Exhibition of Canadian Aboriginal masterworks to open in Mexico City

Posted on: 08/10/2010

Exhibition of Canadian Aboriginal masterworks to open in Mexico City

Gatineau, Quebec, October 8, 2010 — The most comprehensive collection of Canadian Aboriginal artifacts ever to tour internationally will complete its three-continent journey at the Museo Nacional de las Culturas in Mexico City.

First Peoples of Canada: Masterworks from the Canadian Museum of Civilization highlights the diversity, continuity and creativity of Canada’s First peoples from the earliest times to the present day.

“In honour of our neighbouring country’s centenary celebrations, we are proud to present some of our national treasures in Mexico City,” said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “Canada’s Aboriginal peoples are not only part of our contemporary society but they also have unique expressions of cultural heritage that stretches back thousands of years.”

The artifacts in First Peoples of Canada are remarkably varied in age, style, materials and purpose. The oldest is a stone projectile point that is more than 10,000 years old and the most recent is an exquisite fur dance-parka, hand sewn in 2002–2003. These items represent Aboriginal cultures from across Canada, notably the West Coast, the Prairies, the Great Lakes region and the Far North.

An earlier version of the exhibition was presented in Beijing, China, during the 2008 Summer Olympics. It was also shown at the Niedersächsischen Landesmuseum (Lower Saxony State Museum) in Hannover, Germany, and at the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka, Japan. Close to 100,000 people have seen this exhibition so far, in these different venues.

First Peoples of Canada is completing its world tour at Mexico City’s Museo Nacional de las Culturas. This newly-renovated museum presents not only exhibitions about Mexico’s rich culture but also introduces visitors to world cultures, past and present.

The exhibition will be on display from October 6, 2010 to January 23, 2011, as Mexico celebrates its Bicentennial.

Media Information:

Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7167

Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7169

Fax: 819 776-7187