by Tom Sasvari
MANITOULIN—The Ojibway Cultural Foundation will be one of the sites that the Indigenous Ingenuity: (Anishinaabewin Maamninendimowin: Pane Gii-Bite) Timeless Inventions unique travelling exhibition will be visiting this summer.
Indigenous people from North America have long demonstrated a great sense of ingenuity, using nature as inspiration. The world we know today is influenced by their innovations and scientific knowledge. The exhibition will invite visitors to experience the innovative processes that give rise to Indigenous knowledge by observing nature as a source of inspiration, listening to bearers of knowledge, experimenting with scientific principles and sharing acquired knowledge by passing it on to others.
The exhibition presents a clever and novel mix of science and culture intended to stir a sense of pride among First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities and celebrate the diversity, interconnectedness, and resourceful ways of knowing and being, that Indigenous knowledge and innovations provide in the global community.
Kevin Eshkawkogan, chief executive officer of Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) explained, “We are the co-developers of the exhibit with Science North and looked at how we could bring an exhibit like this to our communities; and by working with tourism activities operators in the communities, that would develop experiences for visitors.”
He pointed out the exhibition will include things like traditional dwellings, knowledge about animals with video that Science North took across Northern Ontario, dream catchers and much more. “There be science involved as well as cultural and spiritual teachings, and traditional activity.”
“The OCF will be the host of the exhibit on its visit to the Island and Science North helped create the exhibit,” said Mr. Eshkawkogan.
Science North’s Nick Ryma said the exhibition is a novel mix of science and culture intended to stir a sense of pride among First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities with the OCF and the M’Chigeeng First Nation being one of 20 communities in Northern Ontario hosting the show.
The travelling exhibition will be hosted at the OCF from April 21 to May 19.
The exhibition will travel across the North over the next two years.
The Indigenous Ingenuity: Timeless Inventions travelling exhibition is proudly supported by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, and the Government of Canada.
