Fact Sheet

The First Peoples Hall

Special Programming

For the opening of the First Peoples Hall and in celebration of Canada's First Peoples, the Canadian Museum of Civilization has prepared a plethora of activities and special events. Aimed to reach visitors of all ages, programmes will showcase the diversity and richness of Aboriginal artistic expression and explore many facets of Aboriginal traditions, history and contributions.

George Leach in Concert
January 31 - 8 p.m. - Grand Hall
Join us for an electrifying concert with George Leach, rock 'n slide blues singer from Lillooet, B.C., chosen best male artist in 2000 at the Aboriginal Music Awards.
Tickets: $15 (Members $13) at the Box Office or through Ticketmaster.

David Maracle - Earth Fusion
February 1 - 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. - Southern Salon
Acclaimed Iroquois flutist David Maracle and instrumentalist David Finkle bring you a soulful melding of Aboriginal songs with bluegrass, jazz and Celtic.

Arctic Beat - Inuit Cultural Performers
February 2 - 1 p.m. - Southern Salon
Young Inuit performers demonstrate drum dancing, throat singing and ayaya singing.

Jig it up!
March 29 - 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.; March 30 - 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. - Southern Salon
Learn to jig the Métis way accompanied by legendary fiddler John Arcand.

If the Weather Permits - World Premiere!
A National Film Board of Canada production
Directed by Elisapie Isaac and produced by Yves Bisaillon
March 20 - 7 :00 p.m. English; 8:00 p.m. French - CMC Theatre
In an Inuit society fraught with rapid change, this film portrays the struggle of elders to maintain their culture and the reality of young people who live between two worlds. This evening's screening includes a short Inuit musical performance and a question period with director Elisapie Isaac. Light refreshments are served from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $8 at the Box Office or through Ticketmaster.

Redskins, Tricksters and Puppy Stew
A National Film Board of Canada production
Produced by Silva Basmajian and directed by Drew Hayden Taylor
March 22 - 7:00 p.m. - Southern Salon
Join us for a laugh-a-minute road trip through the world of Aboriginal humour. Evening screening includes a live stand-up comedic performance by Ottawa's own Don Kelly and open mike discussion with the film's director and renowned playwright, Drew Hayden Taylor.
Tickets: $8 at the Box Office or through Ticketmaster.

First Scientists - World Premiere!
An Exploration Production Inc. film
Written and directed by Mark Sandiford
March 25 - 7:00 p.m. - Southern Salon
A fast-paced introduction to the breadth of Native Canadian science and technology. The documentary uses examples ranging from igloo geometry to food chemistry to forest ecology to show how traditional knowledge is as valuable today as it ever was. Stay with us after the screening for an interesting panel discussion.
Tickets: $8 at the Box Office or through Ticketmaster.

How the Fiddle Flows
A National Film Board of Canada release
Directed & written by Greg Coyes
Produced by Leigh Badgley, Ava Karvonen, Bonnie Thompson and Jerry Krepakevich
March 28 - 7:00 p.m. - Southern Salon
A spirited journey with Métis fiddlers and dancers. Evening includes a talk by writer-director Gregory Coyes.
Tickets: $8 at the Box Office or through Ticketmaster.

Listening Through the Wind
February 7 - 10:00 p.m.; February 8 and 9 - 11:30 a.m. - Southern Salon
With masks, music and storytelling, Nathalie Picard, of the Huron-Wendat Nation, transports us to a world of Amerindian traditions that evoke nature and the cycle of the seasons.

What's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know about Horses?
February 8 and 9 - Book Readings: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. - First Peoples Hall; Workshops: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Northern Salon
Join us for readings from the enchanting children's book by Aboriginal Author Richard Van Camp on the magic and mystery of horses. Camp was named most promising author under 30 by the Canadian Authors Association. Then visit our workshop where kids can create colourful animal masks.

Carve Me a Story
March 6 - Storytelling and Music - 1:00 p.m. - Grand Hall
Meet Haida carver Christian White, who will bring to life the stories depicted on his sculptures through storytelling and music.
March 8 - Jewellery workshop - 1:00 p.m. - Grand Hall
Join Christian White and learn how to design and craft your own medallion necklace.

Stephen Augustine
February 1 and 2 - 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. - Info Desk
Join curator and Hereditary Chief of the Mi'kmaq Nation, Stephen Augustine, for a special tour of the First Peoples Hall.

Dr. Jean-Luc Pilon
February 8 and 9 - 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. - Info Desk
Learn about First Peoples' ancient relationship with the land on a special tour with archaeologist Dr. Jean-Luc Pilon.

Native Kitchen
February 1 and 2 - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Southern Salon
Aboriginal chef Arnold Olson, winner of the 1992 Culinary Olympics in Germany, demonstrates and serves samples of Native cuisine with a modern twist.

Stories from the Canadian Arctic
February 7 - 2 p.m. Cascade Salon
Jose A. Kusugak, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, talks about life in the Canadian Arctic and his involvement in the creation of Nunavut.

The Abenakis Today
February 21 - 12 p.m. - Cascade Salon
Nicole O'Bomsawin, Director of the Abenaki Museum of Odanak, recounts the past and present of her people. (In French)

Where Are the Children? - Healing the Legacy of the Residential Schools
February 28 - Noon - Cascades Salon
Artist-photographer Jeffrey Thomas presents historical photographs documenting the history of residential schools.

The Revival of Haida Art
March 7 - 2:00 p.m. - Grand Hall
Meet Christian White, an internationally recognized artist whose work encompasses large monumental poles, argillite sculptures, jewelry and canoes for an informal talk on the revival of Haida art. Christian also shares some stories, ancient and new.

First Gardens
May 15 - Noon, English; 2:00 p.m., French - Cascades Salon
Discover plants and herbs, long used by the Iroquois as medicines or delicacies, in your own back yard. Join us for herbal teas and dessert.