Singapore - Canada Indigenous Relations

Canada's Aboriginal people have gained profile in Singapore through a landmark exhibition at the city-state's most prestigious venue, the Singapore Art Museum, and a series of supporting activities organized by the Museum and the Canadian High Commission.

"Inspirit Crossing: The Making of First Nations and Inuit Art" was the first non-Asian exhibition to be fully curated by the SAM. The exhibition showcased 77 art works of the First Nations people from the North West Coast and the Inuit culture from the arctic North, over a period of two months in 2000.

In order to facilitate a better understanding of the exhibition, a programme of accompanying events was arranged including the visit of Haida Chief Jim Hart for the exhibition's launch, followed by a carving demonstration and talk cum video screening on the raising of a totem pole. Other events include video screenings of Inuit and First Nations art and culture, a children's painting workshop, story-telling sessions, drama workshops, sculpture workshops, as well as a writing workshop.

For more information, please visit the Canadian High Commission in Singapore website at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/singapore/

or contact Bob Paquin at bob.paquin@dfait-maeci.gc.ca