Montreal.
• Production of a major publication on Implementing Diversity in Museums (based on papers to the Canadian Museums Association conference).
• A major acquisition this year was a 1938 Fargo truck, to be exhibited beside the CPR boxcar in the Canada Hall.

Canadian Ethnology Service (CANES)

A major focus for CANES this year was the development of various components of the new First Peoples Hall. Members of CANES staff were deeply involved in research, consultations with aboriginal representatives and in laying the groundwork for the Hall's exhibitions. (See section on the First Peoples Hall.) CANES also continued with follow-up activities and interpretation for two major exhibitions that opened in the previous fiscal year: Isumavut and Threads of the Land.

With suspension of the CMC acquisition budget this year, CANES focused more on obtaining donations of artifacts, photographs and other materials.

Aboriginal Training Programme in Museum Practices (ATPMP)

Since its launch in 1993, this important programme has given 21 aboriginal people on-the-job training in museum practices. This year saw the introduction of short-term training in order to draw Inuit participants. As a result, two Inuit students completed a two-month practicum (in conjunction with the Inuit Art Foundation). Another student from the Tungasuvvingat Inuit Training Program benefited from a three-week practicum.

Other Highlights

• Consultations with members of aboriginal communities on the identification, care and handling of sacred materials in the CMC collections. Consultations focused on Plains groups and Six Nations communities. In particular, Native input was sought on False Face masks.
• Participation in negotiations with the Nisga'a of British Columbia on the repatriation of cultural artifacts, as part of their comprehensive land claim settlement.

The Canadian Centre for Folk Culture Studies (CCFCS)

The CCFCS focused on exploring the cultures of an increasingly diverse Canadian population in order to promote inter-cultural understanding and foster a sense of Canadian identity.

Major Achievements

• Research and development work for major exhibitions on Quebec folk art and on the Doukhobors.
• Research into cultures, traditions and lifestyles of various Canadian communities; namely, Arab, Italian, Portuguese, Celtic, Slavic, Franco-Canadians, Laotian, Cambodian and Chinese.

Development Work on:

• African storytelling traditions in Canada;
• rustic furniture;
• symbols in African art and culture;
• traditions of Canadians of Japanese origin;
• Chinese hand-laundries;
• the work of two Middle Eastern painters (two separate publications);
• work on a multimedia interactive production of folk art in the CMC collections;
• Documentation of the Museum's puppet collection for an upcoming exhibition;
• Religious iconography: the art of Slavic-Canadian artists.

Partnerships

• An agreement between the CMC and the National Library of Canada for transfer of the material culture collection from the Library's music division to the CMC.
• The implementation of a musical instrument loan programme, based on the Opus exhibition collection, to professional musicians. The CMC logo will appear on publicity materials for resulting concerts, recordings, etc.

Major Acquisitions