Canadian Museum of History Tour ~ Look Beyond the Sights & Sounds ~ Scoop Continues ...

Our Tour at the Canadian Museum of History and “THE INSIDE SCOOP” welcomes you to join in some “Scoop” with our Tour guide Michel.

Before we started, some points of interest that Michel mentioned, that he felt were important to share with us, was that the Museum is “mobility impaired” compatible. That means that folks with any walking issues can still get around the Museum. Elevators accommodate to assist with transition from level to level. The restrooms and parking are mobility friendly also.

Canadian Museum of History ~ The Grand Hall
Ontario Visited view from above

As we stood at the main entrance inside, a lower level welcomes you to “The Grand Hall” a newly renovated Northwest Coast permanent exhibition of a 1900 century village. This area explores the rich and vibrant culture of the Canada’s First Peoples. It represents their histories, cultural identities, artistic expressions and traditional and contemporary ways of life. High above the ceiling looks like a dug out canoe. The walls, if you look closely, resemble large canoe paddles. The granite floor represents a body of water. This exhibit was created with collaboration with the University of British Columbia and the Native Peoples. It was very important when developing this exhibit that “their voice” was heard.

Each artifact is placed by themes rather than by communities. The mandates have changed and the Village is now more open. There is a flow of the continuity of the artifacts.

The steps leading to the Village areas symbolize a beach. The tide pool shows the food source that embraced the Village so many years before. The “treasure troves of archeology” and the ability to learn and enrich your knowledge can be appreciated by all.

Tour Guide Michel & Judi "Scoop" McWilliams ~ Ontario Visited
The Grand Hall ~ Canadian Museum of History

Our tour guide explained the significance of the totem polls. They tell the stories of the peoples from far ago. The Commemoration Poll in the centre is made of red cedar. Michel tells us this was a great wood to work with, it kept the insects away. Some of the polls are hollow; they dry up and actually become stronger. Prior to our “modern days” it would take over 100 people to put up a totem poll. Interestingly enough, I just watch a television program where a massive transport forklifts truck actually got upending by underestimating the weight of erecting a totem poll. …So much for technology.

Stay tuned for Canadian Museum of History Tour ~ “Food for thought” … “when you’re full, you’re full” ~ our Tour continues. In the meantime, if you wish to visit their website, check it out at http://www.historymuseum.ca/home .