Indigenous ingenuity: Timeless Inventions exhibit at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery

THUNDER BAY – Entertainment – Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) and Science North present the Indigenous ingenuity: timeless inventions exhibition, organized by the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

Indigenous Tourism Ontario and Science North will also develop and produce a customized version of Indigenous ingenuity to visit northern Ontario communities from June 2022 to June 2024, visiting dozens of small centers. The development of the personalized traveling exhibit and the Northern Ontario Tour will create a significant economic impact in the North through the growth and diversification of the tourism sector, as well as job creation.

the Indigenous ingenuity The traveling exhibition is a milestone in the presentation of Indigenous culture in Canada. The ancestral values ​​and knowledge of First Peoples are examined through the lens of science and innovation, presenting traditional indigenous knowledge and techniques alongside modern science. The exhibit offers visitors the unique opportunity to explore and interact with several Indigenous inventions and shows how the ingenuity of First Peoples continues to influence our society today. Using innovative technology, visitors will activate interactive exhibits, challenges and videos that demonstrate the wealth of Indigenous innovations that are part of our daily lives.

Discover the link between ancestral knowledge and new technologies through a new thematic approach, an interactive RFID bracelet quest, collaborative games, real and projection objects, virtual reality and interactive murals. A rich program of workshops and ancillary events will immerse audiences in the rich heritage of Canada’s Indigenous peoples and their many contributions to modern innovations and technologies, while promoting hyperlocal tourism in Thunder Bay.

Indigenous ingenuity was developed by the Montreal Science Center in collaboration with over 100 contributors, including extensive pan-national consultation with Indigenous peoples and communities. It is an immersive and interactive experience that takes you across Canada to the heart of Indigenous innovation. Indigenous ingenuity: timeless inventions will be at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery until February 21, 2022.

“Indigenous ingenuity: timeless inventions is a spectacular and interactive exhibit that covers the history and geography of Canada to bridge the gap between modern science and Indigenous knowledge. The exhibit provides timely educational material while being a fun and exciting day. Learning about First Nations and Indigenous Peoples has never been more important, and I encourage everyone in Thunder Bay to visit, learn and have a good time, ”said Greg Rickford, Minister of Development of the North, Mines, Natural Resources and Forests, and Minister of Native Affairs.

“Indigenous tourism in Ontario offers unique opportunities to experience Indigenous heritage and culture through art, nature and other immersive experiences. Thanks to an additional investment of $ 150,000 from the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries to Indigenous ingenuity, Science North and Indigenous Tourism Ontario have created a memorable interactive exhibit that invites visitors of all ages to explore traditional Indigenous knowledge and techniques through the lens of science and innovation. I encourage everyone to safely participate in this exhibit and celebrate Indigenous heritage and ingenuity, ”commented  Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.

“Science North and Aboriginal Tourism Ontario are proud to collaborate to present this incredible exhibition at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. We are extremely proud to present this unique exhibit in Northern Ontario with the support of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund to bring this to fruition. immersive and educational exhibit and related programming, ”added Guy Labine, CEO of Science North.

“The collaboration between the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and Science North to present this exciting exhibition demonstrates what can happen when resources are pooled and groups with similar commitments to reconciliation work together for the people of our communities. Seeing and hearing the enthusiasm of school groups who have discovered Indigenous ingenuity at the Gallery is proof of the power of collaboration, ”concluded Sharon Godwin, Director of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

About Indigenous Tourism Ontario
ITO is a provincial, non-profit and membership association focused on building partnerships between associations, organizations, ministries and industry leaders in Ontario and Canada to support the growth of the Indigenous tourism in Ontario and beyond. Prior to the pandemic, as the only recognized voice of Indigenous tourism in Ontario, ITO represented the largest Indigenous tourism sector in Canada with more than 550 Indigenous tourism businesses contributing more than $ 622 million and nearly 13,000 jobs to it. Ontario economy. ITO aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of indigenous peoples through the development of tourism.

About Science North
Science North is Northern Ontario’s most popular tourist attraction and an educational resource operating the second and eighth largest science centers in Canada. Science North attractions include a science center, IMAX® theater, planetarium, butterfly gallery, special exhibit hall and Dynamic Earth: Home of the Big Nickel. Science North also oversees an award-winning international sales unit, which develops personalized, ready-to-use exhibits and multimedia experiences for sale to science centers, museums and other cultural institutions around the world. Science North, in partnership with Laurentian University, offers the first and only comprehensive science communication program in North America, a joint master’s and diploma program. As part of its mandate, Science North offers science experiments throughout Northern Ontario, including outreach activities in schools and festivals, summer science camps and more, and has a permanent base in Thunder Bay offering outreach activities in the Northwest.

About the Thunder Bay Art Gallery

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery has been in existence since 1976 and features exhibitions of work by contemporary Indigenous artists from across Canada and emerging and established artists from Northwestern Ontario. Traveling exhibitions and the work of Canadian and international artists are hosted by the Gallery for the benefit of the community and the artists who live there. In addition, the Gallery organizes its own traveling exhibitions which are used by other museums and galleries across the country. Education and awareness programs including courses, workshops and collaborative programs are presented to serve people from all walks of life. A permanent collection of over 1,600 works of art by Aboriginal artists and artists from Northwestern Ontario continues to grow and is owned and operated by the Gallery for the community.

About the Montreal Science Center
With more than 750,000 visitors annually, the Montreal Science Center is a complex dedicated to science and technology. It is characterized by its accessible and interactive approach and its promotion of local innovation and expertise. Its main sponsors are VOLVO, TELUS and La Presse +.

This event was funded by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, administered by the Attractions Fund Corporation cultural heritage of Ontario.