BOOZHOO GAKINA AWIIYAG!
COME CELEBRATE THE EVER-EVOLVING WORLD OF INDIGENOUS INGENUITY!
Indigenous peoples from North America have long demonstrated a great sense of ingenuity, using nature as inspiration. The world we know today was in part fashioned by their innovations and approaches to science. Designed around an interactive quest, the exhibition invites 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
- SHARING acquired knowledge by passing it on to others
This exhibition presents a clever and novel mix of science and culture intended to stir a sense of pride among First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities.
MAKING THE LINK BETWEEN ANCESTRAL KNOWLEDGE AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES
NOVEL THEMATIC APPROACH
The Indigenous Ingenuity exhibition stands as a milestone in the presentation of Indigenous culture across the land. It is one of the first times that First People’s ancestral values and knowledge have been broached through the lens of science and innovation. Traditional Indigenous knowledge and techniques are presented alongside modern science, as mutually complementary.
COLLABORATIVE GAMES
Through both technology quest and hands on experiences, visitors will discover the tools and skills required to accomplish tasks such as building an igloo from foam blocks, erect a tipi and recreate an inukshuk.
INTERACTIVE BRACELET
Equipped with an RFID bracelet, visitors set out on a quest to collect 26 Indigenous innovations spread out across the exhibition’s 62 challenges. More specifically, visitor bracelets trigger mechanical, multimedia and hybrid interactive features.
REAL OBJECTS AND PROJECTION, VIRTUAL REALITY, AND INTERACTIVE MURALS
Throughout this original quest, you will discover many interactive hybrids. Visitors are invited to kneel before a horizontal screen for the ulu knife interactive. Their challenge is to scrape a virtual seal skin after choosing among three different tools at their disposal as real 3D objects. Visitors can then test their choice directly on the touch screen.
DAILY WORKSHOPS
The following workshops are available on a rotating schedule which is subject to change at any time.
From Amik to Giizhik
How do you say “beaver” in Ojibway? What comes to mind when you experience the smell of cedar? Discover and learn about the animals and plants of the Northern Boreal Forest through hands-on interactions with real specimens! You’ll also learn the importance of these individuals and items as they were before confederation and how they still are today.
Indigenous Ingenuity is presented by Indigenous Tourism Ontario and Science North. Proudly supported by NOHFC and Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund. Developed and produced by Montréal Science Centre.
