Innovation and Tradition: Manitoba Museum’s Diverse Offerings
By D. Vienneau
When I think of a museum, I consider it a place of education where stories unfold through a collection of objects, art, and artifacts. Time seems to stand still in this space, inviting exploration into the depths of human history, creativity, and culture. Museums serve as a bridge between the past and the present, between people and ideas, between facts and imagination, often offering a rich blend of visual and tactile experiences.
Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Manitoba Museum is where history, nature, and science come alive. The immersive galleries, interactive exhibits, and thrilling shows offer an unforgettable experience that visitors will want to revisit time and again. It is Manitoba’s most extensive not-for-profit heritage and science centre featuring nine interpretive Galleries that take you through vastly different landscapes, times, and themes, a full-dome Planetarium and a hands-on Science Gallery.
The Manitoba Museum showcases the region’s heritage and natural wonders through a diverse collection of cultural artifacts and scientific specimens. It aims to conserve, collect, and share knowledge, fostering intercultural dialogue, understanding, and inclusivity. Since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action were released, the Museum has taken a significant step forward, redefining its purpose and taking meaningful steps toward healing and repairing relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It strives for transparency and active involvement of Indigenous communities in balancing historical colonial legacies with Indigenous perspectives, recognizing this as a challenging but essential commitment.
SAY Magazine recently spoke with Rachel Erickson, Director of Learning and Engagement, and Tashina Houle-Gaywish, Head of Indigenous Programming and Engagement, to learn more about the Museum, its diverse offerings and commitment to Indigenous cultural revitalization.
Erickson and the Learning and Engagement team work across the three main attractions, facilitating school programs, public programs, outreach, and activities related to these venues. Houle-Gaywish is part of that team and is responsible for developing and delivering Indigenous programming, as well as spearheading important Indigenous initiatives and Truth and Reconciliation events, such as Orange Shirt Day. She also collaborates with the Museum’s curatorial team to provide access to the collections for community members, artists, and anyone interested in viewing their ancestral belongings.
“I am an Anishinaabe-ikwe, and I take pride in my familial roots in both Kakakwekejeong (Ebb and Flow First Nation) and Tootinaowaziibeeng (Valley River). Although I didn’t grow up on-reserve, I was fortunate to have a culturally rich childhood, being raised on the land with bison, horses, dogs, and numerous farm cats,” says Houle-Gaywish. “Our ranch, located near the community of Waywayseecappo, provided us with the opportunity to visit with Elders, attend ceremonies, and hear our language. I cannot imagine where I would be today without this strong foundation, and I am deeply grateful for the meaningful lessons and guidance I received in my upbringing.”
Lessons learned in her youth are what drive Houle-Gaywish’s passion for the work she does at the Museum. “The Manitoba Museum is not only a museum, it’s a community,” she explains. “It’s a place that bridges people and cultures. We promote empathy and understanding, and we’re a trusted place of education. We have a lot of influence in our community, and it’s only right that we share the history and heritage of everybody who lives on this land.”
Houle-Gaywish explains that there is often a misconception that museums are a neutral, static place that remains in the past. “But that’s not true. We are a place of influence, and we strive to make a positive impact in our community,” she says.
“We are a lot of things, to a lot of different people, which is something we’re proud of,” says Erickson. “We do everything we can to make sure that we’re a place where everyone in the community feels welcome, whether that’s a family who just arrived in Manitoba and wants to just learn about the history of their new home, or whether that’s people who’ve lived here for all the generations of their family. Our responsibility as a museum is to care for the belongings of the Province of Manitoba.”
The Manitoba Museum is home to nearly three million artifacts and belongings. Their collection is incredibly diverse, as is their work and the programs they offer. “We have multiple collections from history and archaeology, to geology, zoology and botany,” explains Erickson. “We’re a place of research, so people come from all over the world to study the belongings, artifacts, and specimens that are in our care.”
A dynamic and constantly changing space, the Museum not only highlights its three main attractions but also creates experiences for groups and hosts innovative programming and special events for the community throughout the year, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous-focused programming.
One of the museum’s newest initiatives is an online language literacy game called Anishinaabemowin with Amik, designed to teach the Anishinaabe language. This project, which has been in development for a year and a half, involved collaborations with several partners. Micaela Gilbert, an Anishinaabe woman, created the illustrations. The game features 21 animals, many of which are also displayed in the museum galleries, allowing children to make real-world connections, such as identifying Mashkode Bizhiki(wag), the bison. The museum worked with their Indigenous Protocols Advisor, Carol Beaulieu, a fluent speaker and language teacher, who recorded all the audio.
Anishinaabemowin with Amik is a free, online language game to support learning and revitalization of Anishinaabemowin. © Micaela Gilbert
The versatile game transcends age and background, and can be played by anyone, anywhere. “I always try to connect its purpose to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, particularly call to action 14, which emphasizes the critical need to preserve and revitalize Indigenous languages. We envision this game being accessible to all, with plans to integrate it into galleries via QR codes,” says Houle-Gaywish.
The Manitoba Museum is also committed to connecting community members with its collections, including those not typically exhibited
in the galleries. “I think a lot of people don’t realize that, like most museums, we only have about three per cent of the belongings that are in our care on display,” says Erickson. “When you come as a visitor to the galleries, you’ll see thousands of beautiful and interesting things, but that’s just a sliver of what we’re caring for.” As a result, the museum aims to offer more behind-the-scenes access through connection events, art workshops and other initiatives. A program called Collections for Community partners with local Indigenous artists to host an intimate group of about 10 people for a few hours with the artist. Artists help choose a collection to complement their workshop. “It’s nice to be able to engage with real people and give those belongings the life that they deserve,” says Houle-Gaywish.
The Museum also prioritizes access for Indigenous communities and community members to view their ancestral belongings, providing opportunities for them to learn from and interact with these items. It’s essential to note that the museum offers an opportunity for anyone to search for their familial collections or artifacts.
For the past three years, Houle-Gaywish has dedicated her efforts to developing more interactive community events at the Museum. In her first year with the Museum, she developed and launched the Indigenous Motherhood program. “I was so young and so new at this job, but it ended up getting a lot of positive feedback. People messaged about how impactful it was for them, and that warmed my heart,” she says. On the curatorial side, a woman visited the museum one day and provided Tashina with the name of her community to see what she could find. “I pulled out a binder of photos and randomly flipped to a page, and the woman said, ‘Oh, that’s my father.’ This is why I do this job! It shows just how vital collection access is.”
For more information, visit manitobamuseum.ca
Sponsored by the Manitoba Museum
