Welland Museum’s Our Voices exhibit makes positive impact
The goal was to start conversations about Indigenous cultures, and Welland Museum has done just that with its Our Voices exhibit.
The exhibit, which opened in late September, featured Indigenous artifacts and artwork by Norval Morriseau. The exhibit was in celebration of Canada 150 and the different narratives the country has to tell.
The exhibit closed on Saturday. Museum curator Penny Morningstar said it had a great run.
“It’s been good for not just us, but it’s been good for the community that’s attended,” she said.
She called having it “profound” because of the conversations and learning experiences generated by it. She said museum visitors had nothing but positive things to say.
The exhibit had 13 paintings and a number of static pieces, but there were also events and different aspects of the exhibit that were highlighted along the way.
For instance, the Métis culture received a few nods during the exhibit.
Brian Kon, chair of the Niagara Region Métis Council, visited the exhibit twice, both times creating dot art pieces which he said are reminiscent of beadwork on Métis clothing.
He was joined by Garry Laframboise, senator of the council, and both were sharing bits of their people’s culture with visitors who came through.
They each had a lot to share about both the traditions and history of the Métis, including about residential schools, its own unique language called Michif, and how the people were treated. Kon and Laframboise also emphasized the importance of recognizing the Métis as its own Indigenous group and differentiating it from the First Nations.
They said as well that many people feel they are Métis simply because they have mixed blood, but although that is a part of what being Métis is, that’s not all. The person must be able to trace their lineage back to before Canada was a nation.
Kon said people have been mostly receptive. There is some skepticism among the older generation that learned a different narrative, he said, but younger folks are pretty open. He said others expressed just how unaware they were of the Métis heritage and the intricacies of it.
Laframboise said it has been a heartwarming experience because of how respectful people have been.
Although the exhibit is now closed, the learning doesn’t stop.
The Morriseau paintings were on loan, Morningstar said, but parts of the exhibit are permanent to the museum and will return to their usual places.
Additionally, the museum secured $ 40,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation last year which is going toward programming in local schools. She said, in conjunction with Indigenous leaders and consultants, the museum has put together educational packages to be used in the classroom.
She said the museum is hoping to be able to do more Indigenous exhibits in the future.